Page 99 of Mistletoe All the Way

Then Stephen reaches the chorus and croons, “Stephen Claus is comin’ to town. Stephen Claus is comin’ to town.”

He’s changed one word. That’s it. Santa to Stephen.

Noah is fighting a smile, and he leans in closer to me. “I’m telling you, he’s never had an original idea. He’s just copying the people who called him Stephen Claus at the Christmas market the other day.”

“You’re so going to win this fair and square.”

When he finishes, J.J. and Sebastian are up, and they don’t do a bad job. Then it’s Henry’s turn. The silver fox looks sharp in a button-down shirt and a tie with gingerbread men on it. No doubt my grandmother dressed him.

Soon, he starts swinging his hips and singing, “Dick the halls with boughs of holly… ’Tis the season for naughty folly.”

It’s so crude, but it makes me laugh, nonetheless.

And finally, it’s Noah’s turn. Nerves fly up my chest. I want this win so badly. But I want it for him more than me. I want him to have everything he desires. And I want him to know he can do hard things like this.

I squeeze his biceps and whisper, “You’ve got this.”

Maybe it’s cheesy to say. But sometimes people just need to know you believe in them. And I do believe in this man. Especially since I know tonight can’t be easy for him—not simply because of this challenge, but also because of the date on the calendar. I’m keenly aware of what tomorrow is for him—a hard day. December twentieth.

He takes a steadying breath, squares his shoulders, and gives me a faint smile. “Thanks, Eloise.”

My heart feels a little glowy. My insides, too, when he brushes his hand down my arm, leaving a trail of sparks in his wake.

He strides straight to the corner of the diner where he takes the mic. He doesn’t look at a soul but me, and when “Winter Wonderland” plays, he sings all new lyrics—familiar but different. His voice is low, a little rough. He carries a tune well enough, with every word sung only to me.

“Later on we’ll conspire, as we fuck by the fire. Naked and brave, the dirty plans that we’ve made. Banging in a winter wonderland.”

A few people laugh loudly. Someone else cheers. Behind me, there’s a wolf whistle. Happiness bursts inside me. He’s doing it. It’s working.

Then, it’s so much more than working when he nears the end and the bawdy spoof turns… a little romantic.

“When it snows, ain’t it wild? How it’s just you… and me getting riled. We’ll kiss and we’ll play, in the naughtiest way. Banging in a winter wonderland.”

I’m tingly everywhere. My heart is thundering. My body, aching. From the play on the words, but also the fact that he’s doing it, that he’s not looking at a single other person, that he is singing a Christmas song in public to me.

And I can’t wait to give him his reward.

30 FILLED WITH THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Noah

Talk about singing for your supper. I will happily croon “Jingle Bells.” I’ll learn all the lines to “Rudolph the Fucking Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and I’ll sing it like I’m a Chipmunk if it gets me this.

Eloise beckons with her finger, the striped red and silver polish glinting in the soft evening light as she opens the door to her apartment. I follow her in. I’d follow her anywhere.

After the door thunks shut and I kick off my shoes, she curls her hands over my shoulders, practically shoving me across the hardwood floor to the couch.

“Sit. Now. Close your eyes.”

Hallelujah. Hell, maybe I’ll even sing that song too. “Whatever you want.” I sink down on the couch and make a show of keeping my eyes closed.

“I don’t know. I might have to blindfold you.”

“Not gonna say no to that.”

She spins around, and I squint an eye open and savor the view of her walking toward the bedroom. I stretch my arms across the back of the couch, basking in the afterglow of victory, thank you very much. I took third place in the song spoof, and for a guy who can barely stand public speaking, let alone singing, I’m not unhappy about that result at all. Henry placed first, J.J. was second, and Sebastian was fourth. Which puts Stephen in last place for the singing. Such a shame.

Now, I’m going to take my reward—whatever it is.