Under the Mistletoe with Me (With Me in Seattle, #1.5)

“You know, Sophie isn’t going to remember this tree, Isaac. The fake tree would be fine.”


He turns to glare at me. “I’ve let you put that ugly ass fake tree up for the past eight years. We are getting a real tree this year.”

“What if we get it home and it has spiders in it? Or a squirrel?” I bite my lower lip, trying to keep my smile at bay.

I love irritating him.

“This is not National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

“Oh, I’m so relieved.”

“You’re a smart ass today,” he mutters as he continues to peruse through the trees.

“I’m cold. If I keep talking my lips won’t freeze shut.”

Suddenly, Isaac’s gloved hand grips the back of my head and pulls me to him. His lips claim mine, and he kisses me long and slow, his tongue tracing my lips and then tangling with my own. He nibbles the side of my mouth, rubs his cold nose against mine and sinks into me again, his lips soft and lazy. Finally he pulls back, his blue eyes shining, and exhales.

“Lips warmer?”

“Yes, thanks.” I’m struck speechless. Wow.

“Good. Let’s find Sophie’s tree.”

“This is a nice one,” he points to a large, full, tall evergreen.

“It’s way too tall.”

He eyes me speculatively, like I’m deliberately raining on his parade and I giggle as he reaches for his tape measure.

“Damn it,” he mutters and looks to the next tree.

Finally, we find the perfect tree and Isaac quickly chops it down, yelling “Timber!” as it falls to the ground.

“You’ve always wanted to do that, haven’t you?” I ask.

He laughs. “Yeah.”

He grips the freshly cut trunk and lifts it, ready to pull it behind him as we make our way back to the truck. On the way out, we stop by the farm store and buy some fresh garland, a wreath for the front door and poinsettias.

Isaac grabs some mistletoe and throws it on the pile and winks at me. “I love getting you under the mistletoe, baby.”

“Yeah?”

He grins again.

“You don’t need mistletoe for that.”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

Our house is going to be very festive this year.

***

“So, where are you?” I ask Brynna and glance around the pub from my corner table. Isaac asked me to meet him here when he got off work for drinks, thus beginning our new dating life, and I’m excited to see him.

“We’re somewhere in nowhere North Dakota,” Brynna responds dryly.

“How has the weather been?” I ask.

“Shitty. That’s why we’re in nowhere North Dakota. We’re taking it slow. I’m in no huge hurry, other than we’re running out of clean clothes and the kids are restless so I can’t drive as many hours of the day as I’d like.”

“I’m sorry, Bryn. What happened?”

“I’ll tell you about it when I get there,” she responds with a sigh. “There are listening ears in the backseat.”

“Okay.” My really cute, young, and possibly working his way through until his modeling career picks up waiter brings me my drink and winks at me.

“Thanks,” I mouth at him.

“No problem. I’ll check on you in a minute.”

The margarita is cold and tart and that first sip is heaven.

“How are you and Isaac doing? Any better?” she asks. I’ve confided in Brynna about the recent distance between Isaac and me. She’s the only person I’d confide everything in.

“We are doing better. As a matter of fact, I’m sitting in a bar waiting for him to meet me. We’re dating.”

“Dating?” she asks with a laugh. “Where’s Sophie?”

“With Isaac’s parents. They were thrilled to take her for a few hours. I’m getting used to that part. I text poor Gail like crazy.”

“I bet.”

“And let me tell you, the sex has been fantastic.”

“Well at least one of us is getting some. Good for you guys, girl. I’m so glad it’s going better.”

“Me too, thanks.”

“Okay, well, our rest stop is over, so I’m going to get back on the road. I’ll be in touch.”

“Okay, sweetie, drive safely. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

I set my phone on the table and look up as my adorable waiter has a seat across from me.

“Hi there, beautiful.”

“Uh, hi. Can I help you?”

He laughs and sips on a glass of water he’s brought with him. “I just thought I’d spend my break time with a gorgeous woman.”

What the hell?

“I’m Scott,” he continues and holds his hand out for me to shake.

“Stacy,” I respond and shake his hand.

“Great name.” He flashes another smile, and I see two deep dimples wink at me from each cheek.

He’s adorable.

What is he doing here?

“So, why are you here alone?”

“She’s not.”

We both turn our heads at Isaac’s cold voice. He’s glaring at the poor kid.

“Oh, sorry man, didn’t know she was taken.”

“Right. The wedding ring wasn’t a clue?” Isaac asks sarcastically, not taking his intimidating gaze away from Scott’s face as he hastily climbs off the stool.

“I was too blinded by those amazing hazel eyes and wavy auburn hair to notice her hands, bro. You’re a lucky guy.” He winks at me, grabs his water and is gone, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

Isaac takes the seat Scott just vacated and glares over at me.

“What did I do?” I ask innocently.

“Do you have to make yourself look that good in public?” He’s dead serious.

I glance down at my white button-down blouse and dark denim jeans.

“I’m not dressed up,” I reply.

“You don’t have to get dressed up. Now that you’re not pregnant anymore, I’m gonna have to kick ass again.” His eyes soften and he takes my hand in his, linking our fingers.

“Yeah, right.” I laugh and toss my hair over my shoulder. “Besides, you didn’t have anything to worry about. That kid was way too young for me.”

“He was old enough.”

I glance over toward the bar where Scott is standing, talking to the bartender, and he smiles over at me again, his dimples winking in his cheeks.