Chapter 3

"You didn't get smoochies?" Cordelia asked in shock.

Willow shrugged. "Maybe I'm not kissable?"

"You are definitely kissable, Will. If I were gay, I'd totally kiss you," she replied, putting a hand on Willow's arm.

Willow blushed, looking down. "Thanks…I think," she said, looking back up. "But no, there were no smoochies. Nada. Zilch. Zip. None."

"I get the picture, Will," Cordelia said with a little giggle before frowning. "I gave him the perfect opportunity, too. This will take more work than I thought."

Willow backed up when Cordelia's eyes light up with a grin. "I don't like that look, Cor. It's your 'I have an idea' look, and it's scary."

Cordelia laughed lightly. "Sometimes Xander has the best ideas," she said, standing and going to her desk. "I mean, you wouldn't think so with the way he acts. Ugh, and those clothes, but he has a bright idea every now and then."

"Xander? My Xander? Xander Harris? As in the Xander who you dated, Xander?" Willow asked, her eyes widening. "Okay, now I'm really scared."

"Got it!" Cordelia exclaimed, pulling a mangled piece of mistletoe out of the bottom of her desk drawer.

"Cordelia, is that what I think it is?" Willow asked with a wary look.

Cordelia held it up with a grin. "Mistletoe!" she said, trying to smooth it out a little. "It's a little on the bruised side. I threw it in there last Christmas when I got mad that Ange- Well, that doesn't matter."

Willow giggled. "I know that story. He's very sorry," she said, then made a face. "Right, off topic, sorry. How does this fit in with Xander?"

"Christmas in June, remember?" she asked, pulling out a tack. She stood, going to the doorway to tack it to the doorframe. "Okay, stupid idea at first, right? I mean, who sees demon goo and thinks 'Christmas!' but it's Xander, so we'll let that slide," she said, standing back. "What do you think?"

"I think I'm going to go hide now," Willow said, starting for the door.

Cordelia grabbed Willow's arm, pulling her back. "Uh uh, Missy. You're staying right here, because," she said, looking out the door with a grin. "Here comes Riley!"

Willow groaned. "If you let me go, I'll go shopping with you the next five times and I won't complain. Promise."

Cordelia ignored her, walking to the door of the office. "Oh, Riley. Could you come here? Willow had a question for you," she said with a grin.

Riley smiled. "Sure, Cordy," he replied, walking to the door. He looked in and smiled warmly at Willow. "What do you need, Will?"

Cordelia grabbed Willow's arm, jerking her forward and almost into Riley. "Oh, look, mistletoe in June," she said, rolling her eyes. "Xander's such a dork. He just won't give up on his demon theory will he?"

Willow glared at Cordelia, but Cordelia just smiled. "You two kids have fun now," Cordelia said, winking at Willow, then walking away.

Riley looked down at Willow with a knowing smile. "Is she trying to give me a hint?" he asked, trying to get Willow to smile.

Willow smiled shyly, blushing and ducking her head. "Maybe," she said looking back up at him through her eyelashes. "I think I should tell you, it wasn't Xander's idea. The mistletoe? It was Cordy's."

Riley hooked a finger under Willow's chin to bring her face up to his, lowering his voice to almost a whisper. "I think I should tell you, it was a good one," he replied, dipping his head and kissing her gently.

"See, I told you it would work," Cordelia whispered, watching Riley and Willow from the door of Angel's office.

Angel rolled his eyes, putting his arm around her waist and gently pulling her back. "Would you stop spying on them?"

"I'm not spying," Cordelia replied, turning to face him. "I'm…being a concerned friend."

Angel laughed softly. "You're being a nosy friend. Leave them alone."

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "You know you love when I'm nosy," she pointed out, giving Angel a look.

Angel didn't reply. Instead, her stepped forward, pressing his lips to Cordelia's.

Cordelia pulled back enough to break the kiss. "Are you just trying to shut me up?" she asked, then grinned. "Because it's working."

Angel grinned back. "Then maybe I am," he replied, kissing her again.