Page 32 of Mistletoe Kisses

“Going to visit the Dahlia Lane lights before it closes.”

She paused in setting the security system. “That’s…romantic.”

I frowned as the cool bite in the air nipped at the back of my neck. “What’s wrong with romantic?”

Kayla’s mouth twisted into a wry smile. “Nothing. Just haven’t heard you mention anyone special, and your go-to is usually drinks.”

“Well, the lights only happen once a year. And this guy is only in town for the week.”

“Oh yeah. Get it.” She made a lewd hand gesture.

I laughed as we walked together to our cars.

“Any chance it’s with that adorable redhead you couldn’t stop flirting with the other day?”

I wasn’t one to embarrass easily—outside of a very specific festival-based circumstance—but my cheeks burned. “Yes. Arlo.”

“Arlo? Aww, that’s the cutest name! I hope you have a great time tonight. You said he’s in town for the week. Does he live far away?”

I sighed. “Minnesota.”

“Oh. That sucks.” She frowned.

“It does. Thanks again for finishing up tonight. Have a good one.”

“You too!” She climbed into her car as I unlocked mine.

I couldn’t wait to see Arlo. I’d been buzzing about our date all day. Even the reminder that he’d be leaving soon to return to a place way out of driving distance couldn’t get me down. I was determined to enjoy every minute I could with him. Life was better lived when embracing the joy than dreading the pain. In most situations, anyway.

Before I started my car, I texted Arlo to let him know I was on my way. It only took a few minutes to get there, but it only took a few minutes to get anywhere in Dahlia Springs proper. As I turned onto the cul-de-sac, I immediately wished I had sunglasses. How that B&B wasn’t tanking the town’s power grid was beyond me.

Lights covered every straight edge of the house, and even made new ones. Strips of multicolored strands traced windows, doors, gutters, sidewalks. An army of inflatables filled the front yard, ranging from kinda cute to damn near creepy. One on the roof caught my attention. It was a reindeer pulling Santa from a chimney, but Santa seemed stuck only partway up. From the angle, and with Santa’s limited range of motion, it looked like Santa was spending a lot of time in the reindeer’s crotch…holy shit. I blinked away the sight, and my attention landed on the most alarming part: a set of dolls in a top-floor window staring down with flickering candle lights lining the windowsill, illuminating their soulless faces.

The light pollution was so distracting that I only spotted Arlo because his silhouette made a gap in the visual assault.

I rolled down the passenger window. “Your rescue chariot has arrived.”

“Thank god.” Arlo climbed in. “It’s even worse from the outside. At least the bedroom curtains are blackout.” My car filled with the sharp, woodsy scent of his body wash.

“Helps the dolls see you better in the dark.”

Arlo turned to me with a horrified expression. “I can’t believe you’d say that.”

“Clearly, you don’t know me well enough yet.”

Arlo’s hearty laugh was intoxicating.

“How was work?”

I glanced at him as I braked for a stop sign. He smiled casually and appeared genuinely interested. Huh. I’d been on more than my fair share of dates with people who when I said what I did for a living, asked what I was saving money for. Or, myfavorite, what I planned to do next. People always assumed serving was a pit stop to something else. A dead-end job. Something someonehadto do instead ofchoseto do.

I loved the work. I got to meet tons of people. I was part of celebrations, witnessed people enjoying foods and trying new things, and soaked up the energy of people being happy. And Caleb ensured all his employees got a free meal each shift. Who wouldn’t love delicious free food?

“It was a good day. A couple came in to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary. That was pretty special. How was your day?”

Arlo vibrated with excitement as he turned toward me in his seat. “I drove to the ocean!”

“That’s amazing! What was on your itinerary?”

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