Page 47 of Mistletoe Kisses

“Adulting sucks.”

I laughed. “You can say that again.”

“Adultingreallysucks.”

I picked at a thread on the comforter. “I don’t know what to do.”

Keaton let out a put-upon sigh. “I called my parents, and they’re happy to have us in my old room, but Mom reminded me that my brother has a finished basement with a bathroom, mini kitchen, and plenty of space for air mattresses. But, ugh. I don’twantto live with him again. I already paid my dues.”

His brother was a bit of a douche, but a private basement did sound better than squeezing into a full-sized bed in his parents’ guest room. Though, his mom was a great cook. But with all the stress, privacy was the better bet. I’d do whatever Keaton wanted, but he’d probably push me to give my opinion.

Like Lucas had the other night at the Christmas lights. Both made me feel safe to say what I wanted when it mattered. I couldn’t believe I’d been lucky enough to meet a second person who made me feel that way, yet I was supposed to leave as we were just starting to get to know each other?

“And we don’t have the money to stay in a hotel for whoever knows how long it’ll take until it gets fixed. Not with the prices at home.” I dropped back onto the bed and covered my forehead with my hand.

“What would we be going home to?”

“Job hunting,” I said.

Keaton hummed. I knew that hum. It always signaled an idea brewing. “We can do that anywhere.”

“What are you saying?” My heart began pounding quickly before my brain caught up to the possibilities of what he might say. I knew what I wanted him to say.

“I’ve been thinking and talked to Riggs. Maybe we could postpone our flights and stay on vacation a little longer? I haven’t completed my dare yet, and I don’t think you have either.”

I held my breath.

“I’d rather stay here in a cozy house than my brother’s basement.”

“Can you? Is there space in the Airbnb?”

I could practically hear Keaton’s smile. “There’s space. I still have some work to do on my mission.”

“What mission?”

“I’m trying to find a boyfriend for Riggs.”

“What are you getting yourself into?”

“He deserves to have someone taking care of him. That’s all.”

I chuckled. Keaton couldn’t leave well enough alone. “That’s all, huh? What does Riggs have to say about it?”

“Riggs doesn’t need to know. Enough about me. I’ve been dying to know how it went last night.”

I flushed as I got flashes of all the things Lucas and I had done and how he’d touched my body.

“Was your family nice?”

Oh. Dinner. Yeah. “They were wonderful.” I told him about meeting my other uncle and grandma.

“That’s amazing, babe. I’m so glad you had a great time with them. I’m proud of you for going. Did Lucas join you?”

“He did. It helped having him there, but I didn’t tell them who I am.” I bit my lip as I waited for Keaton’s response.

“Lucas sounds special.”

That’s it?I had expected a pep talk or a litany of questions. “He is.”

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