“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Shelby,” Elias says as he carefully unfolds a reindeer napkin and lays it across his lap like a perfect gentleman.
“You too.” I smile.
“Interesting place you’ve got here.” Elias gestures to the surroundings that could double as a North Pole storage unit on January 1st.
“A popular spot for families who like to get a head start on Christmas card photos,” Dallas quips. “But the burgers are phenomenal.”
I nod in agreement. “Dallas tells me you two know each other from the old days. I’m surprised we’ve never met before.”
Dallas nudges me. “Well, if you hadn’t gone off to school for all those years, maybe you would have,Dr.Sweet.”
“We’ve got a couple of mutual friends, that’s all,” Elias shares. “So, you’re a doctor?” He leans in with interest, and I notice he has a dimple. Be still my heart.
“Yes.” His warmth makes it easier to still my hands. “I’m a veterinarian.”
His responding smile is nothing short of dazzling. “I’m jealous. You get to hang out with dogs.” Good lord, he’s an animal person.
“Not so much, I’m afraid. I’m actually a large animal vet, so I mostly hang out with livestock. Still cute, just bigger.” I take a sip of my water while enjoying his hearty chuckle. This guy definitely has potential. Good job, bestie!
“Wow.”
The waitress, a local high school student, stops by to take our order. Her Santa hat headband is flashing green and red. I consider getting a salad but then decide I don’t feel like it and order an avocado turkey burger instead.
“And what do you do, Elias?” I ask once she leaves.
“I’m a college professor, but I’m on sabbatical at the moment while I’m writing a book.”
“Now it’s my turn to ‘wow.’ What do you teach?”
“Poetry.”
My eyes flash to Dallas, and it takes everything I have to not choke on my drink. “Where have you been hiding Elias all this time, Dallas?”
His jaw looks a little tight when he responds, “Oh, I don’t know.”
Elias and I go back to chatting, enjoying ourselves throughout the meal. Dallas is awfully silent, but I figure he’s just trying to give me time to get to know Elias to decide if he’s our prince charming candidate.
Because the sooner we find the prince, the sooner this fake engagement can be over with, and our lives can go back to normal. And there’s nothing Dallas wants more than that. I’m sure of it.
Chapter
Ten
THAT PLACE IS BEING HELD TOGETHER BY TERMITES HOLDING HANDS
Dallas
What the actual fuck is happening here? Shelby’s cheeks are flushed. Elias has shifted further across the bench seat to be directly across from Shelby, not me. These two can’t seem to remember I’m even sitting at this fuckin’ table. Rude, if you ask me. Which they won’t because they’re too busy flirting. Doesn’t Elias see the big ass ring on her finger?
You know, I liked this guy. Thought he might be perfect for Shelby, but I’m seeing his true colors now, and they’re ugly.
“Hate to break this up, but Shelby has an early day tomorrow, and my honey bear needs her sleep.” I slide out of the booth and hold out my hand to Shelby. If I hear one more goddamn Christmas carol from the speaker above my head, I might scream.
She blinks up at me in surprise. “Don’t we need to pay first?”
My polite grin turns into a grimace. “I already did.”Which you’d know if you were paying me any attention at all.
“Thanks, man. That’s awfully nice of you.” Elias, the fiancé-stealing asshole, shakes my outstretched hand like we’re buds. Pals.
