The Hazards of Mistletoe Read online

  “You think her dad’s stalling because of Savy?” I was trying to understand his logic.

  “Yes. He thinks she got upset last year because of her mom’s engagement, but evidently you also had something to do with that.”

  “Don’t remind me.” I cringed. I hated knowing I’d hurt her. I never wanted to cause her pain again. It was because of that that I probably should have stayed away, but she wasn’t happy without me. Maybe, just maybe, she’d be happier with me. I needed to at least try.

  “So if she gives you a second chance, try not to screw it up, and try to work fast.”

  “I only have a few days, so yeah. I’ll work fast.”

  “Good. I have to give you points on the sleigh.”

  “I thought I’d play the nostalgia card. Of course this time we aren’t kids, so I’m going for romantic.”

  “You said her dad likes you, right?”

  I nodded.

  “So if I tell him I left her with you he’s not going to kill me?”

  “He won’t. Besides, her grandpa already knows she’s going to be with me.”

  “Layden? Do I want to know?”

  “He also wants her happy.”

  He smiled. “I guess there’s a lot of people rooting for that.”

  “No one more than me.”

  “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.” I started heading back toward Savy. As we walked over she was laughing at something Winston had said. Despite some of his annoying habits, Winston was really good at doing that.

  “Are you done talking about me?” Savy set her eyes on me even though she was asking both of us. I was glad. I wanted all of her attention to myself.

  “I just wanted to make sure you could trust him.” Dalton spoke slowly, seeming to be carefully selecting his words.

  “And what’s the consensus?” she asked in a playful way. Playful was good. Playful was the Savy I knew.

  “You can. He knows he’s a goner if he does anything to upset you again.”

  “A goner?” Savy and I both asked at once.

  He was unmoved. “You don’t want to know.”

  “Is this when I discover that the college student thing is just cover, and you’re really in some secret government agency?” Savy laughed.

  “You’re laughing now.” He seemed to be trying to hide a smile.

  “So what’s it going to be?” I took a step toward Savy. “A sleigh ride together with me?”

  “It’s lovely weather.”

  Dalton groaned. “Did you just quote Christmas music lyrics?”

  “I told you she’s obsessed with this time of year.”

  “I’m not obsessed.” She gave me her pouty face.

  “Not obsessed, passionate.”

  “Passionate is an acceptable term.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to come?”

  She pursed her lips. “I don’t think I should.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you only did this because you feel guilty or something. I already told you that you don’t have to worry about it. I got the hint, and I moved on.”

  “The move on comment aside, we’ll talk about that later, but what if that’s not why I did it? What if I did it because I really want to go on a sleigh ride, and you’re the only one into Christmas enough to do it with me?”

  “So now you’re saying you’re desperate.”

  I shook my head. “You are making this way too complicated.”

  “Oh, so it’s my fault?”

  “No. I’m not saying that.”

  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Dalton walking away. Winston followed with a wave. Savy was completely oblivious, and I tried to hide my smile. It looked like Dalton was going to help me out.

  “Then what are you saying? You keep telling me how I’m wrong. How you didn’t reject me, blah blah blah. So give me answers.”

  “Blah blah blah?” I moved toward her. “Are we back at that point again?”

  She broke into a grin. “You remember that? Do you remember how mad my dad got when I said that to him?”

  “Of course. You got grounded, cancelled on me, and I ended up sitting in my room alone. What a lame night.”

  She laughed. It was her natural laugh, the one that made it impossible not to smile. “I can’t believe you remember that.”

  “I remember everything about you.”

  “So do I.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I mean about you.”

  “Come on a sleigh ride with me.” I spoke quietly this time.

  She nodded. “It doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you.”

  “Deal. You have the right to go back to being mad at me afterward. Just give me this.”

  She laughed again. “I hope they have blankets. It’s freezing tonight.”

  I lightly tugged on her arm, pulling her toward me. “I’d never leave you to get cold.”

  She looked away. “You’ve done it before.”

  “And it’s my biggest regret.”

  She turned to look at me. “I wish we never kissed.”

  “Please don’t say that.”

  “It’s true. If we hadn’t, none of that other stuff would have happened. We’d still be friends.”

  “It would have happened eventually.”

  She shook her head. “Not without the mistletoe.”

  “I’ve been into you for years. It was going to happen with or without mistletoe.”

  “Then why did you do it? What repulsed you so much you left?”

  “I already told you I did it because I knew I didn’t deserve you.”

  “But I don’t believe you. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “How about you get on that sleigh with me, and I’ll make sure it makes sense.”

  She shook her head and set her big blue eyes on me. “No. If we’re going on this ride, I’m going to enjoy it. No talking about that night.” A lone tear streamed down her face.

  I wiped away the tear. “I swear I’m going to make it all up to you.”

  “Just take me on this sleigh ride already.” She turned around. “Wait. Where’s Dalton?”

  I shrugged. “He slipped off back when you were going off on me.”

  “Jerk.”

  “I was going to say great guy.”

  She wrapped her arms tighter around her. “He has my phone.”

  “I have mine.”

  “Great.”

  “You trust me, don’t you, Savy?”

  “Do I trust you with my safety? Sure. I trust you with everything but my heart.”

  My heart ached at her words. I’d change that. I’d change everything. “Then come with me.” I took her hand and got her to drop her arm from around her chest. “We’ll have fun.”

  “You ready to go?” Harry, a friend of a friend, hopped down from the sleigh. He was doing me a huge favor. He was dressed up for the occasion in a long coat and a top hat. He was going for the full theatrics he usually did for the tourist gigs.

  “How much is he paying you for this?” Savy asked.

  Harry looked at me, and I shook my head.

  “I think you’ll have to discuss that with your date.” He glanced at me and shrugged.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Going into how I could call in favors from locals required going into why I was now a local. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to do that yet.

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She accepted my hand as she stepped into the sleigh. I followed behind her, covering us both with a blanket while I waited for Harry to get the horses ready.

  “Don’t make it sound like it’s a bad thing.”

  “It’s not a bad thing, just a complicated one.”

  “What’s complicated about it?” I put an arm around her without thinking.

  She sat forward at first before relaxing back into my arm. Nice. Maybe I was making some progress.

  “Everything is complicated. I’m sharing a blanket with you. Again.”

  “I know you don’t wan
t to talk about that night, but I enjoyed being under a blanket with you then too.”

  “Stop.”

  “Fine.” I wasn’t going to push my luck.

  Harry got us moving, and Savy leaned into my side. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

  “Very. It’s the kind of night when I remember why I love living in the mountains so much.”

  The mountain and surrounding forest were lit up by holiday lights and a sky full of stars. There was something almost magical about it, especially with the company I got to enjoy.

  “I can’t imagine living here. I’d miss the ocean too much.”

  “You really love the ocean more than the mountains?” I ran my hand up and down her back. Even with a down jacket separating her from me, it felt so good to have contact again.

  “I do. But don’t get me wrong. It’s beautiful here.”

  “At least you’re not crazy then.”

  “Oh we both know I’m crazy.” She nuzzled closer. I was sure it was because of the cold, but I tried to pretend it was because she wanted to stay close.

  “Oh, one more thing.” I reached into the bag I’d left with Harry and pulled out two thermoses. “Hot chocolate?”

  “A sleigh ride and hot chocolate? You’re making me nervous.”

  “Why?” I asked stupidly even though I already knew the answer. She was thinking of the last time I did something bordering on romantic.

  She didn’t move to take the thermos. “We’re not going there.”

  “We’re going to have to eventually.”

  “But not tonight.” She sighed.

  “Fine, but at least try the hot cocoa. It’s the good stuff.”

  She accepted one of the thermoses and sipped it. “Wow, this is good.”

  “Of course it is. I made it.”

  “You made this?” She asked incredulously.

  “Are you that surprised?”

  “Yeah, actually.”

  “Don’t be. I have many skills.”

  She laughed. “Glad you haven’t lost your confidence.”

  I had. I’d completely lost it, but being so close to her again brought it back. I could almost forget how far I’d fallen.

  We rode around in silence for a while. She seemed content sipping her hot cocoa and sitting snuggled next to me. There was nowhere else I’d have rather been.

  “Thanks for this.” She broke the silence.

  “You’re welcome. Enjoying yourself?”

  “Yeah.” She shifted beside me. “It’s pretty much perfect.”

  “Does that have anything to do with the company?” I waited with baited breath.

  “I don’t mind it.” She looked away and out at the snowy landscape.

  “Savy?” I said her name softly.

  She looked back at me, and some of her blond hair blew into her face. I brushed it away, and I couldn’t help myself. I pressed my lips against hers lightly, and I waited for her to respond. She didn’t at first, but I refused to give up. I moved my lips against hers, and eventually she started to move hers too. She opened her lips, and I took my chance.

  She stilled as I first pushed my tongue into her mouth, but her surprise didn’t last for long. She reached up and tangled her hands in my hair, as I pushed her flush against me. My whole body heated, wanting her and needing her closer. I forgot about Harry as I pulled her onto my lap. An entire year of pent up desire took over, and I couldn’t control myself. I let my mouth devour hers, needing to suck up every ounce I could.

  “We can’t do this.” She broke the kiss and moved off my lap.

  “We just did.” I couldn’t get the goofy grin off my face.

  “It shouldn’t have happened.” She brushed her gloved hand over her lips as if to brush away the remnants of me. That action was like cold water poured over my head.

  “No. Don’t be like that.”

  “You can’t tell me what to do. You can’t tell me how to feel.”

  “I know. But I know how I feel.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “You don’t get it because you won’t let me explain.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “What?” I leaned closer, still trying to handle her change from hot and heavy to cold as ice.

  “You can tell me tomorrow.”

  “Okay.” I reached over and took her hand in mine. She didn’t pull her hand away. Brushing off my kiss or not, she had kissed me, and now she wanted to see me again. I’d stirred up something in her, and I was going to do everything in my power to make sure I didn’t let what little effect I had burn out.

  Chapter Ten

  Savannah

  Dazed. There was no better way to describe how I felt as I stepped off the sleigh in front of the condos. I’d just gone on a sleigh ride with Glen, and we’d kissed. Really kissed. I’d liked it. I’d liked the feel of his hands on me, and his lips against mine. And worst of all, I wanted more of it. I wanted more of Glen. I wanted to know everything, and I wanted there to be another explanation of why he’d rejected me the year before. I wanted there to be a chance. Because knowing there was even a small chance of getting Glen back in my life made me whole in a way I hadn’t felt in ages.

  “Thanks, that was fun.” I smiled as we stood outside. My words said nothing of the emotions running through me.

  “Can I walk you in?”

  “I’m fine.” I wasn’t sure I could handle much more. My emotions were a mess, and I needed time to process things.

  “But I want to make sure you get home safe.” His eyes were so full of emotion, and I was positive they matched mine.

  “How about I text you.”

  “You still have my number?”

  “Yeah.” I looked away.

  He took my hand. “You’re still in my phone. Of course.”

  “There’s no ‘of course’ about it.”

  “Yes there is.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. “Good night, Savy.”

  “Goodnight.” I turned and walked into the lobby. I paused in front of the large Christmas tree. I’d been in such a funk I hadn’t admired it yet that year.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” An older, gray-haired man said from his seat in front of the fire.

  “It is. I love all the colors. They usually only use white lights.”

  “Sometimes change is good.”

  “Yeah. Sometimes it is.” I nodded. “Have a nice night.” I walked over to the elevator. What a crazy and unexpected night.

  Before I could even open the door to our condo, it was yanked open. I half expected to find Dalton on the other side, but it was my dad.

  “Have fun on your sleigh ride?” He didn’t even let me walk inside before starting in.

  “Dalton told you everything?”

  “Everything? I don’t know about that, but he told me Glen wanted some time with you.”

  “Do we have any egg nog?” I pulled off my jacket and walked toward the kitchen.

  “We’re not done with this conversation, but yes we do. Gina loves the stuff almost as much as you do.”

  “Ok, great.” I poured myself a glass from the fridge. I hadn’t had any since the previous Christmas Eve, but I was feeling it again.

  “So how was the sleigh ride? You tried to step around the question.”

  “It was fine.”

  “Fine? A boy takes you on a romantic outing and it’s fine? Plus this isn’t just any boy. This is Glen.”

  “What does that mean? Why would Glen be any different?”

  “Have a seat.” Dad sat down on the couch and gestured to the spot next to him.

  “Do I have to?”

  “Yes.”

  I reached into my pocket for my phone. Of course it came up empty. I glanced around. “Where’s Dalton?”

  “Sit, Savy.”

  “But he has my phone, and I promised Glen I’d text him when I got in.”

  “Where did he drop you off?” Dad asked suspiciously.

  “Right outside.”
>
  He smiled. “Ah, I see. Your phone is on your bed. Everyone else went out for ice cream.”

  “Ice cream? In this weather?”

  “Not everyone gets as cold as you,” Dad teased. “Go get your phone and come right back.”

  As Dad had told me to expect, my phone was lying on my bed. I had a missed text from Glen. Missed you.

  I’m home, and I missed you too.

  Not as much as me.

  I pocketed my phone and walked back out. Leaving my dad waiting usually wasn’t a good thing.

  “Let’s try this again. How was the sleigh ride?”

  “I already told you it was fine.” I took a seat before he could tell me to again.

  “Ok, let’s try this. How was it spending time with Glen?”

  “You act like I’ve never spent time alone with him before.” I pulled my knees up to my chest.

  “Why did you leave so suddenly last year?”

  “I told you. I wanted time at home.”

  “By yourself? I know your mom wasn’t actually there.”

  “I had friends to see.”

  “You usually enjoy seeing family and friends here. Particularly Glen.”

  I sighed. “Get to the point, Dad.”

  “I assumed it was about your mom’s engagement. It took you by surprise, and Mac didn’t handle it well.”

  “He cut me out of it. Like he’s cut me out of Mom’s life whenever he could since they met.”

  “You know I don’t love the guy, but I don’t actually think he means to. I get the sense he doesn’t think things through.”

  “Whatever. I really don’t feel like talking about it.”

  “Then let’s talk about Glen. I’m starting to wonder if he had something to do with you leaving.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s no question you like the boy. You’ve been interested in him for years.”

  “Yeah, so?” It looked like I hadn’t hidden my crush particularly well.

  “So? So why did you leave? Why not spend time with him?”

  “Because he didn’t want me. I misread some signs and ended up embarrassed.” I looked out the window. It was too dark to see anything but the reflection of the fire. “You happy?”

  “A boy who isn’t interested in you just hired a private sleigh ride?” His voice dripped with skepticism.