Mistletoe Match-Up — Stacey Joy Netzel

The competition is heating up all over again...

When Lisa Riley comes home for her brother Mark's Christmas Eve wedding, her high school rivalry with his wife Janelle's cousin, Derek Walsh, picks up right where it left off, only this time Derek has the upper hand. Santa bides his time as they battle it out because he's waited a whole year for this mistletoe match-up.

~*~

She ignored Derek and smiled at Mark and Janelle. “I would love to help.”

“Great!” Janelle exclaimed. She looked from Lisa, to Derek, and back. “Hey, wouldn't it be fun if you two had a little contest to see who could raise the most money? Just like old times.”

Derek's hands clenched at his side. Great. Just great, Janelle. He waited for Lisa to gleefully pounce at the opportunity to bury him again, only to be surprised by her dismayed expression.

“I don't know if that's such a good idea,” she said.

He should be relieved. Instead, his competitive demon demanded retribution for all the humiliation it'd endured during the old times. He'd bury her. “Why not?” he asked.

Her gaze remained locked on his cousin. “No offense, Janelle, but it seems a little silly. I mean, we're not in high school anymore.”

Derek relaxed and fell into their old pattern with ease. “What's the matter, Lisa, afraid you've lost your magic touch? Are you not up for the challenge?”

That got her. Her spine stiffened and fire gleamed in her eyes. “Of course I am.”

He fake frowned, nodded his head with understanding, and stage whispered, “I get it.”

“Get what?”

Derek glanced at their captive audience. “Nothing.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. He valiantly avoided staring at her increased cleavage. It wasn't so hard with his grandparents and her brother watching. And her silent demand for an answer.

“I probably shouldn't say it now. Not in front of everyone.”

Lisa's eyes narrowed. “Please, do enlighten us -- all of us.” Her condescending sarcasm stroked the blood-thirsty devil on his shoulder. Their audience of respective family members waited in expectation. Grandpa, in particular, appeared to enjoy the exchange immensely. This next part would almost make high school worth it.

Derek shrugged. “Obviously, it's me.”

“You?” She infused the single word with an appropriate amount of humorous disbelief and disdain, only she avoided looking him in the eye.

“You're scared you can't handle me all grown up.”

Romancing Wisconsin, a USA Today bestselling series from NY Times bestselling author, Stacey Joy Netzel

To everything there is a season...

Love finds a way during the four seasons in the Romancing Wisconsin Series. Starting with Christmas/Winter, then moving on to the rest of the seasons, check out this bestselling, heartwarming series set in small town Wisconsin, where hope springs eternal for each happily ever after. Sexy military heroes, runaway brides, surprise babies, secret weddings, single parents -- meet the Rileys, the Walshes, family friends, and best of all, Butch...a.k.a. Santa Butch. The mischievous matchmaker makes a cameo in each story -- adding a touch of magic to the lives of everyone he loves, and even those he's just met.

Romancing Wisconsin Series
Mistletoe Mischief
Mistletoe Magic
Mistletoe Match-Up
Mistletoe Rules �" short bonus story
Autumn Wish
Autumn Bliss
Autumn Kiss
Autumn Glimmer �" short bonus story
Spring Fling
Spring Serendipity
Spring Dreams
Spring Spark �" short bonus story