“Ash…” Her whisper is barely a sound. “We shouldn’t?—”
“I know,” I say.
Neither of us move. I lower my head another inch. She tilts hers up. Our noses almost brush. Her breath slips over my mouth, warm and sweet and ruining. Her hand slides higher onmy chest. My pulse jumps. I lean in, and then footsteps echo down the main bay.
We freeze and the spell snaps.
Lucy’s eyes widen, and she inhales sharply as she steps sideways out of my space, putting a safe distance between us that feels anything but safe.
I scrub a hand over my jaw, trying to breathe, trying to get my heartbeat under control.
“We should—” she starts.
“Yeah,” I say, voice wrecked. “We should.”
We step out of the corridor just in time to hear someone shout from across the bay, “Mistletoe!”
I look up.Perfect.
A massive bundle of mistletoe hangs from the rafters right above us. The entire room gasps, then starts cheering like they’re at a championship game.
“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
Lucy turns scarlet.
Someone whistles. Someone else bangs a spoon against a punch bowl. Holly—bless her chaotic little heart—jumps up and down yelling, “Do it!”
Lucy laughs nervously. “Oh no.”
I stare at her. She stares back. The chanting grows louder. I should kiss her. I want to kiss her. I’m dying to kiss her.
I step closer. Her breath hitches. Her hand lifts like she thinks I’m going to take it. Everything inside me tightens. I stop inches from her, close enough to feel her warmth but far enough she can still breathe.
The crowd groans dramatically.
Holly yells, “UNCLE ASH!”
Lucy’s eyes sparkle—nervous, flustered, wanting.
My voice comes out low. “Not like this.”
Her lips part. I step back. Slowly. Painfully. The crowd boos. Lucy laughs, flustered, cheeks bright red. I turn away, sucking in a breath so sharp it burns.
Because if I kiss her…
If I touch her…
If I take her face in my hands and finally taste her…
There won’t be any stopping.
Not tonight.
Maybe not ever.
I force myself toward the refreshment table, gripping the edge like it’s a lifeline. My pulse refuses to slow. My body is still tuned to the shape of her against the lockers.
Behind me, the music swells again.
