The Mistle-Tones

Holly arrives at the Snow Belles audition full of hope and nerves. She performs with confidence even after arriving late, but Marci ultimately passes her over in favor of Staci. The rejection stings and pushes Holly to reconsider her path.

Holly's sister encourages her to carve out her own musical path rather than chasing the Snow Belles. The idea starts to feel worth pursuing as Holly weighs her options. It plants the seed for a new venture.

The mall manager agrees to host auditions as a publicity stunt for the Christmas event. He invites Holly's fledgling group to compete, signaling a chance to showcase their talent. The plan shifts Holly from rejection to opportunity.

Holly pulls together a makeshift lineup from her coworkers—AJ, Larry, and Bernie—and begins rehearsals in a dusty warehouse. The group starts to form its identity despite limited resources. The spark of a real band begins to form.

After the second day, AJ tells Holly they're close, but Holly feels they still need something more to stand out. The pressure to distinguish themselves grows as rehearsal continues. They push to find a signature edge.

That night, Holly seeks shelter in a tavern after a close call on the road and discovers Nick performing a high-energy version of Burning Love. She records his performance and uses it to pressure him into helping the Mistle-Tones. His presence promises a boost in talent and crowd appeal.

Nick agrees to help but insists he won't become a formal member at first. Over time, his warmth and stage presence win him over, and he begins to participate in rehearsals. The group starts to feel like a real team.

During a late rehearsal, Staci hides in the warehouse and records the Mistle‑Tones with Nick singing alongside them. The footage captures an undeniable chemistry between Nick and Holly. The video hints at a rising on-stage dynamic.

Holly invites Nick to join them for a drink at Dickens Tavern, and they retrieve the mistletoe she’d taken from his office. They officially name the group the Mistle‑Tones as their video presence grows. The bonding moment seals their new identity.

As the Mistle‑Tones’ video spreads, Marci begins to see Holly as a genuine threat and offers Holly a spot in the Snow Belles to keep the rivalry in check. Holly weighs the offer, considering what it would mean for her group's future. The choice looms large.

At the company Christmas party, Nick interrupts proceedings with a spontaneous performance. A promotion announcement soon follows, and he learns the offer would require him to depart that evening, testing whether his future lies with Holly or elsewhere. The moment plants seeds for a major choice.

A few days later, at the Christmas Eve show, Holly sees Nick in the crowd and he steps forward with a heartfelt request to sing with her. He explains he turned down the promotion to stay by her side. The two perform a duet on the makeshift stage as the town cheers, signaling a bright future for the Mistle‑Tones.