Page 24 of Made Up for Love

“It’s one of the best Christmas presents I’ve ever had.” Her eyes sparkled back at him as she smiled.

“I bet you’re grateful that Jacinta was ill. Just imagine, I could have ended up with her instead!”

Lydia shook her head. “Not likely. She’s loaded; her credit card wouldn’t have been declined, so you wouldn’t have had to step in.”

“I’m glad I did though, Lydia.”

“Me too, Joel, me too.”

He glanced up as the clock began to chime the midnight hour, spying the mistletoe that hung above them. “Can I be the first to wish you a Happy New Year?”

“I’d be pretty upset if you weren’t.” Lydia’s mouth curled into a smile, and Joel couldn’t help but reach down and trace the outline of her lips.

As they kissed, all thoughts of previous Christmases disappeared from his mind, and he had high hopes that the next one would be as good, if not better, than this. He’d never been so grateful to be stranded.