Mistletoe Madness
by Melissa Wathington
Fate opened the door to a once in a lifetime opportunity—mistletoe hung in the
doorway beckoning her and Mr. Right just crossed the threshold. Brianna Larson
couldn’t believe her luck. But, was she bold enough to make her move? After all
this time, she had to go for it.
“Hey, Eric, do you believe in holiday traditions?”
His cocoa brown gaze leveled at her, causing butterflies to take flight in her
stomach. Eric Smythe possessed such a quietly sexy way about him. That silent
intangible quality is what drew her to him four months ago. Sitting with her
girlfriends in the quad studying chemistry of all things, he crossed the field right in
her line of vision. A black t-shirt stretched tightly over his well-defined chest and a
washed out pair of Levis encased his muscular legs. With curly, tousled hair the
color of midnight and deep set, penetrating eyes, his movie star looks were turning
all the girls’ heads that day. But, it wasn’t his heart stopping good looks that pulled
her in. It was the gentleness of his smile when their eyes met.
She hadn’t expected him to look at her twice. Despite the fact that her girlfriends
were all jealous of her thick mahogany hair which fell in gentle waves around her
shoulders and her doe like hazel eyes which made people take a second look, she
knew most people focused on her disability. Due to a congenital condition causing
weak muscle development, she wore a thick metal brace on her right leg, causing a
noticeable limp when she walked. Many guys weren’t able to look past it to see
anything else she had to offer so she got used to spending her weekends at home
and at church, only going out occasionally with girlfriends.
But, that day Eric approached her, asking her to lunch. They spent the hour talking
about their families and school while eating, surprised with how comfortable they
were with each other. That day turned into many more and Brianna was blown
away by the special way he continued to treat her, bringing her flowers, walking her
to class. They spent time exploring museums and going to movies on the
weekends. She noted how he slowed his stride whenever they were together and
how he picked her up at the door to make things easier for her. They talked about
her brace once but never did he make her feel awkward or out of place. His quiet
acceptance made her feel more confident, more alive.
However, they were just friends and Brianna wanted more. There were times
when she physically fought the urge to plant a kiss on him, awakening him from
“his big brother” behavior. Most of her girlfriends assumed they were a couple and
she never told them otherwise, hoping one day their platonic friendship might move
to the next level. Tonight they were studying together and Brianna enjoyed these
times most of all when they could just talk and be together. In the moment he
paused in the doorway, she made the bold decision to step out on faith. She knew
he cared about her- what was the worst thing that could happen? She swallowed
hard, realizing he could very well break her heart.
“I believe in some of them. I wrote to Santa Claus faithfully for eight years. The
year I turned nine, I caught my father putting my new ten speed under the tree and
my bubble burst.” He chuckled at the memory and Brianna joined him, picturing
the adorable crestfallen youth he must’ve been.
“Well, I was talking about the mistletoe tradition,” she said as she pointed above his
head. God, what would he say? All the butterflies took flight once more.
Eric looked up and then back at her. His expression was so serious that a pit of
dread started to form. The thought of kissing her revolted him, she just knew it.
She turned away, as tears gathered in the corner of her eyes. Well, she had
gambled and lost- not for the first time but certainly for the last. She couldn’t put
her heart on the line anymore. It hurt too much.
Suddenly, she felt his hands on her shoulders and his breath in her hair. She
trembled at his touch. He whispered something but she couldn’t make out the
words.
“What… did you say?” she asked breathlessly.
“Finally. I’ve been waiting for a sign from you for so long.” That said, he spun
her around and lowered his lips to hers. The magic of the moment washed over her
as the kiss deepened. Finally, they drew apart and he held her close.
“You are one special lady, Brianna Larson, and I want you to be mine. What do
you say?,” he inquired, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
Drowning in his loving gaze, she smiled. “I say Santa is going to get a big thank
you from me this year.” They laughed as he drew her in to another kiss.
by Melissa Wathington
Fate opened the door to a once in a lifetime opportunity—mistletoe hung in the
doorway beckoning her and Mr. Right just crossed the threshold. Brianna Larson
couldn’t believe her luck. But, was she bold enough to make her move? After all
this time, she had to go for it.
“Hey, Eric, do you believe in holiday traditions?”
His cocoa brown gaze leveled at her, causing butterflies to take flight in her
stomach. Eric Smythe possessed such a quietly sexy way about him. That silent
intangible quality is what drew her to him four months ago. Sitting with her
girlfriends in the quad studying chemistry of all things, he crossed the field right in
her line of vision. A black t-shirt stretched tightly over his well-defined chest and a
washed out pair of Levis encased his muscular legs. With curly, tousled hair the
color of midnight and deep set, penetrating eyes, his movie star looks were turning
all the girls’ heads that day. But, it wasn’t his heart stopping good looks that pulled
her in. It was the gentleness of his smile when their eyes met.
She hadn’t expected him to look at her twice. Despite the fact that her girlfriends
were all jealous of her thick mahogany hair which fell in gentle waves around her
shoulders and her doe like hazel eyes which made people take a second look, she
knew most people focused on her disability. Due to a congenital condition causing
weak muscle development, she wore a thick metal brace on her right leg, causing a
noticeable limp when she walked. Many guys weren’t able to look past it to see
anything else she had to offer so she got used to spending her weekends at home
and at church, only going out occasionally with girlfriends.
But, that day Eric approached her, asking her to lunch. They spent the hour talking
about their families and school while eating, surprised with how comfortable they
were with each other. That day turned into many more and Brianna was blown
away by the special way he continued to treat her, bringing her flowers, walking her
to class. They spent time exploring museums and going to movies on the
weekends. She noted how he slowed his stride whenever they were together and
how he picked her up at the door to make things easier for her. They talked about
her brace once but never did he make her feel awkward or out of place. His quiet
acceptance made her feel more confident, more alive.
However, they were just friends and Brianna wanted more. There were times
when she physically fought the urge to plant a kiss on him, awakening him from
“his big brother” behavior. Most of her girlfriends assumed they were a couple and
she never told them otherwise, hoping one day their platonic friendship might move
to the next level. Tonight they were studying together and Brianna enjoyed these
times most of all when they could just talk and be together. In the moment he
paused in the doorway, she made the bold decision to step out on faith. She knew
he cared about her- what was the worst thing that could happen? She swallowed
hard, realizing he could very well break her heart.
“I believe in some of them. I wrote to Santa Claus faithfully for eight years. The
year I turned nine, I caught my father putting my new ten speed under the tree and
my bubble burst.” He chuckled at the memory and Brianna joined him, picturing
the adorable crestfallen youth he must’ve been.
“Well, I was talking about the mistletoe tradition,” she said as she pointed above his
head. God, what would he say? All the butterflies took flight once more.
Eric looked up and then back at her. His expression was so serious that a pit of
dread started to form. The thought of kissing her revolted him, she just knew it.
She turned away, as tears gathered in the corner of her eyes. Well, she had
gambled and lost- not for the first time but certainly for the last. She couldn’t put
her heart on the line anymore. It hurt too much.
Suddenly, she felt his hands on her shoulders and his breath in her hair. She
trembled at his touch. He whispered something but she couldn’t make out the
words.
“What… did you say?” she asked breathlessly.
“Finally. I’ve been waiting for a sign from you for so long.” That said, he spun
her around and lowered his lips to hers. The magic of the moment washed over her
as the kiss deepened. Finally, they drew apart and he held her close.
“You are one special lady, Brianna Larson, and I want you to be mine. What do
you say?,” he inquired, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
Drowning in his loving gaze, she smiled. “I say Santa is going to get a big thank
you from me this year.” They laughed as he drew her in to another kiss.
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