Free Under the Mistletoe by Tracie Puckett

cheesy
grin and failed attempt to wink, he walked out of the room.
               
I stared at Alex and raised my eyebrows. “And he's the cop?”
               
“Hard to believe, huh? It's like they'll give anyone a badge.”
               
“I'd say...”
               
“I'm sorry about him,” he said.
               
“No problem,” I pursed my lips. “I don't have to worry. After all,
I heard through the grapevine I'm in a pretty serious
relationship-”
               
“You heard that?” I nodded. “Again, I'm sorry. I didn't know what
to tell him. He's relentless when it comes to single women. I
didn't want him breathing down your back all night-”
               
“It's okay,” I shook my head. “You didn't really lie to him, so
don't feel bad.”
               
His body shifted and he stood a little taller. “Wait... what ?”
               
“I'm not in a relationship,” I said, taking a step toward him. “But
my heart already belongs to someone. As far as I'm concerned, that
means I'm as good as taken.”
               
He took in a large breath and closed his eyes.
               
“Steph,” he said. “We may not get much time alone this evening. I'd
like to give you your gift now before it gets any later.”

Chapter Eight
    Saturday December 24 8:00PM
               
“Your gift comes in two parts,” he said. “The first is in this box.
The second requires us to step outside for a moment.” He walked
across the kitchen and pulled his coat off the hook next to the
back door. “What are you waiting for?”
               
“I thought the second gift was outside.”
               
“If you want either of them,” he said, placing the coat around my
shoulders. “You'll follow me.”
               
With a wink he turned, and I followed. We stepped out onto a small,
wooden deck that overlooked a snow-covered yard.
               
“Cold,” I shivered.
               
“We wont be long,” he promised, placing the small box in my hand.
“Open it.”
               
I pulled the lid off the top and stared inside at a piece of
folded, pink, flowered paper.
               
“Is this-”
               
“Yes,” his eyes lit up.
               
“I looked everywhere for this today,” I said. “How did
you--”
               
“I had Calvin sneak it out of your bag this morning.”
               
“What..why?”
               
“Don't be upset with Cal, I put him in an awkward position and I
probably shouldn't have.”
               
“I was only mad when I couldn't find it,” I said. “I wanted to give
it to you... which makes me wonder, why are you giving it to me ?'
               
“Unfold it.”
               
I pulled the paper from the box. Tears filled my eyes as I
read:
    A heavy heart can’t bear the weight
    Coincidence or destined fate
    I do not want to hesitate…
    Do you?
                NO.
    I have a dream to keep you near
    And losing you is all I fear
    So tell me that you will be here...
    Will you?
                    ALWAYS.
     
    A pulse can’t rest when on the rise
    Sparked by the longing in your eyes
    I feel there’s more than is implied…
    Do you?
                YES.
    If things aren't always as they seem
    And you can dare to dream a dream
    Consider us a future team...
    Will you?
                ABSOLUTELY.
    I know they say that love is blind
    An intervention of divine
    Now I believe the stars aligned…
    Do you?
                YES.
    Our love would be a surefire crime
    But I will wait the given time
    If you would say that you’d be mine…
    Will you?
                YES.
    I know I shouldn’t wonder such
    But something tells me in your touch
    You want to make the two an us