Page 90 of Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane

“Green is definitely your color,” he said, a light pink spreading over his cheeks. “Shall we?”

I nodded and took his hand, which only made my heart thrum faster.

I peeked over my shoulder and caught Mom smiling at the window with two thumbs up.

This is good.

I’m going on a date with a nice guy who is super attractive and interesting and…

But as I took my seat in his Jeep, I couldn’t shake the guilt-like syrup slinking into my stomach.

Because even though a part of me was really excited to find James waiting for me outside my front door, another part of me had still secretly hoped it would’ve been Sam.

As usual, it was a packed house at the annual Movie in The Market. The bingo setup was gone, and the vendor stands had been pushed to the walls, leaving the floor open for everyone to sit with their favorite quilts and blankets for the movie. The room smelled of old wood, warm popcorn, and hot cocoa, and the air buzzed with excitement.

Most of us in here had seen It’s a Wonderful Life more times than we could count, but it was still a Mullings Creek tradition to show it every year. Mr. Paxton used to say that it was the best movie to watch during Christmas because it reminded people of the impact just one person can have on a community. But it was one of Nona’s favorites because of Jimmy Stewart, who was in her top three Hollywood men she would’ve married had it not been for Papa. Gene Kelly and Christopher Plummer held the top two spots.

I pinched my lips and looked left and right, but every spot of the floor was taken.

“Over here,” James said, nodding to his left.

I followed him, weaving and stepping around several families and couples who waved at me politely. Some others, who I recognized from bingo earlier, stared at me questioningly.

Most likely coming to the real-time conclusion that James was not the boy I was found in the closet with earlier.

James finally stopped in the front row where a large, familiar quilt and a couple of throw pillows sat waiting.

“I borrowed these from your Aunt Sofia.” James put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “I hope that’s okay.”

I smiled. “Of course it’s okay!”

Reader, it is not okay.

The last thing I wanted was to be literally front and center when I already was the other 364 days of the year.

I sat down on the plush quilt and pulled off my boots as James did the same.

“I didn’t realize everyone took off their shoes for this thing until I got here…” He made a face and pointed to his feet clad in bright blue socks with someone’s face all over them.

“Well, he’s certainly not Chewbacca.” I snorted. “Who do we have here?”

“That’s Pete, my best friend back home.” He chuckled. “He’s got a pair with my face on them, too. We had them made for Crazy Sock Day during last year’s Spirit Week.”

“And what is Pete doing during his winter break?” I asked, sitting cross-legged. “I doubt he’s stuck in a small town like this.”

“No, he’s probably skiing with his brothers up in Vermont at their vacation condo.” James sighed wistfully. “Perfect time of year for skiing.”

“I’ve never been.”

“Really?” He leaned back on his hands.

I nodded. “Flying down an icy hill standing up is a bit too risky for me.”

“Maybe you just need the right kind of teacher.” James grinned.

My face warmed. “Maybe.” I pointed to the basket resting on the corner of our quilt. “Is that from Aunt Sofia, too?”

“The basket, yes.” He reached around me to grab it and set it between us. “What’s inside, no. All me.”