“Really, Rex?” Graham grumbled as he set the next delivery on the counter. “Mistletoe?”

“It’s fun!” Rex laughed. “Lots of cute couples enjoyed a little smooch thanks to that branch.”

“It’s fake, it’s ugly, and it’s hanging over your checkout counter,” Graham grumbled. “What do the single customers do, kiss the cashier?”

“Ohhh, not a bad idea,” Rex beamed.

“I was joking.”

“So? Doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea.”

“What’s not a bad idea?” Richard asked as he walked up to the counter.

“Kiss the cashier,” Rex beamed. “What do you think, want to be on the register for a day? I’m sure all the single ladies would line up for you. And a few of the men, too.” He threw a wink at Richard with a smile to show he was teasing.

Graham, however, didn’t like the implication. “I’m sure Richard’s girlfriend would object to him kissing a bunch of strangers just to make you money.”

“I, uh, actually don’t have one of those,” Richard said with a blush before it could turn into a bigger argument.

“Boyfriend?”

“Don’t have one of those either.”

“Haven’t you heard?” Rex asked. “Rich here is one of the town’s most eligible bachelors.”

“You say that like it’s some prize,” Richard grumbled. “It’s not. All it means is no one comes to the library for books anymore. They just come to flirt, giggle, and gossip.”

“Was that cynical? It sounded cynical,” Rex commented as he fiddled with the coffee machine. “You’re not supposed to sound like that at Christmas.”

Richard shrugged while Graham gave Rex the most unimpressed look he could muster.

“I mean it!” Rex whined. “Look, you both are the biggest un-Christmas people in the town. You both need to get with the spirit a little. So why don’t you go stand under the mistletoe and kiss?”

“You should stick to coffee,” Graham said. “You’re better at it.”

“Please?” Rex asked, drawing the word out into the longest whine and puppy dog eyes.

Richard sighed. “He won’t give up, so here.” He pulled Graham under the mistletoe and then lifted the other man’s hand to his mouth. Then he placed a chaste kiss to Graham’s knuckles.

Graham actually laughed. “Well, I guess that is a kiss.”