Page 92 of The Mistletoe Switch

I snort, but I'm sad for the little boy he was. Sad for this man who believes perfection is the only way to earn love. "Sounds like you're never going to fall in love."

"But I did." His voice is rough and I scrunch my eyes tighter not to look at him. "I fell so completely head over heels in love with you. I tried to convince myself I hadn't because, obviously, my life's a mess right now, but I'm miserable without you."

I open my eyes. His expression is sad, his eyes glassy. "That was a stupid thing to do."

His laugh is more of a snort. "No, shit. I thought if I pushed you away and went on with my life, I'd get over you, but it's become clear to me I'm never going to get over you. I love you, Cherry, and I want you in my messy, chaotic life. I'm not sure what I can promise you, or—"

I leap onto his lap and wrap my arms tight around him. He smells so good, like sandalwood and sugar, and I've missed him so much. "I don't need you to promise me anything but that you love me. I don't care how successful you are or how chaotic your life is as long as I'm a part of it.

"You should care," Mom snipes.

I keep my eyes on Xavier. "Mom, if you ever want to see or speak to me again, you will accept Xavier as my boyfriend and never try to seduce him or offer him money to walk away from me."

Mom humphs, but she doesn't say another word.

Xavier smiles warily. "Just like that? You're over how horribly I treated you and are willing to take me back?"

"I love you, you big dummy. Of course I'll take you back. You'll just have to make it up to me with daily oral for the next month."

His smile widens, all wariness gone. "Done. Though it's hardly a hardship to lick—"

A throat clears behind us. A masculine throat.

Xavier looks over my shoulder, and his eyes go wide. "Mom. Dad. What are you doing here?"

I leap off Xavier's lap, wishing for that cave to disappear into.

An older woman, with Xavier's eyes, wearing pajama pants and a puffy coat, stands next to a tall man with a white, bushy beard. Next to them, is Peach, Francis, and Blue. Marcus must be outside in the getaway car. Next to all of them is an exasperated-looking police officer.

"You must be Cherry." The woman beams like I'm a rock star she's always wanted to meet. "We've heard so many wonderful things about you." She sticks a hand through the bars and I walk over and shake it. "Meredith Shaw, Xavier's mother."

"I'm sorry about this first impression. I only get arrested when my mother's around."

"I was falsely accused." Mom rises to her feet with a huff.

"We're just so damn glad Xavier's finally got himself a serious girlfriend." Is that a tear in Mr. Shaw's eye? "There's pretty much nothing you could do to disappoint us."

His mom leans in conspiratorially. "We really want grandbabies."

"Are you here to bail us out?" Xavier asks. "Or are we going to attempt the world record for the most awkward meeting in the history of romance?"

"Yes," Mom says. "Please get me out of here. I can feel my skin drying out in this poorly ventilated hell hole."

"We're not bailing you out." Peach pops her hands on her hips, her voice only wobbling a little. "Only Xavier and Cherry are getting out of here."

The uniformed officer unlocks the cell door and I shove Xavier out before Mom and Aunt Natalie try to escape. The officer locks the door behind us.

"This is ridiculous," Mom screeches. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"We were trying to stop Cherry and her boyfriend from stealing ornaments." Aunt Natalie points at me and Xavier with such exaggerated self-righteousness even she must know it's over the top. "We're innocent."

Peach gasps.

"My son is not a thief." Meredith rises to her full height and glares at my aunt.

"You're going to stay here," Blue says, "until you tell the truth and accept your punishment. We're not bailing you out this time and Gen's not sending her lawyers to help you."

My mother drops her head into her hands and starts to cry. No one should have to spend Christmas in a jail cell, but Blue's right. Mom and Aunt Natalie will never learn boundaries if we don't enforce them.

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