Page 26 of Mistletoe Kisses

I followed Arlo over to the blind date with a book display.

“Whoa. Over half the books are gone already. Unless Ron put some in the back?”

“Nope. Those are all sales.” Ron approached with a huge smile almost as big as the one made of rocks on the snowperson’s face plastered across his sweater. “You’re brilliant, Arlo. It’s been an incredible event, and we’re not even halfway through! It’s been our best sales day all year.” He said the last more quietly.

“Really? That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you.” Arlo’s enthusiasm was so sweet.

“We’ve had people place orders for other books and say they’re going to come back and do some Christmas shopping.” Ron shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”

A woman approached and asked Ron about a book in her hand.

“I’m happy to help.” He turned back to us. “Go grab some of Karen’s cheesecake bites before they’re gone.”

“I do like cheesecake.” Arlo smiled.

“Shall we?” I gestured toward the food table nearby.

Arlo blushed again. I was growing addicted to those blushes.How far down do they go? Does his skin flush to his nipples?Not the time and place for those thoughts. I put a pause on my fantasies for the time being, but the balsam scent of his body wash wasn’t helping my imagination shift to G-rated.

After we filled our plates, Arlo pointed out some of his favorite books, and I showed him a few of mine. Our lists overlapped a fair amount, which made me want to read the other ones, so I made a mental note to come back and pick a couple of them up. Reading more of his favorite books might help me get to know him better.

“Arlo, you’re here!”

I saw a flash of olive skin and bright-red nails wrap around Arlo’s arm. I turned to see Karen absolutely beaming.

“I haven’t seen Ron this excited in years. Thank you!” She pulled him into a hug. My heart broke at the yearning on Arlo’s face. When she released him, she turned to me. “Lucas! Good to see you. It’s been a while. Are you doing well?”

“I am, thanks. How are you?”

“Wonderful, thanks to this one. Isn’t he the best? We might need to keep him.” She jerked her thumb toward Arlo.

He looked like he was going to combust. His eyes got so wide I thought he would shouteggnog!I gave him an encouraging smile.

Karen turned back to Arlo. “You’ll have to come over for dinner before you leave so we can properly thank you. Are you free on Saturday?”

Arlo gave me a look I couldn’t decipher. He was leaving too soon. I was just starting to get to know him, though it felt like I’d known him forever. It was cruel to lose that now.

“Of course you’re invited too, Lucas.” Karen smiled at me.

I would normally decline an invitation made out of obvious politeness, but Arlo’s lip nibbling grew more intense, so I made a split-second judgment call that I hoped was right. “That sounds great. I’m free Saturday night, but I’m not sure what Arlo has going on. Are you available?” I wanted him to make the choice, but I also wanted him to know I’d be by his side if he needed me.

“That sounds great. Thank you.” He looked at me again with his eyebrows raised. I nodded.

“Wonderful. Give me your number, and I’ll text you our address.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and handed it to Arlo. “Now go get more food before it runs out.”

“I wouldn’t mind seconds,” I said.

She smiled and waved before gliding over to another group of people.

Arlo turned his wide eyes to me. “Are you sure? You don’t have to do that.”

I squeezed his wrist, and a spark raced up my arm. Arlo licked his lips as his eyes flared. We both looked down at where our bodies were connected.

“I know I don’t, but I want to. You think I’m going to turn down more time with you?”

A pleased little smile took over Arlo’s face.

“More food?”

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