Page 17 of Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe

Yeah, clearly the whole roommate idea was a genius plan. What else could go wrong?

CHAPTER 10

MILLIE

Oh my God! What the hell was that? Did he mean to almost kiss me? There’s no way. It had to have been an accident. Right?

I’ve spent the entire night tossing and turning, trying to figure out what on earth just happened. I know I should be thankful his phone brought us out of whatever spell we were under, but God, I was desperate to feel his lips on mine.

I groan when I look over at the clock in the corner and see that it’s almost six in the morning. When we pulled into the driveway last night, I’d been ready to collapse as soon as I walked through the door, but after the almost kiss, I haven’t been able to stay still for more than a few minutes at the time. I might have dozed for thirty minutes at the most, and I know the restless energy in my body isn’t going to let me rest any more.

God, today’s gonna suck,I think with a grimace, before pulling myself out of the bed.Oh well, might as well get up and try to be productive.

Digging through my bag, I throw on a pair of leggings and a long-sleeve running top before hunting for my tennis shoes. After slipping them on, I toss my hair into a ponytail, grab my phone, and open my door to head out for a run.

When living in D.C., this had become a regular part of my routine when I needed to clear my head. It was probably the only thing I’ve done for myself over the last few years, and while I’ve never been particularly fast, I love the opportunity it gives me to organize my thoughts.

The house is dark and silent as I make my way outside, so I assume Brian is still asleep. Not wanting to wake him with a text, I scribble out a note on a piece of scratch paper.

Going for a run. Be back around seven. Call if you need me.

Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I head outside and do some quick stretches before taking off. I don’t really know where I’m going, but Brian’s neighborhood seems safe, so I decide to just make a couple loops around the block to make sure I don’t get lost.

The sun is starting to rise, and I smile at the array of colors in the cold morning as I finish my warm-up and start to push into my first sprint of the day. I’m just starting to gain speed when I hear an unfamiliar voice from one of the houses across the street. “My, my, you must be the new event planner, huh?”

Startled, I look to my left where I see an elderly lady I don’t recognize sitting out on her porch with a cup of coffee. She gives me a smile and says, “Millie, right?”

My face must show my shock, because the old lady lets out a cackle and continues. “I guess no one’s warned you how fast word travels around here. I’m Miss Ethel. Welcome to Springside, hun.”

I stare at her for another minute trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation, before finally saying, “Uhh, yeah. How did you know my name?”

Ethel lets out another laugh before she says, “Oh, hun, word was out about you probably about the time you hit that deer and totaled your car. We don’t get newcomers around here too often, but we’re real glad you’re here.”

Wait, not only does this woman know my name but she also knows about the wreck?

I’m contemplating making a run for it despite the fact that I’m confident I could take her if I really needed to, but instead I ask, “Umm okay. Good to know, I guess… What are you doing out here so early, Miss Ethel?”

“Oh, dear, I love watching the neighborhood come alive in the morning. Plus, how else would I get all the gossip? Seeing who’s sneaking where is a good way to make sure I don’t miss anything,” she says with a laugh.

My God. This woman wasn’t kidding. I briefly recall Huey’s warning about the "nosey sons of bitches” around town, and fight to laugh at the absurdity of this little town.

“Oh, I gotcha. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Miss Ethel. I’m sure I’ll see you around,” I say, ready to return to my run.

“Oh yes, dear, I’m sure you will. Excited to see what you do with our Christmas events this year,” she says with a smile. “I’m on the Gingerbread Gala committee, so we’ll have to chat soon.”

Great, can't wait for that. By then you’ll probably know the name of the dog I had when I was in middle school and my high school GPA.With that, I nod and give her a polite wave before returning to my run.

I try to block out the world and organize my thoughts as I run but after a lap around the block, I can’t help feeling like there are eyes on me. After taking in my surroundings, I realize that almost every house I pass suddenly has someone sitting on their front porch. Some are sipping coffee and pretending to be preoccupied with something on their phone, but most are openly staring at me as I pass.

I look ahead to see another older woman standing in her driveway a few feet ahead and waving her hands to flag me down.God, what’s a woman gotta do to run in peace around here?Without anywhere else to go, I slow to another stop and pause my playlist.

“You’re the new high falutin’ visitor from the city, huh?” she asks, looking me up and down.

“Uhh, yeeaaahhh, I guess so,” I say, uncomfortable with the look of disdain on her face.

“Listen here, girl. Everyone here may be content to buy your story but I’m onto you… If you think you’re gonna slip in and scope out our city for that supposed ‘ex’ husband of yours, you’ve got another thing coming. We don’t need some big city real estate company trying to come in and take over our city,” she says angrily, adding in some air quotes around the ex-husband comment as if she’s trying to emphasize her point.

I stare at her stunned for a moment. Is this woman for real? She’s clearly watched one too many Hallmark Christmas movie marathons.

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