Page 67 of Mistletoe Kisses

Arlo: [photo of the dogs staring at the camera with their tongues hanging out]

Keaton: Matching Christmas sweaters?!? That is too damn cute! What are you going to do in Portland?

Arlo: I’m not totally sure. They said it’ll be something festive though. I’ll report back. What are you up to?

Keaton: I’m actually making videos [grimace face]

Arlo: That’s amazing! Did you pick a username?

Keaton: …no. Still haven’t figured that out. But when I do, at least I might have some footage to work with.

Arlo: The right name will come to you, and then your brand identity will unveil itself like magic. [magic wand emoji]

Keaton: Here’s hoping. And fingers crossed it happens soon. Otherwise, this winter footage will be useless.

Arlo: Is Riggs your cameraman? [wink emoji]

Keaton: Maaaaybe. I made him throw a bunch of snowballs at me, so we’re inside drying off.

Arlo: Kinky.

Keaton: LOL, it was for a video.

Arlo: Have fun “warming up.”

Keaton: Have fun “in Portland.”

When we reached the errand stop, Lucas and I stayed in the car with the dogs while Warren and Reed went into the photography store to collect what they needed for the festival.

“He neededanotherlens,” Reed said when they got back in the car, giving Warren an indulgent smile.

“You know I needed something better to capture the evening outdoor activities for the festival. Our photos aren’t cutting it with all those lights.”

“Babe, your photos are perfect.”

Warren melted at Reed’s words. I faced the window after glimpsing the tender look they gave each other. I wanted that with someone. I wanted that with Lucas, but it was all too easy to get swept up in enjoying my time with him. He only saw a piece of me, though, and it was easy to focus on the fun. If he spent time with me long-term, surely he would tire of my quirks. Who wouldn’t?

Yet, even as I worried he would get annoyed with me in some other timeline where we lived in the same place, something about that didn’t ring true. Lucas had immediately embraced my challenges and worked with them instead of trying to ignore them. That was exactly the kind of person I needed in my life. If only I could find a way to make it happen. Teleportation would make life so much easier.

We wound our way through hills near downtown that became more populated with trees than buildings. I caught glimpses of the city sprawling out below and an endless gray sky hovering over rolling hills. The houses grew larger with each bend we rounded.

We passed a sign for something called Pittock Mansion.

“Are we going to Pittock Mansion?” I asked.

Lucas grinned at me. “We are. You’re going to love it. Each year, there’s a theme, and they decorate the rooms around that theme.”

“Do you know what this year’s theme is?” I asked.

“Books,” the three of them said in unison. Lucas winked at me as my heart melted into a puddle on the floorboard.

We followed signs to a parking lot surrounded by trees. It was surprisingly busy for the middle of a weekday.

Warren turned in his seat after parking. “We were thinking we could go in pairs. Two hanging with the dogs outside while two go in to view the house. That work?”

“Perfect,” Lucas said.

“How about you go in first,” Reed said.

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