The Hazards of Mistletoe (15 page)

“You were just asking her that?” Dalton raised an eyebrow.

“Maybe a few minutes ago.” Glen hopped out and got my towel ready for me.

“Thank you.” I eagerly accepted the towel from him before running inside. Being wet outside in that weather was painful.

Glen followed right behind with Dalton.

“I think we should go out for ice cream.”

“Ice cream?” Both guys looked at me.

“Yeah. I think it’s just what Laney needs.” I hoped a certain boy was working the counter. The only thing that was going to make things even better for her was a phone number.

Christmas Eve was so much better that year. I spent the morning snowboarding with my Dad, and that afternoon the whole family went over to listen to a choir sing in the center of Lionshead. It was beautiful and put me in such an amazing mood. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Glen could have joined us, but he had to work. I tried not to dwell on it because I knew he’d be around that night.

There was something magical about the mountains at Christmas time. The snow everywhere made everything that much more festive. After the concert we all went back to the condo to hang out before Glen, his parents, and his roommate joined us. My grandma and Gina were busy cooking in the kitchen, and the rest of us hung out around the fireplace drinking my seasonal favorite drink, egg nog made with Southern Comfort.

A knock on the door had me jumping out of my seat. I really hoped it was Glen. I wrenched open the door, and when I saw him on the other side I practically jumped into his arms.

“Miss me?”

“Just a little.”

He kissed me on the cheek. “I got here as soon as I could. My parents will probably be over in twenty minutes or so.”

After he said hello to everyone we walked outside onto the balcony. I wrapped my coat around me.

“I wanted to talk to you about something.” He walked around the corner to the one spot no one inside could see us.

“About what?” Normally I would have been panicking, but he seemed happy. I refused to assume the worst.

“Your present.”

“What do you mean? You didn’t have to get me anything.” We had an unofficial rule never to buy each other gifts. We’d never done it in ten years.

"Of course I did. You already got me the best gift ever."

I stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You. You gave me you.”

“Well then you've already given me a gift too. That is if I get to keep you.”

“Of course you get to keep me. You've had my heart for a while. Now you get the full package.”

I pushed his arm. "The full package, huh? I'm guessing there's no returns.”

“Nope. No returns.”

“I wish you were the kind of package that could be shipped.”

“Shipped, huh?”

“Or packed in my luggage. That is if you wanted to be.”

“Would I want to be in your suitcase? Not particularly because I don’t like small places, but would I want to go with you? Well, you know that answer.”

“Good.”

“Ready for your second gift?”

“I'm ready for anything from you.” I meant it.

“It’s not much yet, but it’s going to get even better.” He handed me a gift wrapped package.

I carefully unwrapped it. “A journal. Cool.”

“It’s not just any journal.”

“It’s a really pretty one?” I ran my hand over the beautiful iridescent blue cover.

“Look inside.”

I opened the front cover. Inside were a few lines written in Glen’s handwriting.
I can’t wait to continue this new adventure with you, but I’ll never forget how we got here. With Love, Glen.

“Thank you.” My heart swelled. “Are we going to use this to record what we do together?”

He nodded. “Yes, but first look at the back cover.”

I turned it over and opened it up. Inside was a picture of us as kids. We were grinning as we sat snuggled up in the back of a sleigh. He’d written a few lines.
Ten years later, and you make me feel just as complete. Can’t wait to see what happens after ten more.

The tears started pouring down my face before I could close the book. Glen’s arms came around me. “I hope those are happy tears.”

“Of course. The happiest of tears. But where did you find this picture?”

“I got some help from your grandfather.”

I smiled. “I’ll have to thank him.”

“Are you ready for one last thing?”

“There’s more?” I blinked a few times to clear my vision.

“Just this.” He pulled out a small branch of mistletoe from his jacket pocket. “I figure it’s a new tradition.”

“I’m only kissing you on one condition.”

“Yes?” He held the mistletoe over our heads.

“You promise we’ll be kissing under mistletoe tomorrow. I need to know mistletoe kisses aren’t bad luck.”

He took my hand in his. “Savy, I plan on kissing you under mistletoe every Christmas for the rest of my life.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” I smiled.

“For that smile, and it looks like I got it.” He pressed his lips against mine, and once again, I lost myself in his kiss.

After several more kisses I finally tore myself away from him, and we walked inside. Everyone was hanging out by the fire, and I headed into the kitchen to pour Glen and I some egg nog.

Glen happily accepted his glass from me when I returned.

“Could I have everyone’s attention for a minute?” My dad asked with a smile.

No one said anything, but we all looked at him.

“I have an important question to ask Gina, and I wanted to make sure I asked it when the entire family was here.”

Glen reached for my hand and squeezed it.

Dad smiled at me before he walked over to where Gina stood with a hand over her mouth. He fell down on one knee in front of her. “Gina, you already know how much you mean to me, but I think it’s about time we make it official. Will you do the honor of being my wife?”

Gina’s ‘yes’ was drowned out by everyone’s cheering. We all knew what her answer would be.

After I gave my congratulations Glen pulled me into his arms for another kiss. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.” I returned my lips to their favorite spot, pressed against his.

I packed up the last of my bags. I still couldn’t believe that freshman year was over. I was filled with mixed feelings about finishing up school. On one hand I got a break from classes, but on the other hand I had more time to miss Glen. I’d really hoped we’d be able to find a way to spend the summer together, but it looked like I was going to be waiting until July to see him again. At least we had video chats and lots of texting to help pass the time. I just wished there was some end to all the waiting. If I had some date in the future when we’d at least live on the same coast it would have been so much easier to handle.

“Are you excited about living in the house next year?” Jade sat on the edge of my bare mattress.

“It will be better than the dorms.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

I picked up the last picture frame sitting on my desk. It was a picture of Glen and me from spring break. I’d used all of my extra spending money to fly out to Colorado to visit him. The trip had been worth every penny.

“You’re missing him, huh?”

“Don’t I always?”

She shrugged. “At least you have someone to miss. I don’t even have that.”

I sat down next to her. “You will.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.” I smiled. I was so much more upbeat about relationships now.

A knock on the door stopped Jade from replying.

I wasn’t expecting anyone to stop by. Most of the dorm was empty already. “Who is it?” No one answered, so I slowly opened the door. “Glen!” I screamed his name and ran into his arms.

He picked me up. “Hey, love.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you said you couldn’t make it down until July.” My heart was racing a mile a minute. I couldn’t believe he was there.

“There’s been a change in plans.” He set me down but didn’t let go of my hands.

“Oh?”

“I only need twelve more credits to get sophomore standing, so I’m taking them this summer.”

“Taking them here?” My jaw dropped. Was he serious?

“Yeah, it was part of the deal when they accepted my transfer application.”

“You’re going to Harrison next year? You’re going to be here?” I started to cry, and I didn’t bother to stop the happy tears from spilling down my face.

“Looks like it. I’m actually going to be moving in with someone you kind of know. Jade helped set it up for me.”

“With who?” I looked at Jade. “And how did you keep this from me?”

Jade grinned. “I wasn’t going to ruin the surprise, and it’s with Kyle. He was looking for a roommate so it worked out. And on that note, I’m out of here.” She hugged me. “I’m going to go finish packing.” She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

“I don’t know what to say.” I looked up at Glen. “This is unreal.”

“Say you’re excited. That you’re glad I’m moving here.”

“Excited is an understatement.” I leaned up and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’d rather show you.” I pressed my lips against his.

I may have started the kiss, but he quickly took over. He pushed his way into my mouth, and I reveled in the familiar taste of him, needing more and more.

Eventually I broke the kiss. “It looks like I won’t be spending so much time on the phone anymore.”

“I can think of much better ways for you to spend your time.”

“Oh yeah? Why don’t you show me?”

“I was planning on it.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “And just so you know, when I told you I planned on kissing you under the mistletoe for the rest of my life, I wasn’t just talking about Christmas. I’m going to install a permanent branch above my bed.”

I laughed. “As if we need the excuse of mistletoe.”

“Okay, good point. I’ll just plan on kissing you for the rest of my life.”

“That sounds perfect.” I brushed my lips against his.

“Beyond perfect.” He bit down on my lip lightly. “And one more thing.”

“Yes?” I murmured without moving away.

“It looks like we’re going to find out if you keep me cool at night.”

I smiled. “I guess you do keep your promises.”

“Always,” he whispered against my ear. “Always and forever.”

For more information about Alyssa Rose Ivy’s books, please visit her online at:

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Book Description:

One broken heart, one drink too many, one steamy night in the sand…

No one warns you about the dangers of drinking with a broken heart. At least no one warned me. I never imagined I'd fall for a musician, especially not one like Chase, but then again I never expected to have my heart broken into a million pieces by the frat guy I thought was the love of my life.

Sometimes it's the rash decisions, like hooking up in the sand, that lead you to the best places—the kinds of places where it's possible to let yourself fall in love again.

It all started with a drink. Okay, really it all started with me telling my boyfriend to go to hell, but I don’t want to start there. I’d rather start with the part involving sex.

“I’d be careful with that stuff.” A guy in a blazer and jeans gestured to my plastic cup. “You never know how much alcohol is in there.”

“I’ve had plenty of vat drinks before. I can handle it.” I sipped the drink, turning away from the guy. The only reason I was at the stupid house party was because my high school best friend dragged me. She thought I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself. She was probably right, but when you find out your boyfriend’s been hooking up with his ex the whole time you’ve been together, it’s alright to feel sorry for yourself, isn’t it?

“Okay, just saying.” Blazer guy sipped a beer and nodded at me.

I gulped down more of the sweet beverage. I could taste the alcohol, which meant that blazer’s warning was probably spot on. “What am I even doing here?”

“I don’t know… I don’t even know you.”

“What?” I turned back and blazer was still standing there. “I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Oh, so you’re one of those Bluetooth people then?” He straightened, and I realized he was taller than I originally estimated.

“Huh?”

He shook his head. “You know. The people who have the wireless headsets in and always sound like they’re talking to themselves.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

“I was kidding. I could tell you were actually talking to yourself.”

Wow. Awkward. I took another big sip. “Yeah.”

“Does that stuff even taste like anything? They have a better bar set up downstairs.”

“It’s too crowded down there.” I’d brushed past the swarms of people and found the roof as soon as my friend, Gabriella, found some guy she liked. There was a couple making out, but otherwise the rooftop patio was empty. I looked down at the vacant boardwalk below as the last rays of sunlight disappeared over the ocean.

“I agree. That’s why I’m up here.”