Page 48 of Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane

“Oh, that wasn’t fake.” We crossed the street.

He paused on the sidewalk. “You definitely have an interesting family, Gianna.”

“You have no idea,” I mumbled.

James held open the door, and I grabbed a couple fliers as we entered Phineas’s Wanderin’ Eats Diner, laying them out in front of us as we took our seats in the same booth as last night. “So we have a lot of events coming up,” I said. “Gingerbread houses, Reindeer Games…Breakfast with Santa…Oh! Saturday night is the Tree-Lighting. Everyone will be there, and there’s usually some singing.”

Not that I would know anything about your singing ability.

“ ‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,’ ” James quoted. “What if me and my dad meet you there?”

“That works,” I said.

“Is it a real tree?” he asked me as a waitress brought us some water.

I made a face. “Our town literally has its own Christmas tree farm, and you ask if we go plastic?” I pressed a hand against my chest and winced.

“My bad.” James held up his hands before he took a sip of water. “We’ve only ever had a fake tree at home.”

“There’s nothing like a live tree.” I closed my eyes and sighed. “The smell, the texture…It just feels like Christmas. It’s beautiful.”

“I think so, too,” James said.

I opened my eyes and immediately flushed as I caught him staring at me.

“I mean…” He cleared his throat and quickly put his menu in front of his face. “I’m sure they…the trees…are beautiful.”

A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth.

Several minutes later, the diner was suddenly filled with chatty folks from town. A few waved at me and then stared curiously at James before going back to their menus or conversations.

“Oh, my texts are about to blow up,” I said, shaking my head as I tried to decide what sandwich to get.

“From who?” James asked, turning the menu over.

“My family. See those women over there? They’re in a book club with Nona, only they don’t actually read books. They just use it as an excuse to drink mulled wine and gossip.”

A smile slowly formed on his face. “Sounds like my kind of club.”

I laughed. “Do you want to play a game? Phineas keeps a stocked shelf over there by the door.”

“I was wondering if you guys just brought your own Uno cards last night. Sure!” He laid his menu down.

I brought back Scrabble, but James frowned. “Any other options? Not really my game.”

“Oh, sorry. Yes. Be right back.” I hurried back to the shelf and scolded myself.

No one likes Scrabble, Gianna.

Except Sam.

His flustered and disappointed face from the café this morning flashed in my head, making my heart squeeze a bit before I pushed the memory away and returned to James with Battleship.

“Oh, big mistake.” James clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “I happen to be a champion at this game.”

“Is that so?” I asked, taking the red and blue game boards out of the old box. “Care to up the stakes then?”

“Absolutely.” James drummed his fingers together. “Since this is our first non-date date, how about this: Winner gets to ask the loser three questions, any three questions, and the loser has to answer.”