As Mayor of Mistletoe Bay, I didn't realize saving Christmas was part of my job description. But when our tree lighting ceremony threatens to go off the rails, it's up to me to step in and play Santa. Finding a new Mrs. Claus proves a bit more challenging-until my daughter's best friend volunteers his mom for the job.

The owner of our local Christmas tree farm, Jemma Price and I go way back. We dated in high school, but after graduation, we chose different paths in life. Still, through it all-the marriages, the kids, and then our divorces-we always stayed friends.

But lately, it's not friendship I'm thinking about. It's the way Jemma's laugh still gets under my skin, and how good her lips used to taste. And now, I can't help but wonder if our past isn't the whole story. What if this Christmas is when our forever finally begins?