Page 15 of Mistletoe Kisses

“Hi, Lucas,” he said quietly.

I caught my brother’s smirk out of the corner of my eye.

“I set aside a few books, figuring you might be in. I don’t recall seeing her come in and get these. Unless she checked them out from the library?” Ron walked to an employee door behind the counter.

That was why I loved shopping locally. You couldn’t get that kind of thoughtfulness online.

“Mind if I follow?” my brother asked.

“Come on back.” Ron waved for him to join.

Warren winked at me once he’d moved behind the counter and out of Arlo’s sight. He could be a decent wingperson.

“So, what brings you to the bookstore? Needing more gems than what your Kindle has?”

Arlo looked between where the others went and me as a panicked expression took over his face. I could’ve let it go. It wasn’t my business. But the urge to take care of him reared again.

I stepped in closer and lowered my voice. “Are you okay?”

He glanced back at the storeroom when laughter flowed out, then nibbled on his lip and moved to a far corner of the store where the children’s books were. I followed.

“I’m lying, and I’m freaking out,” he blurted. Then his eyes widened, and he slapped his hands over his mouth.

“What are you lying about?”

Arlo wrung his hands in front of himself. “I can’t say now.” He looked back behind the counter again.

He was making me nervous. “Do you want to go somewhere and talk? I don’t start work for ninety minutes or so. I think the brewery is open now. We could grab a drink, or if it’s too early—”

“A drink is good.”

“Want to go now?”

Arlo nodded.

When Warren returned with a few books and Ron behind him, I approached them. I gave him a look that said we would talk later. He tilted his head and glanced between me and Arlo, then smirked.

I turned to Ron. “Mind if I steal Arlo from you?”

“Of course not. He’s on vacation and should be out having fun.” He aimed a cheerful smile at Arlo. “Though, if you have time, I’d love it if you came to the event tomorrow night to see your idea come to fruition. My wife will have this place loaded with delicious finger food.”

“Cheesecake bites?” Warren and I asked simultaneously.

Ron laughed. “Absolutely.”

Arlo shifted on his feet. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He smiled—it was small but seemed genuine—and waved at them before scuttling toward the door. I said my goodbyes and followed. I had to admit I was curious about what had Arlo so twisted up.

Once the door closed behind us, Arlo let out a big gust of air. I was confused. If being in that place caused him so much stress, why would he agree to go back tomorrow? Maybe he was the type of person who had a hard time saying no, which wasn’t a big leap from his shy demeanor, and if that was the case, I wanted to be a safe person he could say no to.

I was a little too excited to lead Arlo to the brewery. Who needed dating apps when adorkable tourists came to town?

Arlo was quiet as we walked to the brewery. I could happily fill any silence.

“See that candy shop? It used to be owned by a crotchety old man. One time, I was dared five dollars to steal one of those giant pixie sticks. You remember those? Just about the length of my arm.”

Arlo nodded as his lips curved into a small smile.

“I’ve got younger twin siblings, and I convinced them I’d split the candy with them if they caused a diversion. So, with their little cherubic faces and pink cheeks, they started asking all sorts of questions about the different jellybean flavors while I took the opportunity to slide four pixie sticks down the leg of my jeans so the three of us and Warren could each have one. I was so nervous by the time we got out of there that I started running and busted the plastic tubes as soon as my knee bent. A trail of sugar powder followed us home, and my shoe was half full of the stuff. Served me right for stealing.”

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