Page 18 of Mistletoe Kisses

Not expecting his confession, my heart flutters. Oh boy, well this might’ve sealed the deal. Brushing my mouth against his, I sigh. “We can get an apartment in town until you get your hands on something. I want a place for us to not have to worry about getting caught in the middle of this. How does that sound?”

His lips curve against mine. “Like it’s too good to be true. Are you sure you want to? That’s a commitment, Cas.” He tugs me closer toward the edge of the washer and I’m forced to wrap my legs around him to keep my body from slipping off. “I’m not going to want to let you go if we find something small for us.”

I’m not going anywhere, and I tell him that too. When I spot the hesitance hiding behind his gaze, heat crawls up my throat at the thought of telling him the truth. If he’s going to confess his feelings, it’s only fair I do the same.

“Before, you were unreachable, Mylo. I wanted you in ways I shouldn’t have. Leaving was the only way I thought I’d be able to move on. This place was too painful of a reminder.” My lips purse and my brows lower. “I was a coward who couldn’t move on. Coming back, I thought I was going to have to relive through that pain.”

“You really loved me for that long?” He’s smiling, of course, he is. Is it so hard to believe that what started as a pesky crush has turned into something far more intense? This isn’t something I can run from. I love Mylo.

From the way he’s planning the future here, I think he might love me too.

Nodding my head to his question, his snort makes my cheeks burn hotter. I’m not about to start explaining how bad I had itwhen I was younger, but I’m more than willing to show him how much I love him now.

But first, I need to jump over this wall in our way.

“I’m going to tell them,” I warn him, “whatever happens, happens.”

My parents aren’t that crazy. I’m a grown adult who can make her own decisions. If they care about my happiness, then they shouldn’t care who the person is who brings that my way.

Even if he’s worried about the outcome, he nods his head. “If that’s what you want, then I’m in. Right beside you.”

One more brisk kiss seals our promise before he helps me off the washer. As much as I’d love to linger in here and waste time until the load is ready to swap, I have planning to do. Maybe some apartment hunting to do as well.

* * *

With the smell of food filling each inhale, the four of us sit around the table to finally enjoy the Christmas holiday. After we all helped make enough food to have leftovers for days, all of our hard work has paid off. It’ll be no time before we slice into the pumpkin pie.

After all the sweets my mother has pushed in my direction since the start of my stay, I’m surprised I have cravings for anything sweet.

Sugar isn’t the only thing I’m craving here.

Mylo has cleaned himself up rather well. That unruly beard is now shorter and more organized. Thanks to my little comment about liking beards, he hadn’t shaved it off. He’s done this on purpose, making it impossible not to stare at him throughout the meal.

He’s the one who is making my mouth water, even more than this turkey and ham.

“Everything alright with your food?” From across the table, my mother calls me out on a little slip.

I turn my gaze to my food and nod. “It’s delicious.” Her stare doesn’t let up even as I shove a shredded piece of meat into my mouth.

She’s been acting a bit weird lately, dancing around the strangest topics whenever it’s just the two of us. There’s a knowing look to her gaze and it makes me wonder if maybe, Mylo and I aren’t as secretive as I thought.

“It’s a shame no one else was able to make it.” My father helps fill the silence. “I don’t think anyone prepared for all this snow.”

More scraping of plates and my mother finally looks away, only to stare at Mylo next. His throat bobs. He must be thinking the same thing I am.

Unable to take it anymore, I stop squirming and sit up a bit straighter. “So, I think I know what I’m going to do after the holidays. I’m going to apply for a place to stay in town.”

As Dad swipes his fork in the air, I can hear his words before he says them. “No need to rush to get out of our hair, Cas. We have plenty of room here. It’s hard being out there on your own. Let us help.”

“I won’t be alone.” Blurting the words, my foot bounces as my nerves start creeping in. “It’ll be just momentarily, too. Maybe a year, or less. Who knows?”

Mylo clears his throat next. “I’m going to help her get back on her feet. Crash with her since I don’t exactly have anywhere to go either.”

God, we’re still avoiding the truth here. Why is it so hard to say?

“Well, that’s kind of you.” My mother smiles and shakes her head. “But as Henry says, we have plenty of room. You don’t have to go out of your way. That goes for both of you. Though, I will admit, once the holidays are over, I am going to want to resume my hobbies.”

“He could move his stuff into my room,” I mutter and my father chokes on his next bite. Well, there’s no going back now. “If you’re insisting on us staying, I mean. I’ve got lots of room.”

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