He shrugged, his gaze darting around the red tent to the polar bear statue on the bar by the ice machine. “Can we see an R-rated movie?”
Giggling, I tugged his hand. “Of course. I’m notalwaysin that headspace. But I have preferences, just like anybody. I mostly want to hang out with you. It doesn’t have to cost money. We could relax at your place to watch movies, play games, talk, whatever.” Not at my house, though. Mom would be a nightmare. Even if she was at work, I had no doubt she’d sendAunt Coral and Zack over to check up on us. “What do you want to do?” I asked.
“The less people involved, the better. I say we meet at my place,” he said, leading me out of the tent.
“Yeah, at least my cousins can’t crash our date, then.” I squeezed his palm and swayed our linked hands. Alone with Harvey.His place. That was a surefire way to get to know him without any interruptions. “Thanks for being so good about them, by the way," I said.
“No problem.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Although, I don’t think your family loves the fact you’re dating a thug. They kept staring.”
I snuggled into his side. “That’s probably because you’re so pretty.”
“Nah, it’s probably the piercings.” He tugged his olive hat over his reddened ears.
“They’re not used to seeing them, that’s all,” I said, stroking his arm. “You are very striking. And when you smile, it’s dazzling.”
“What?” He laughed, then bit on his lip ring. “Is that a compliment?”
“Yes.” Was he not used to getting many?
He rolled his eyes affectionately, a flush creeping up his neck. “You know, you’re pretty damn dazzling yourself.”
I laughed and fiddled with my huge winter coat. “I spent all this time on a non-elf outfit and you won’t even see it.”
“I like your elf uniform. It brings out the green in your eyes.” He smiled, light pink dusting his cheeks as he ducked his head. “I have to admit, I miss the silver bells announcing you were near. It was the best part of my day because I knew you’d be coming in.”
“Really?” I beamed.
He nodded, letting out a puff of sparkling air. “I know it sounds cheesy, but it was the saddest part too, because it signaled when you were going away.”
No one had ever said something like that to me. My insides lit up brighter than any Christmas tree.
“Hold that thought.” I ran to a kiosk we’d passed earlier, leaving a very baffled Harvey on the path, and hurriedly purchased a stocking with two bells on it. Rushing back to him, I untied the ribbon to free the bells, then bent over to reassign them to my boot laces.
Harvey placed a hand on my lower back to help me balance. “What are you doing?”
I stuck out my feet to show off my handiwork. “I got a little something to announce my comings and goings.”
He examined the stocking, then studied my face. “You did that for me?”
I nodded and twirled, bells tinkling. “What do you think?”
Harvey scooped me up in a hug, my bells and laughter chiming. “You’re amazing,” he said.
“So are you, Harvey.”
Whatever was under my jacket: my outfit, my skin, my heart–soon, I’d show him all of it.
21
Scheduled
For days, I couldn't stop smiling–and not just because my job required it. I pranced from the line to the sleigh, floating on cloud nine and my memories of the festival. Even Frosty Santa mirrored my joy today, smirking every time I skipped, though he was too busy with kids to ask me about it.
Chestnut made time to tease me by following me to the tree cove at the start of my break. “Someone had a good time," he said.
I grinned and grabbed my phone. “Twinkly lights, a nice guy. What’s not to like?”
“Does this mean you’ll get me coffee again?” he asked.
