Page 5 of Mistletoe Magic

“Please think about it. After the tree lighting, my mom is watching Lisa for me. See if Alyssa can find a babysitter for Timmy. We all can go out, and you can meet the dude, feel him out and go from there.”

“Fine. Oh, great. Speaking of weddings, here comes my mother and Bitchzilla.”

“There you are. Maisy said you were here. You aren’t answering your phone.” My mother stands there acting like she’s about to die from frostbite.

“I left it in the office. Shit. What do you need now?”

“We’re going to finish up the orders for the flowers and my last dress fitting. Do you want to come with us?” my sister Michele asks. She knows I won’t be as harsh with her when mom is standing in front of me.

“Thanks for the invite, but no. I have plans. So very sorry.” I act like I’m very disappointed but smirk at Michele. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going back to skating before the kids get here.” I skate away and hear my mom yelling my name. I turn to look at her, “What?”

“You’ll be at that wedding. You don’t get to say no.” Michele left, so it’s just the two of us. I swallow hard, trying to keep the tears from flowing in front of her. I can’t let them see me cry. I’m not paying attention to what I’m doing and trip over my foot, crashing on the ice headfirst. I scream out in pain.

What else can go wrong?

Hunter

Jack hadme waiting in the locker room so I could meet Ava. He came back because her sister was there. I took it upon myself to head into the rink if she needed someone to back her up. What I saw was a mother being a bitch to her daughter. I could actually see the pain in Ava’s eyes. How could she not? I step forward once she’s gone, and all I hear is a scream, so I run out onto the ice.

“Don’t move. Let me check you out,” I tell her.

“I was so stupid,” she cries, “I tripped on my foot. Ow.” She moves her head after I touch the lump forming.

“Sorry. Do you have an ice pack? This lump is getting bigger. I don’t think you have a concussion, though. Do you know where you are?”

“Celebration Ice,” she says.

“What’s your name?”

“Ava Richfield.”

“What’s my name?” She tilts her head, studying me.

“I don’t know. I’ve never met you before.”

“Hunter King. I believe your buddy Jack is setting us up for a beer tonight.”

“And your dad is setting us up for a business lunch.” She laughs, and it’s music to my ears.

“My dad?” I say, and she explains her talk with him. “Is he still here?”

“Let’s head to the office and find out. That’s where the ice packs are.” I try to help her up, and she walks gingerly toward the opened gate. Taking off her skates, she puts on Grinch slippers.

“Cute,” I chuckle.

“Thank you. My godson Timmy and I have matching pairs. Follow me.” She’s wobbly, so I grab her waist.

“I’m not letting go, so don’t argue.”

“I was going to say thank you. I don’t feel so good,” she tells me. “I think I’m going to be sick.” I look around for something for her to throw up in and spot a large garbage can.

“Come here.” She bends over and starts throwing up. I pull her red hair back, so she doesn’t get the throw-up in it. There’s a woman that comes over to us. “Can you get us an ice pack and a bottle of water or ginger ale?”

She rushes off.

“This is so disgusting. I’m so sorry. The office is around the corner, first door on the left.” Her voice is hoarse. I feel bad for her. She was so upset with her mom she wasn’t paying attention to what she was doing. “I was so stupid. They know how to get under my skin.”

“Here is the ice pack and water. What happened?” the young blonde asks.

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