Page 132 of Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane

How would he want to leave things between us before I left for Italy?

Nona appeared at my side and pressed her gloved hand against my back. “Coraggio,” she whispered to me.

Courage.

Right.

I steeled myself as she stepped forward and opened the barn doors for me, gasping as I entered behind her.

White chiffon curtains draped with dangling fairy lights and topped with fresh garland covered every wall. Two large nutcracker statues framed the stage where a band was playing in front of a new Christmas tree, twice the size of the other two, decorated with red and gold baubles of varying sizes. A few more trees were scattered throughout the room, each with white lights and varying colors of ribboned bows or candied chains. A candy-cane-swirled tablecloth lay draped over each round table, and the surrounding chairs were covered with red velvet tied in the back by a sprig of mistletoe. Every table had a different nutcracker centerpiece, each nestled in a wreath that matched its color scheme.

Aunt Sofia hurried over and held her arms out. “Well? What do you think?”

I shook my head in wonder. “I think it’s the most beautiful Mistletoe Masquerade I’ve ever seen.”

A beautiful way to say goodbye to The Market.

If this did end up being a goodbye.

“Oh, good!” She clapped her hands together before she gave me a quick hug. “And you my dear…” She stepped back to look at my gown. “Are absolutely stunning. Red is definitely your color.”

“Thank you.” I ran my hands through the loose curls of my updo, grateful that Bianca didn’t go overboard with the hair spray.

With no sign of Sam yet, I decided to drown my sorrows in punch, pouring myself a cup as James walked up. He wore a light gray suit and green tie that matched the green and white checkered mask around his eyes. “Is it spiked?” he asked, pointing to the punch.

“Not yet,” I said, taking a sip of the cranberry mix. “But my Uncle Rick has been known to doctor it up in the later hours.”

He chuckled before he poured himself a glass. “Noted.”

The two of us stood there quietly while watching others work their way out to the dance floor. “By the way,” I said, “I’ve made a list of my favorite Christmas movies.”

“Your top ten?” His jaw dropped. “No way.”

I nodded. “Yep. I already emailed it to you. Consider it your homework before next Christmas.”

He smiled as he sipped his punch. “That sounds like my kind of homework. Did you include Lord of the Rings?”

I made a face and hit his shoulder.

He sighed. “Disappointing.”

“James…” I swallowed over a lump that had formed in my throat, my chest aching a bit. “I really am sorry for hurting you. If things were different, if—”

“Gianna.” He held up a hand and turned to me. “I don’t believe in a lot of things, but I do believe things work out exactly the way they’re supposed to.” He flicked the poinsettia on my mask. “And I consider myself lucky to call you a friend.”

I smiled. “It will be nice going to New York next year, knowing that I already have a friend in the city.”

“Definitely.” He took a sip of his punch. “I’ll show you and Jo the best places to get coffee, too. Can’t promise it’ll be as reasonably priced as Eve’s, but I can promise the bagel you get with it will be top-notch.”

I was just about to ask him for his favorite spots for breakfast when feedback erupted from the front of the space, startling us. Mr. Bailey, wearing a charcoal-gray suit and an emerald-green tie, now stood center stage, and my heart dropped as he took the microphone out of its stand.

“Good evening, and Merry Christmas!” he said. “I apologize for interrupting this beautiful event. But I know you all are anxious to know the decision regarding The Market.”

My mouth turned dry.

Can’t he just let us enjoy the night and ruin our New Year’s instead?

James gave a quick nod to me before heading to the stage to join his dad as Jo appeared at my side and took my hand.