Snow Place Like Home (Home Sweet Holidays)

by Laura Pavlov

My dad’s boss, Harry, moved in our direction. “Oh no, incoming,” Poppy whispered in my ear. He’d approached us numerous times in his costume, which consisted of a too-tight tan tracksuit and a wire around his head that had a piece of mistletoe attached. 20 Yes, Harry, who was thirty years our senior, had attempted to kiss both me and Poppy multiple times, along with every other woman at the rehearsal dinner. He held out a piece of peppermint candy, just as he had before dinner. “Ladies, it looks like you have an opportunity to step under the mistletoe.” Poppy and I reached for the red-and-white hard candies and popped them in our mouths, though we had no intention of stepping under that mistletoe. “Three strikes and you’re out, Har-Bear,” Poppy said. “I told you, I feel like I’m getting sick, so there will be no mistletoe kisses for me tonight.” Harry had a super-thin mustache, and he smirked at me. “And what about you, Goldie? Is it true that you’re finally single?” Before I could respond, Ace moved beside me, his fingers wrapping around my arm. “We’re being beckoned to the dance floor.” My stomach dipped and I smiled up at him, grateful for the save. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. I was in the middle of a conversation, Ace,” Harry grumped. “Hey, Harry, long time no see. But I suggest you pace yourself. That mistletoe won’t make that mustache of yours any less creepy,” Ace said, his voice playful, but the look in his eyes was telling a different story. He was irritated with Harry.

wtf dude