My parents were overjoyed when the Stephensons decided to stay through the holiday. I smiled as they hugged and cried—well, the moms cried. They said they were sorry for everything and from this moment on, they were going to be better friends.

They also glared at Jacob and Andrew and told them that after Christmas was over, they were going to make things right. Andrew dipped his head and nodded. Jacob did the same.

We spent Christmas Eve alternating between making sugar cookies and wrapping presents. Those who were in the kitchen filled the time by talking about what we wanted Santa to bring us.

It was cute to watch Alex and Aiden stare each other down as they tried to decide whether Santa was real or not. I nodded and told them I’d seen Santa before, which they completely believed. After a few minutes, they declared him real and rushed off to start making their lists.

I chuckled as Tracy got out her camera and started snapping photos of them sitting at the table. I met her gaze and smiled. We still hadn’t told anyone that she’d already submitted the photos. They were announcing the winner at six, so we were just waiting until then.

I kind of doubted that our parents really even cared about that anymore.

Plus, it helped me attempt to ignore the fact that I missed Jacob. Like. A lot.

I missed talking to him. Flirting with him. I just missed everything. And I wanted him back. Sure, I knew I should be mad with him, but I couldn’t help it. After a good night sleep and a hot shower, I’d already forgiven him.

I wasn’t like my family. I forgave easily. And maybe the soft Christmas music carrying through the house, mixed with lots of hot chocolate, made me a more relaxed person. It was probably what made Santa so jolly.

The Christmas song playing on the radio faded, and the DJ came back on. He said something about the contest and the number of entries. My ears perked up, and I shushed the other people in the room.

Mrs. Stephenson glanced over at me with a quizzical expression.

“Guys, listen,” I said.

“After much deliberation, we have a winner,” the DJ proclaimed.

“We missed the deadline, Ava,” Mom said.

I just shook my head and pressed my finger to my lips. A move she should recognize, since she created it.

“We have to say, we got lots of photos of perfect Christmas trees and impeccable cookies, but this one blew them all out of the water. Even though they didn’t use conventional decorations, you could tell that they showed real Christmas spirit.”

There was a drumroll.

“The Rogers and the Stephenson clan took the gold! Congrats to your families. I have to say, those three boys showed the most Christmas spirit as they decorated that tree.”

I glanced around, grinning from ear to ear. My brothers and Max were jumping up and down. I was pretty sure they didn’t understand what they’d just won, but they were excited that people liked their tree.

Mom stared at me. “Did you send the pictures in?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Tracy did.”

The parents were silent as they glanced at each other. Suddenly, my mom wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I’m sorry for everything, Ava.”

I turned to hug her. “I know, Mom.”

The parents were so humbled that they let the boys eat half of the cookies before they cut them off. Then they went to the basement to watch a Christmas movie and play.

I was in such a good mood that I agreed to help Mrs. Stephenson clean up the dirty dishes as the cookies cooled on the counter. Apparently, no matter if there was a competition or not, I still wasn’t allowed to touch the food. Instead, I got clean up duty, which I was fine with. I wanted the cookies to be edible. If I baked them, they’d be as hard as bricks.

Halfway through the dishes, Mrs. Stephenson got a phone call from her mom, so I told her I could finish up. Now alone, I watched the bubbles swirl around as I ran the dishcloth through them.

A warm arm brushing mine drew my attention over. Despite the warmth of the water, my hands suddenly became cold. Jacob was standing next to me with a towel in one hand and a sheepish expression on his face.

“I hope this is okay,” he said, peeking over at me.

I shrugged but didn’t say anything. In fact, I hadn’t spoken to him or Andrew since this whole thing went down.

He sighed. “Thanks for talking to my parents.”

I nodded and began scrubbing the mixing bowl.

He was quiet for a minute. Then he spoke again. “It was really nice of you to pick up the pieces from the mess Andrew and I created.”

I nodded again, still silent.

He reached out and stilled my hand. “Are you not talking to me now?”

I pinched my lips together as warmth radiated up my arm. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to tell him that I hated the way he’d treated me. I was the innocent victim here. I was the one to have my heart broken when I’d done nothing wrong. I wanted to tell him to leave me alone and never talk to me again.

But the ache in my chest grew deeper and more painful. I didn’t really want any of those things.

“Jacob,” I whispered, braving the pain. “You hurt me.”

His features stilled as he nodded. “I know.” He ran his hands through his hair. “You deserve someone so much better than me. If you tell me to leave you alone, I’ll respect that.” He hesitated as if he were waiting for me to wave my hand and banish him from my sight.

Which, I’m not going to lie, I kind of wanted to do.

He raised his hand just as I parted my lips. “Can I explain something first?”

I eyed him and then nodded, waving my soapy hand to tell him to continue.

“I was an idiot last summer. I’d met a girl at my grandmother’s, and we kind of hit it off. My parents were driving me crazy, and I wanted to get away. When I went out with Andrew, and he decided to do something stupid, I made a snap judgement. I figured I’d take the fall—because people thought it was my fault anyway—and get to spend some time with my grandma. Andrew would be able to keep his scholarship, and everything would be fine.”

When he stepped closer to me, my heart picked up speed. Suddenly, his gaze intensified. “I didn’t know you’d be caught in the crossfire. I never meant for this to happen like it did.”

A shiver rushed down my back from the emotion I could hear in his voice.

“Ava, you’re not a dork, and you are not stupid. You are the sweetest, kindest, most gentle person I’ve ever met. I’m shocked that you even consider me as someone worthy of you.”

I swallowed as my gaze grew hazy. Did he mean that?

“Jacob—” I began to whisper, but he shook his head.

“I know I’ve lied to you, and there is no reason for you to ever take me back. But, just promise me you’ll keep an open mind.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t write me off.”

I stared at him, my heart hammering in my chest. All I could do was nod. “Okay.”

He smiled at me, and my whole body flushed. After leaning forward and gently kissing my cheek, he pulled back and readied the dish towel.

“Now, let’s get these dishes done.”

I somehow managed to get through the dishes without falling to pieces. It was hard, standing next to Jacob for that long. My mind was swimming, and my whole body was reacting to his proximity.

All I wanted to do was turn and wrap my arms around him and kiss him. Call it holiday spirit. Call it a Christmas miracle, but I was ready to forgive him.

And Michelle? Well, he wasn’t in Florida, begging for her to forgive him. He was here. With me. Asking me to keep him in the running.

And sure, I wanted to tell him he was the only one in the race, but he’d asked for some time to earn my trust back, so I really hoped he’d start his heroic plans now so we could get to the making up bit.

He smiled at me as he nodded toward the living room. “I can finish up,” he said as he grabbed the sprayer and started rinsing out the sink.

I stepped back and nodded, taking the dish towel he handed to me. “Thanks,” I said.

He winked at me.

I stood behind him, methodically wiping my hands with the towel. My gaze made its way over to the opening to the living room. And then it landed on that small ball of green leaves.

Mistletoe.

And suddenly, I didn’t have to wait until Jacob enacted all of his plans to show me how sorry he was. If I could get him over to the doorway, he’d have to kiss me. Right?

I stepped up next to Jacob and glanced over at him. “Can I show you something?”

He looked at me as he turned off the water. “Show me something?” He glanced behind me. “Sure.”

I handed the towel to him, and he dried his hands. After setting it on the counter, I motioned him toward the living room. Once I got to the doorway, I paused.

Jacob held back for a moment and then stepped up right next to me. “What did you want me to see?”

I pointed toward the mistletoe and watched as Jacob raised his gaze.

“Ava,” he said. My toes tingled from the depth of his tone.

“Jacob, one thing you need to know about me. I cannot hold a grudge. Sure, you hurt me, but I know it wasn’t intentional.” I gave him a small smile. “Besides, I think our families have had enough hurt to last us a while.”

I reached out and wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to me. My lips found his and I didn’t hold back. It was as if kissing Jacob fixed everything that had broken in me this Christmas vacation.

Jacob pulled back and studied me. “But, my plans?”

I shrugged as I bit my lip. “You can still do them, but I’m not waiting. I like you. Like, like you, like you.”

His hands found my waist, and he pulled me closer to him. “You do? Even after all of that?”

He leaned toward me and pressed his lips to my forehead.

I giggled as I tipped my lips up to him. “You’ll owe me for a while, but I’m okay with that.”

“Then I look forward to showing you how much I like you, like you.”

Our lips found each other, and as we fell into the rhythm of our kisses, I couldn’t help but feel complete. This was what I wanted this Christmas. Families happy and together. Truths finally told. And Jacob.

Mostly Jacob.

He pulled back and glanced down at me. “So, what can I get you for Christmas?”

I pulled a contemplative look and then grinned at him. “Nothing.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

I snuggled into his chest and breathed in the smell of his woodsy cologne. “Yep. I have everything I want.”

His arms wrapped around me and pulled me closer. He pressed his lips to the top of my head and whispered. “That makes me happy.”

Shivers rushed across my body as I sighed. This was exactly how I wanted to spend the rest of my Christmas break. Wrapped in Jacob’s arms, the smell of fresh-baked Christmas cookies wafting through the air, and with my family.

Merry Christmas to me.