“All I Want for Christmas Is You” was playing next door, but all I wanted was right here.

And as much as I would have traded every Malteser Reindeer in the world to stay and see what might have happened under the mistletoe with Nick, we both knew that Elle’s challenge to have a kiss under the mistletoe was the one thing left I was now never going to accomplish.

I smiled at Charl and thanked her for letting me know. Which was better than breaking down in tears, grabbing her ankles, and asking why she couldn’t have just given me sixty seconds to have the Christmas kiss of my dreams.

But a rule’s a rule—so grabbing Nick’s hand, I pulled him into the hall, and onto the stage.

And together, we did a word-perfect, tune-definitely-very-far-from-perfect, rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” top notes and all.

Dottie had her camera out for the whole thing, taking as many photos as she could between massively unsubtle winks.

Nick and I laughed, we screeched, we potentially caused some damage to Max’s hearing aid.

Nick twirled me—I twirled him straight back.

Nick pulled on the Father Christmas outfit he’d spotted beside the stage. I dealt with the moral quandary of seriously crushing hard on Father Christmas. With arms around each other—as much as you can when one of you is spherical—Nick and I sang the last line, laughing, smiling—at Dottie, at the crowd, at each other.

And as Mariah crooned, we ended by giving the crowd what they were cheering for.

Me giving Nick the tiniest kiss on the cheek.

I hadn’t exactly managed my mistletoe kiss, but feeling as happy as I did right now, I really had made my Christmas wish come true.

And as I looked at Nick, I knew. All I want for Christmas is you.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Holly

“Flight BV197—gate seven now open. Could all passengers make their way to the gate.”

I looked around nervously. I couldn’t go, not yet. Not until they said it was the last second was I going to budge.

I couldn’t believe this was the end. Saying goodbye to Jess and Pete sucked, but they had to drop me and race off to the Snow Ball. It was amazing they even offered to give me a lift when they had the biggest event of their working lives starting in a few hours. They were incredible. I knew they’d smash it—I told them I’d be watching everything online.