Page 34 of Mistletoe Kisses

“In some ways, yes. It’s complicated. We talk often and know about each other’s lives, but I try not to rely on her too much. She’s done enough for me, and I don’t want to burden her more.”

My heart broke at his words. I opened my mouth, hoping the perfect sentiment would appear, but nothing did. Fortunately, he continued talking.

“My best friend, Keaton, is my family. His mom is so different from mine. Spending time with my mom is like being around the TV with the volume on low, but when I’m with Keaton’s family, it’s like surround sound.”

“That’s got to be jarring.”

Arlo laughed. “It is. More so at first, but I’ve gotten used to it. It took me a while to warm up to them, but they were persistent. I didn’t exactly get a lot of practice meeting friends’ families growing up. I was too introverted in school to make friends, and my mom worked so much that she didn’t make friends with other parents. I didn’t know what other moms were like.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets and let his mouth curve into a small smile. “But then I met Keaton, and he insisted we become best friends our first day as college roommates. He brought me home with him for Thanksgiving and then Christmas since my mom worked. And the rest is history.”

“Keaton and his family sound special.”

Arlo lit up brighter than the lights around us. “They really are.”

“They sound similar to Ron’s family from what I know of them. I don’t know them well, but having grown up here, you get to know the other families.”

Arlo curled into himself. “Are you trying to convince me to talk to them?”

I stopped and squeezed Arlo’s shoulder. “I’m just sharing what I know about them so you can make an informed decision that works best for you. I’m not invested in you telling them who you are. I’m invested in you doing what you need foryou.”

Arlo’s eyes went glassy before he turned away. “Thanks. Um, you mentioned something about hot chocolate?”

I grabbed his hand and led him down the sidewalk. The move felt right, so I didn’t question it. His hand fit perfectly in mine. “Last year, it was around the corner. You’re going to love this reindeer display ahead.”

The downside of Arlo wearing a bulky coat was that I still couldn’t see how far the blush went.

Chapter14

Arlo

“It’s this one.”Lucas tugged me to a stop, and I happily complied.

I tried to take in the home decorated like a gingerbread house but was completely distracted by Lucas’s fingers wrapped around mine. Was it a West Coast thing? I’d always heard people in the Pacific Northwest were friendly. Or was it a casual thing people did on a…date? I liked holding his hand. I hadn’t expected him to have calluses, but I enjoyed the light roughness.

“Isn’t this cool?” He smiled eagerly at me.

Right. I needed to pay attention. A Trans-Siberian Orchestra song was synced with lights blinking in time to the music. “It is! I can’t imagine how much work people put in.” It wasn’t just this house. At least two dozen of them along the long street were well beyond decked out with boughs of holly.

“Living in this neighborhood is a lifestyle. If anyone sells a house, which is rarer than a blue supermoon, the buyer has to sign a contract that outlines the required participation in this event. The most festive and wealthy people in town live on Dahlia Lane.”

“Deck the Halls with boughs of ahhhhhhhh! Oh no, I’m falling! Ha-ha, get it?” A guy wearing a bulky camo coat in shades of green said to Lucas while waving his hands and pretending to fall.

Lucas’s hand tightened around mine. “Ha-ha.”

I’d never heard a word uttered more sarcastically in my life.

“My favorite was when you slipped and took out the stage for the kids’ play,” another guy in twin camo but in blue said.

Two beleaguered women and a gaggle of kids followed behind them.

“Those poor kids. They worked so hard on that show.” One of the women, in pink camo, shook her head as she hiked a baby higher on her hip.

I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it had my hackles up. Lucas’s smile was tinged with tension.

“Hopefully, the town has insurance on the festival in case you torch it.” Blue camo chuckled.

“That was a long time ago,” Lucas said in a tired voice. “Have a good night.”

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