Page 48 of Faking It with My Bossy Ex

Claps and cheers go up around the room.

“The winners of the scavenger hunt …” She holds up a piece of paper. “were a bit inconclusive. I might have made it just a little too easy to get everything on the list. Because of that, we’re going to add an extra step.”

She points to a sprig of mistletoe hanging above the lifted stage at the back of the dining area.

“Each couple will take a turn coming up here and showing off their Christmas sweaters and seal the deal with a kiss. Don't forget passion! Whoever gets the loudest cheers will get the final point.”

The room is a chaotic mixture of laughter, talking, and giggling. The couples all line up and we’re ironically the last ones. That could be a very bad position to be in or a great one. It means we’ll make the last impression but will have to outdo everyone before us.

“Do we really need a cruise?” Amy asks as another couple goes up. The man leans in to kiss his wife or girlfriend, and she kisses him first. It’s awkward and hilarious.

Everyone breaks into laughter and cheers. Their Christmas sweaters are matching. One says his, and the other says hers, but they’re on opposite people, to make a play on them belonging to one another.

Amy is wearing the red sweater I bought her. It fits her perfectly, hugging her curves in just the right ways. My sweater is a clunky, green and red bit of atrocity I picked up last minute and is going in the trash as soon as the event is over. Everyone else passes in a blur until it’s Amy and me standing on the stage.

She looks up at me, uncertain, questioning. I don’t have to fake this kiss or try to make it look like we’re in love because I am in love with her.

I brush my fingers against her cheek, drawing her closer. Her eyes lock on mine, challenging me to close the gap.

Her skin's just as soft as I remember. My thumb traces her jaw, and something electric shoots through me. I step in until there'sno space left between us. Her hands land on my chest, and the room goes dead quiet.

My free hand finds the small of her back. Ever since that kiss in the cabin, I can't get her out of my head. She's tense against me, like she might bolt.

I press my lips to hers, and everything shifts. She presses into me, her hand sliding up my chest, around my neck, pulling me deeper.

The world narrows to just her body against mine, her mouth on mine, everything else fading away.

She pulls back, eyes still closed. My lips burn from the kiss, wanting more. I rest my forehead against hers, both of us breathing hard. The room erupts in cheers, but all I see is her smile.

“I guess it’s a good thing we practiced, isn’t it?” she asks, her lips red. I wish there was a tie, and we had to kiss again just to double check who got the most cheers, but Mrs. Parker is already joining us on stage.

“I think we have our winners! Ladies and gentlemen, two young people from our very own town of Snowfall Springs and a second generation winner, Amy and Dylan!” Mrs. Parker looks over at us with sparkly eyes, and the crowd cheers again.

I’m not focused on any of them.

“We won? We won!” Amy jumps up and down before launching herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her face in my chest. I spin her around, a reflection of the pure joy coursing through me. I half lead, half carry Amy off the stage and back to the floor.

Mrs. Parker is announcing the other winners of the Christmas sweater competition and there is still a lot of cheering and noise.

There’s a mix of the other competitors and people from town, and the others coming to eat at the diner. There hasn’t been a big audience for every part of the competition, but people have come and gone. The couple’s competition is a pretty big deal for Snowfall Springs.

“I can’t wait for the cruise. Never thought I’d make it to the ocean.” I joke with a wink.

Amy looks up at me, her cheeks blushing.

I shake my head with a chuckle. “I’m only teasing. If you want to take someone else, then you should.”

She opens and closes her mouth. I realize just how close she’s still standing to me. She could have put distance between us and left me standing there alone all together if she wanted. Instead, she shakes her head ever so slightly.

“We still have time before the cruise. No need to choose now.”

“Wait …” My mouth falls open. “You mean, there’s a chance you’ll take me with you?”

“Don’t say it so loud! Someone is going to hear you.” She laughs.

“If you do take me, then I promise I’ll behave. I won’t snore a single time, and I’ll even help you put up a pillow wall. I’ll pack extra pillows in my luggage and will stay on my side of the bed. If it’s a really cheap cruise, I’ll stay on my level because we'd be sleeping in bunk beds.” I can’t help myself. She’s too fun to tease.

“You’re making me sound like a horrible person or like I torture you or something.” She slaps at my arm, a bit of annoyance showing on her face. I chuckle.

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