Justin halted his movements, though he did not relax. He narrowed his eyes at Santa.
“Explain, please,” Justin demanded.
“Perhaps you’d like to see the gift tag on the box.” Santa looked unfazed at Justin’s rough demeanor. “I also appreciate the fact that you’re so cautious about surprises, especially in an environment such as this. Rest assured, your fears are for naught, as it was another doctor here who wished to give it to you.”
Justin froze, hand outstretched, thoughts whirling. Robert, or was it Richard, took the opportunity to hand the box to Justin and stepped back.
The box wasn’t very heavy or big, only about six inches cubed, but the idea of someone giving him a gift, especially right in the middle of Santa’s toy delivery, threw him.
Who would do this? Justin could only think of two doctors he knew well enough that would give him a gift. His mother and…
Swallowing hard, Justin flipped the gift tag open.
To: Dr. Justin Coffey
From: The undeserving Dr. Shore
Justin’s heart slammed up against the wall of his chest, as though demanding to be let loose. Glancing up, Justin looked around, expecting to see Max standing in front of him with that soft, crooked smile of his. Instead, Justin met the happy smiles of Santa and his elves.
“Do I…” Justin’s voice tightened, cutting off the words. He swallowed again. “Do I have to open it now?”
Santa gave a quiet huff of a laugh. “I recommend you do.”
Justin stared at the man, wanting to shove the gift back at him and flee, but he had a job to do here. Children were waiting.
Sucking in a deep breath, Justin told himself silently to open it quick and get it over with. Like tearing off a Band-Aid.
Gritting his teeth, Justin slipped his fingers under the lid of the box and popped it open.
At first, Justin didn’t understand what he was seeing. It was a bunch of green leaves. Justin frowned, trying to make sense of it. Then he spotted the tiny white berries attached to the sprigs, and Justin’s breath caught as he realized what it was.
Mistletoe.
Hearing a throat clear, Justin looked up once again.
This time, Max appeared before him, looking like he hadn’t slept in days if the bags under his eyes were any indication. In spite of that, Max still looked sexy as hell in his standard shirt and tie outfit, complete with his white doctor’s jacket and his hair artfully disheveled. Max’s mouth curved into a shamefaced expression, eyes hopeful despite the dark shadows beneath them.
Justin’s breath stopped as he took in the sight of him.
“Hi,” Max said, his voice sounding a bit rough around the edges. “Um, sorry for the production. Except maybe I’m not all that sorry.”
“Max?” Justin asked, frowning, not wanting to believe he was here, that he was gifting Justin a bunch of mistletoe.
“Justin,” Max said, taking a step forward. Justin wanted to step back but found his feet glued to the ground. “I need to apologize to you. For my behavior. My fear. My cowardice.”
Justin opened his mouth, hoping to stop Max before he said anything further.
But Max lifted a hand, stopping Justin, giving him a look. A look that asked Justin to let him continue.
Closing his mouth, Justin nodded and waited.
“I don’t regret what happened,” Max said. “But I do regret my actions afterward. I was cruel. Rude. A coward. You didn’t deserve that. You are easily one of the most brilliant and kind-hearted people I know. You work hard. You care for your friends, family, coworkers. Your patients. I admire everything about you.”
Max paused, and Justin could see him bracing himself before he continued.
“Hell, I think I’m halfway in love with you already.”
Justin’s mouth fell open as shock washed through him. After all this time…
“I have no excuses for my behavior,” Max continued, not waiting to hear a response from Justin. “Only remorse. And I want to make it up to you, if you’ll let me. I don’t deserve you, I don’t deserve a second chance with you. But I’m hoping for one.”
Max paused, as though searching for the right words, uncertainty coloring his features. Justin’s heart pounded as he realized what Max was doing. And he realized that he wanted Max to finally say it. After years and years of waiting, of wanting this exact moment to happen, Justin couldn’t wait one second longer.
“Are you asking me out?” he blurted, then gasped, a hand clamping over his mouth as his cheeks grew hot.
Max laughed, some of the tension easing from his shoulders, and stepped forward slowly. Reaching into the box, Max lifted the bundle of mistletoe out by the ribbon, the same crimson ribbon as the one above his father’s bar, and raised it over both of their heads.
“Yes, I am. Would you give me another chance? A chance to be the man you deserve?” Max asked, Justin’s favorite crooked smile on his face.
Justin threw his arms around Max and kissed him. Max lowered his arm, wrapping both of them around Justin’s waist, squeezing tight. The smell of Max, the warmth of him, surrounded Justin, filling an emptiness Justin’s hadn’t realized had grown since Max left. Their lips met sweetly over and over, neither one of them willing to let the other go quite yet.
Santa cleared his throat gently beside them.
Justin withdrew, laughing up at Max, excitement filling him to overflowing.
“I love you,” Justin confessed, savoring the relieved look on Max’s face. “I’ve loved you for a long time. I thought something I did had…”
“No, never,” Max interrupted, pulling Justin close again. “I’m so sorry. You could never chase me away. You’re perfect.”
They held each other for long moments, basking in each other. Justin snuggled into Max’s shoulder, inhaling the rich scent of him. Justin never thought he’d get to experience this again. And now Max was here. He had apologized in front of everyone and Santa, wanted to try again.
“You’re such a sap,” Justin said, teasing. “Did you ask my mom and dad for this thing?” he asked, stepping back and taking the bundle of mistletoe from Max.
Max nodded, his boyish smile returning. “Yeah. Which was the most awkward thing to try and explain. Especially when they were both glaring daggers at me across the coffee table.”
Justin laughed, tucking the mistletoe back into the box. “Well, you deserved it.”
Max grabbed Justin’s hand, raising it to his mouth. Justin’s breath caught at the heated look in Max’s eyes.
“Yes, I did,” he said. Then lowered Justin’s hand, refusing to let go. “Shall we go deliver gifts to the children?” he asked.
Justin grinned, his heart tripling in size.
“We shall.”
About the Author
Bryce Winters lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two slightly insane cats.
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She works in sales by day, is a writer by night, and loves all things Christmas! When she’s not writing, Bryce enjoys crocheting last minute Christmas stockings while watching Hallmark Christmas movies and reading all the MM romance she can get her hands on.
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For access to free short stories, excerpts from new releases, and exclusive cover reveals before anyone else, sign up for Bryce’s newsletter! http://bit.ly/BryceWintersNews
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You can find more works by Bryce Winters on Amazon. All books are available through KU for free!
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Find and friend Bryce on Facebook and join her group, Bryce Winters’ Wildflowers, for exclusive sneak peeks and chances to win free books and swag!
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Mistletoe Mistake Page 7