Page 25 of Mistletoe Kisses

I zippedup my coat and walked down the sidewalk from Inkwell Bistro to Tome Raiders. There were dozens of laughing and smiling people in festive attire going in and out of the various businesses for the passport event. It was pitch black and cold, but the streetlights gave a nice glowing ambiance.

I’d participated for years whenever I wasn’t working and always had a good time. But it had definitely improved since the brewery had opened and they’d agreed to give away a pint glass for each completed passport. Warren and Reed had talked about how this was expected to be the biggest year yet.

I couldn’t wait to show Arlo this side of our charming town. The offer to support him tonight had been genuine but also an excuse to spend more time with him.

I nearly ran into a bundled figure standing across the street from Tome Raiders and staring at the windows, which revealed quite a few people milling about inside. The bright-red hair peeking out from his emerald-green beanie was a giveaway.

“Hey.”

Arlo jumped so high at my voice I could’ve sworn he levitated. “Hi. Sorry.”

“Nervous?”

He nodded. I squeezed his shoulder, and he leaned into my touch. Or maybe that was wishful thinking.

“I’m being ridiculous,” he mumbled.

“It’s not ridiculous if that’s how you feel.”

He finally turned toward me. His green eyes sparkled under the twinkle lights in the store window next to us.

“Want to walk in together?”

His shoulders dropped from his ears, and he smiled. “Yes, please.”

I treasured each of his smiles.

As we crossed the street, I lightly pressed my hand against the small of his back. The bookstore window displays had changed since I’d seen them yesterday. Paper snowflakes hung at various lengths from the ceiling, and a short tree made of books stood to the left. Lights lined the window and produced a warm glow.

“This looks great.”

“Thanks.” He smiled.

“You did this?”

Arlo shrugged. “Some of it. I found a stack of damaged books in the storage room and thought they’d work well.”

“I’m impressed. You’re making such a difference here.”

The beanie and scarf couldn’t hide his blush. He stared into my eyes like he was trying to find the truth in my words, desperate to believe them. I wanted to keep telling him how clever and wonderful he was until he did.

“Ready for this?”

Arlo let out a breath. “As I’ll ever be.”

“Say eggnog if you need me to make an excuse for us to leave, okay?”

“Eggnog?” He let out an adorable giggle.

We slipped inside the crowded store. About a dozen people milled around inside, at least half holding wrapped books. There were more signs on the shelves since I’d been in last. Instead of a fiction section, the labeling had broken that into groups.

“Wow. This is a great turnout. I don’t remember ever seeing this place so busy.”

Arlo’s smile grew.

“Will you show me what you’ve helped with this week?”

He nibbled on his lip and nodded eagerly. I wanted to pull him close and kiss his bitten lips. He pulled off his cap and fixed his hair before shoving his beanie and scarf into his coat pockets.

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