Page 39 of Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe

“Do you want me to stay?” I ask, feeling my heart start to race in my chest as I wait for his response.

He looks at me dumbfounded and I have to fight the urge to lean in and kiss the crinkle on his brow. “What?” he asks.

“After tonight, the Christmas events are done,” I say, my stomach churning in knots about how he might respond. “So, do you want me to stay?

“What?” Brian says again, not moving and looking at me in confusion.

“I mean…do you want me to stay in Springside?” I blurt, unable to hold it in any longer.

Well, shit, I guess either way, I’m about to get my answer.

CHAPTER 19

BRIAN

“Imean…do you want me to stay in Springside?”

I hear the question, but it takes my brain a moment to catch up. Instead, I stare at her dumbfounded, before I register the hesitant look on her face.

My God, I’m an idiot. I’ve spent the last month consumed by this beautiful creature in front of me, but I’ve never been direct about what I want after tonight, scared I’d run her off. And now, she’s thinking about leaving.

“Mills, I realize I haven’t made myself clear. But I think it’s my turn to beg. Please stay. Yes, this town has its quirks, but I promise they’ll grow on you. Please, be mine. To be honest, I don’t think… I just need you to know there’s no way I’m letting you leave. Not without a fight. I know this place can be a little too much, and God only knows you’re way overqualified for the job here at Deer Valley, but you belong here.

“Also, while we’re just putting everything out there, I know you said you didn’t want a label right now, and I promise, I get it. And I know it’s probably too fast after everything you’ve been through over the last few weeks. But, Millie Pouncey, I’m completely in love with you,” I admit, unable to stop the words from coming out of my mouth.

Her face morphs into shock, and I briefly worry that I’ve freaked her out, so I rush to say, “You don’t have to say anything back. I’m sorry, I—”

“Brian, damn it, would you let me talk?” she interrupts, drawing my attention back to her perfect face. I realize then that her previous shocked expression has turned into a grin that takes up her whole face, and I feel a surge of hope that she might feel the same way I do.

“What I was trying to say,” she starts, once she’s sure she has my full attention, “is that I love you too. You’re right…it’s probably a little crazy, but you’ve filled the last month with more laughter, fun, and love than I’ve had in the last ten years… So, if you want me…I’ll stay, because I’m just as completely in love with you too.”

I feel the smile taking over my face and pull her closer to me. She rests her head on my shoulder, and we dance for a moment before I whisper, “There is one thing I feel like I need to confess.”

She pulls back and I don’t miss the concerned look on her face. “Uhh, okay, what is it?”

“You know all those lattes you’ve been bringing me?” I ask as we continue to sway to the music.

“Yeah, what about them?” she inquires warily.

“Umm, I actually can’t stand the taste of cinnamon. Basically, anything other than vanilla makes me gag. But you were so excited about them, I couldn’t make myself tell you to stop bringing them.”

I fight the urge to laugh at her expression as she says, “You mean you’ve been drinking something you can’t stand for a month now, just because you wanted to make me happy?”

“Well, yeah, I guess that about sums it up,” I tell her with a laugh.

“God, I really do love you,” she whispers, and the look of sincerity on her face makes all the cinnamon sips worth it.

After that, I don’t think about anything other than the need to kiss her. Ignoring the fact that we’re in public with a room full of people who definitely will notice what I’m about to do, I lean down and pull her into me, kissing her hard. Her mouth meets mine, and I fight the urge to groan at how good she always tastes. I run my tongue across her bottom lip, urging her to open for me and deepen the kiss until we’re both panting.

As we pull apart, I realize the rest of the room has erupted into cheers. Millie and I look at each other and then out at the crowd of people celebrating like their team just won the Iron Bowl.

“By golly George, it really is a Christmas miracle,” Huey hollers, clapping his hands as a huge smile takes over his face.

“It’s about damn time,” Miss Ethel yells from over by the bar.

“Hell yeah! Pretty sure I won the bet,” Miss Agnes cheers.

Millie and I shoot each other confused looks, neither of us really understanding what’s going on. “Umm, someone wanna let us in on the good news?” I ask, waiting for someone to let us in on whatever secret we’ve obviously been left out of.

---