Page 78 of Mistletoe, Mayhem & Mr. Grump
"With Malcolm, there's no difference between normal and needing therapy," she corrects.
The song ends, but I don't let go. Neither does she.
"We should probably stop," she says.
"Eventually," I agree, pulling her closer for the next song.
"People are watching," she points out.
"Let them," I say. “I don’t care.”
"The committee is scoring us," she warns.
"Then we better give them something worth scoring," I suggest, dipping her dramatically.
She laughs again, and I realize this is the first time since Sterling's revelation that she's seemed actually happy.
"Why did you really come tonight?" she asks quietly.
"To see you in that dress," I answer honestly.
"Holden—"
"And to make sure Malcolm doesn't convince you that adequate is a compliment," I add. "And to prove that even without the Pierce name or money or Sterling's corporate backing, I'm still the guy who wants to dance with you."
"You're also the guy who lied to me," she reminds me.
"Yes," I agree. "I'm that guy too. But I'm trying to be better."
"By stalking Malcolm's Instagram account?" she asks.
"By protecting you from him," I correct. "It's basically a public service."
"ATTENTION EVERYONE!" Delia's voice booms through the sound system. "It's time for the traditional gala activities!"
"There are traditional activities?" I ask Wren.
"Oh no," she mutters. "I forgot about the activities."
"What activities?" I ask suddenly nervous.
"Competitive carol singing, three-legged gift wrapping, and..." she pauses, looking horrified. "The mistletoe gauntlet."
"The what now?" I ask.
"Every couple has to walk through the mistletoe tunnel," Teddy explains, appearing beside us with his drums strapped to his back for mobility. "It's tradition."
"Sounds like forced intimacy to me," I point out.
"Same thing in Snowfall Creek," he says cheerfully.
"I need a flask," Wren announces.
"Which flavor?" Mrs. Patterson asks, appearing with her purse arsenal. "I recommend Courage with a splash of Chaos."
"Just give me whatever will help me survive the next hour," Wren says.
"That would be the unmarked one," Giuseppe says, swaying slightly. "But I don't recommend it."
