Page 11 of Perfect Chemis-Tree

“You left me. I know we said we wouldn’t make it anything more…but you vanished.”

“We both know it was more. I had to go. My father showed up and I had to run. I was too scared to lead him back to you. He…he wasn’t a good man.”

I notice his use of the past tense. “Are you free?”

“I am. I turned eighteen, disappeared, and I’ve spent the last five years making something of myself. All while dreaming about kissing you again underneath the mistletoe. I even hang mistletoe up every year.”

“That’s the opposite of me. I’ve turned into a complete Grinch over mistletoe.”

“I’m here to change that. I want to kiss you again underneath the mistletoe, but after promising never to leave each other again.”

My mouth drops open. “What are you saying?”

“I’m back for good. I plan to make up for the last five years and hopefully, marry you. Tonight, I want to promise that this will mean tomorrow.”

“Tonight and tomorrow.”

“Tonight, tomorrow, and forever.”

I smile. “You have a lot to make up for.”

He kisses my nose. “Good thing we have forever.”

It’s hard to believe this all began with a kiss under a mistletoe.