Page 77 of Mistletoe Kisses

His expression turned serious. “Does that mean that we’re actually going to keep in touch? Or am I going to go home, and we’ll talk for a bit, then fade into each other’s memories?”

I grabbed his hand. “I don’t want that to be the case. It won’t be easy, but I’m ready to put in the work to keep in touch and get to know you better. We can talk on the phone, text, and FaceTime, and visit each other when we can afford it. We can take the time we need to really explore this special thing between us.” I squeezed his hand. “I’ve never felt like this with anyone, and I know it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind like we’ve had the past two weeks, but I want to see where it goes.”

Arlo melted into me. “I do too. I don’t want to leave.”

A lump formed in my throat. “Do you have to?”

I didn’t expect a reply, and certainly not the one I got.

“No.”

I thought I imagined it, but when I lifted my eyes to his, reckless confidence bolstered the uncertainty in his expression.

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders. “Then don’t.”

“Okay.”

I didn’t dare breathe. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or caught up in the moment.Please stay.

* * *

ARLO

Okay? Could it be that easy?

The hope in Lucas’s eyes pulled at me like a riptide. I stopped fighting and let myself follow his current.

One simple word could change my life.Am I brave enough to let it?

I swallowed. “I want to stay.”

“Are you sure?” The question came out like a hopeful burst.

I nodded. Too many times, but my body couldn’t stop the motion. “Yeah. I think so.”

Lucas laughed and patted my thigh. “A cross-country move might requirea bitmore certainty than ‘you think so.’ You know you don’t have to decide now? You can go home and think about it—about us. I’m not going anywhere. I mean it. The last thing I want is for you to regret any rash decisions.”

Lucas didn’t know I’d been stewing over the decision for the past twenty-four hours. Not that it was much of a decision. It was more me worrying about making the wrong one and regretting it later. When I thought about accepting the job offer, I got a lump in my gut. Almost like I could see myself regretting it. But when I considered staying in Dahlia Springs? I didn’t get that pang of future regret. The sensation was bubbly and topsy-turvy, but no sense of danger.

“I got an email yesterday from a boss at my old job.”

“Oh? What did they have to say?” Lucas sat up straighter.

“They offered me my job back. I guess they finally realized how much I actually did.”

“With double the salary and a new title, I hope.” Lucas’s scowl was adorable.

I snorted. “Not exactly.”

His expression turned sincere. “What are you planning to do?”

I nibbled on my bottom lip. “I don’t think I want to take it. I was miserable there, and it’s not going to be any better. After the layoffs, there are fewer people working but certainly no less work. Sure, I’ll get more credit for what I’m doing, but that won’t mean much if I’m miserable. Especially now that I know what enjoying work feels like, I can’t do that to myself.”

“I’ll support any decision you make. You know what’s best for you. Trust your gut.”

I shifted closer to him. Being near Lucas made me think more clearly. “That’s part of why I want to stay. You understand me so well. And…I feel safe with you. I want to spend more time together and find out what happens.” I gestured between us. “It’s also the town. In two weeks, this place feels more like a home to me than Minneapolis ever has. I don’t have a job or a home to tie me to there. My mom travels more than she’s home, and I’m just getting to know my family here.”

“What about Keaton?” The fact that Lucas asked about that made me adore him even more. I needed a partner who encouraged my friendship with Keaton instead of being intimidated by it.

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