Page 21 of A Mistletoe Mix Up
“Regardless of who it was meant for, you two are standing beneath it now.” Nonna winks.
“Um…” I look at Grayson. He’s caught off guard, too, his eyes wide as he glances down at me. I look back at Nonna and Jane.
“It’s tradition,” Nonna says with a bit of sternness in her voice.
We both freeze for a second, staring at each other, caught like deer in the headlights. Grayson clears his throat, then kisses the top of my head. When he tries to step around me, Nonna shakes her head.
“You can’t break tradition, Grayson.” She grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Yeah, Grayson. Don’t you respect tradition?” Jane adds, her voice full of laughter.
He looks into my eyes as if asking a silent question. My heart thumps loudly in my chest, a nervous flutter building in my stomach.
He gives a slight nod, and I step on my tiptoes to press my lips against his. We’re both stiff for a moment, but then I close my eyes, leaning into him. He tastes like pepperoni pizza and peppermint. An odd combination, but it’s Grayson.
I meant for this to be a harmless quick peck just to get Nonna off our backs. But something shifts inside me, sending sparks coursing through me, setting every nerve on fire. And I don’t want to stop.
But then I remember we have an audience, so I pull away. Grayson’s cheeks have a hint of a blush on them, his eyes locked with mine.
I laugh nervously, trying not to show the impact of the kiss as I look at them.
“Atta girl.” Nonna winks at me. “Come on, Jane, back to work.”
Jane gives me a sly grin then walks away with Nonna.
A rush of heat travels up my spine as I look back at Grayson, who is still looking at me. A slow, shy smile graces his lips, and my heart flutters in response. Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to look away, to laugh it off, to do anything but reveal the churning emotions inside me. But Grayson’s gaze is locked on mine, and I can’t look away.
My mind is reeling, flooded with countless memories of us and all the things I’ve said about him, this week alone—his comforting presence, our shared laughter, the protective way he cares for me, the warmth of his hand in mine. All those small moments start to take on a new meaning. Gray’s been there for me always.
Could what I feel for him be more than just friendship? Is it possible?
The walls feel like they’re closing in, and my skin feels hot.
He opens his mouth as if to say something, but then closes it again.
“I…we…back to work,” I manage to stutter out and turn to walk away.
I swallow hard, my fingers touching my tingling lips. This changes everything.
Chapter Eleven
Grayson
Isit up abruptly, sweat trickling down my forehead. I reach over to the coffee table and tap on my phone, the bright light illuminating the screen. It’s 3:47, too early for me to be awake.
My dream slowly comes back to me. A beautiful sunset after a hike to the top of the hill. The way she fit into my arms, her haircatching the last rays of the setting sun. She looked…beautiful. Then she’s standing in front of me at the bookstore, underneath mistletoe. I watch her face go from worried to wondrous. She steps on her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine.
I run a hand over my face, desperate to erase the dream. Only for me to realize, it wasn’t a dream. It’s memories—ones that keep playing on repeat like they’re my new favorite song. I shouldn’t be thinking like this; it’s not right. Tandy and I are friends, best friends.
A run, that’s what I need. A good long one to clear my mind.
“Want to go on a run, boy?” I ask Jet, who lies next to me on his bed on the floor.
He stretches out his front legs, then rushes to the front door. I quietly walk to the bathroom to change into my running shorts, grab his leash, and head out.
I take a deep breath of the crisp morning air. There’s a stillness, a quietness that only comes with the early hours of the day. We break into a steady jog along the familiar path we take. We exit the neighborhood and continue through town until we reach the park.
I focus on my heart as it pounds in my chest and my feet as they hit the pavement. But it doesn’t stop the images from continuously playing in my head. Tandy, the girl who gets me, makes me laugh even when I don’t want to, and the radiant sun shining in my life. My best friend. And now? The girl I suddenly can’t get out of my head. The girl who makes my heart race every time I see her. The girl I want more with.
