Mistletoe and Mimosas

by Tara Sheets

Genres: Contemporary Romance; Holiday Romance

Synopsis

Curl up with this cozy Christmas romance perfect for fans of Holiday Ever After and In a Holidaze and let it snow...

After years of hard work, real estate agent Layla Gentry has her dream home on Pine Cove Island. She’s perfectly content to be on her own. Until her childhood nemesis, Sebastian, comes to town. When a snowstorm and a stranded kitten bring them together on Christmas Eve, Layla discovers he’s all grown up—and she may have one more dream left . . .

Previously published in A Snowy Little Christmas

Release date: October 27, 2026

Publisher: Zebra Books

Print pages: 100

Sample

It’s not that Layla Gentry hated snow; it’s that she just wasn’t prepared. For starters, her outfit was all wrong, and that was enough to throw her off her game. As a top real estate agent on Pine Cove Island, she prided herself on looking her best at all times, and stepping through icy sludge in her favorite stilettos was not part of the plan this morning. Why didn’t she check the weather forecast before leaving her house? It wasn’t unheard of to get mid-December snow in the Pacific Northwest, but it had happened so fast. When she pulled out of her driveway, the sky had been a crisp, clear blue. But by the time she drove into the Daisy Meadows Pet Rescue parking lot, the snow flurry was in full swing.

A thin layer of frost blanketed the pavement, and the brisk wind caught at Layla’s dark hair, pulling strands free from her carefully crafted bun to tumble around her face. Unfortunately, her thin pencil skirt did nothing to block the chilly breeze, and her fitted silk blouse was already scattered with dark water droplets from melted snowflakes. Layla sighed. So much for looking pulled together for the weekly office meeting. Maybe today wasn’t the best day to surprise her friend Kat with holiday cupcakes on the way to work, but it was too late now.

Balancing the Fairy Cakes bakery box with one hand, Layla shut her car door and tiptoed gingerly through the slushy parking lot. The front entrance of the newly remodeled animal shelter was decorated with a Christmas wreath, jingle bells, and a bright red welcome mat.

Layla pushed through the front door and paused to admire the view. If it weren’t for the surprising distraction in front of her, she might’ve taken a moment to appreciate the soft holiday music or the fresh scent of evergreens from the little tree in the front window. But the tall, dark stranger standing at the reception desk stole all Layla’s attention.

She didn’t have a clear view of his face since he stood with his back to the door, but it was a nice back, so she wasn’t complaining. He was wearing jeans and a blue flannel shirt, and he had broad, muscular shoulders, a trim, athletic build, and glossy dark hair. Even his voice was appealing—low and whisky-smooth. There was something vaguely familiar about it that made Layla’s skin prickle with physical awareness, which was unusual. Her reaction surprised her even more than the sudden snow outside.

Layla’s friend Kat sat behind the reception desk, her red hair frizzing around her head like a fiery halo. When she caught sight of Layla standing inside the front door, her face lit up in a mischievous smile. “If you linger beneath what hangs above, you’ll soon be falling deep in love.”

The man tilted his head. “Pardon?”

“Not you,” Kat said with a laugh. “My friend over there.” She pointed toward Layla. “She’s standing under my cousin’s magic Holloway mistletoe. It’s charmed to help people find true love.”

Layla glanced up at the fresh sprig of mistletoe tied with a red satin ribbon hanging above her head. Fall in love? Not a snowball’s chance. She wasn’t interested in falling, thank you very much. Occasional dating was fine, but that whole dream of “always and forever” just wasn’t for her. If there was one thing she’d learned growing up with a single mom, it was that relationships were messy, tricky things, and tumbling head over high heels for someone wasn’t worth the trouble.

Layla grinned at her friend as she approached the desk. “You should know by now, I have no intentions of falling, tripping, or stumbling into anything.”

The tall stranger turned to face her.

Layla glanced up and stutter-stepped, her smile fading fast.

No. It couldn’t be!

Her fingers clutched the bakery box to her chest in surprised shock. Of all the good-looking backsides, why’d it have to be attached to him?

Sebastian Harrington, her high school nemesis, stood smiling down at her as if they were old friends and he’d never left Pine Cove Island all those years ago. What was he doing back?

Kat introduced them, oblivious to Layla’s inner turmoil. “Dr. Harrington is taking over the new veterinary clinic down the road,” she chirped happily. “He just stopped by to check on one of our rescue dogs.”

Sebastian’s gaze settled on Layla, and his mouth curved into a slow smile—the same smile that used to grace the halls at Pine Cove High. Cocky and confident. Teasing. Bothersome. “Hi, Layla.” His voice was warm and deep, coming from some far-off place in her past she’d rather forget.

Oh, no. He didn’t get to say “hi” like it was nothing. Like they were just passing in the grocery aisle. Like he wasn’t the one who’d traumatized her with his rich kid cronies and defined the meaning of the word “humiliation.”

She lifted her chin and tried to look unmoved. It wasn’t easy, because Sebastian was one of those people who glowed. He always had been, even back in high school. It was totally unfair, in Layla’s opinion, for someone so annoying to be blessed with both a rich family and the kind of sinful good looks that could melt polar ice caps. Now, after so many years, he looked even better. He’d filled out in all the right places, and there were faint laugh lines at the corners of his dark blue eyes. Luckily, all she had to do was remember his personality, and it kept her grounded. He’d been self-centered and condescending back then, and she doubted much had changed over the years.

“How are you?” he asked. There was a flash of warmth in his eyes that, if she didn’t know better, seemed almost genuine.

“Good.” Layla cleared her throat. “Just great.” She gave him a tight smile, the kind she reserved for difficult clients or the grouchy cashier at the Gas ’n’ Go. Forcing herself to turn back to Kat, she set the box of cupcakes on the desk. “I brought you some holiday cheer.”

“Hallelujah! I knew you were more than just a pretty face.” Kat flipped open the lid and eyed the delicately frosted cupcakes with glee.

The heavenly scents of French vanilla and rich caramel wafted up from the bakery box, teasing Layla’s senses and making her mouth water, which really just seemed wrong. The delightful cupcakes were marred by the presence of the man standing next to her who, in Layla’s opinion, was the furthest thing from delightful.

“Dr. Harrington, you have to try one,” Kat said. “They’re so good, they’ll change your life.”

“No, thank you.” Sebastian held up a hand. “I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.”

Kat gasped. “No sweet tooth?” She lifted out a fluffy white cupcake with caramel drizzled over the top. “That’s a tragedy right there. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Sebastian chuckled, and the sound of it did warm, tingly things to Layla’s insides, which she promptly ignored.

“Layla will have one,” Kat said, pushing the box toward her. “She’s a sucker for anything sweet.”

“Not today,” Layla blurted. “Sorry. I’m in a huge rush, so I can’t stay and chat, but we’ll catch up soon.” She backed away from the desk.

“Wait!” Kat said. “You’re coming to the holiday party at the community center on Saturday, right? Don’t you dare say you’re too busy. There’s more to life than just work, Layla Gentry, and you need to let loose once in a while.”

“Okay, okay. Fine.” She hadn’t given the holiday party much thought, but if she said no, Kat would demand reasons, and Layla didn’t have time to make anything up. All she knew was that she really didn’t want to chitchat with Sebastian standing there watching her. It was unsettling to realize that she still felt like the poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks in front of him. Even after all this time. Get a grip!

“One more thing,” Kat called out as Layla pushed open the front door. “You’re up next on our pet volunteer list. I’ve got a kitten coming in who needs a temporary home, and you’re it.”

Layla groaned. “So soon?” Two weeks ago, over drinks at O’Malley’s Pub after work, Kat had convince. . .