*****
I can barely meet Santa’s eyes the rest of the evening. I can’t believe I allowed myself to word vomit all over a perfect stranger. And not just any stranger—one dressed as freaking Santa Claus. Bridget will have a field day when I tell her. Except I’m not sure if Icantell her, since part of said word vomit involved admitting I’m envious of her relationship and want what she has.
The moment the announcement comes over the loudspeaker that the village is empty of visitors, I book it toward Elf Central. Bridget asked me at lunch if I’d join her for drinks tonight at a new bar near her house. She said she wouldn’t blame me if I said no after the busy week I’ve had, but this is the only night she’ll have free for awhile. Luckily, I caught my second wind about an hour ago, plus I have two blissful days off starting now, so I can’t pass up an opportunity to spend the evening with my best friend.
When I reach the lounge in Elf Central, several people have already changed into regular clothes. Meredith appears from one of the dressing rooms wearing dark jeans and a sparkly silver top. If it weren’t for her signature blond curls, I’d hardly recognize her outside her elf costume.
“Good, you’re here!” She intercepts me before I can grab my things. “A bunch of us are going to Connelly’s Pub tonight, and I was hoping to cash in that rain check.”
“Oh.” I deflate slightly. Figures it would be the one night I have plans. “I’m meeting my best friend at a new bar near her place. Maybe next week?”
“Of course.” She hesitates for a minute as if she wants to say more. I hope she doesn’t think I’m purposely avoiding them or that I don’t want to hang out with my fellow elves outside of work.
I’m saved from over-thinking when my phone rings. “That’s probably my friend now. Excuse me.” I assume it’s Bridget since hardly anyone ever calls me.
The sound of fingers aggressively hitting a keyboard greet me when I answer, followed by a growl from Bridget. “Hey,” she says. “I’m so, so sorry, but I’m going to have to cancel tonight. Kenneth screwed up a project that’s due next week and I want to get a head start on fixing it so I’m not working all weekend.”
I groan in sympathy. Another example of being the boss meaning more than just big paychecks and perks. “I can come in and help if you want.”
She sighs. “No, you go home and enjoy your night, my little elf. I might recruit you for help tomorrow if I need it. I really am sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, we’ll go another time. Don’t work too late.”
“I’ll try not to. Love you, Ives.”
I tell her I love her too and hang up.
“Sounds like you’re free tonight after all,” Meredith says. She’s still standing a few feet away. In the time since I took Bridget’s call, a guy has joined Meredith. A seriously hot guy. Tall, solidly built, dark stubble dusting his cheeks, and great hair—dark and wavy. The kind of hair you want to run your fingers through. There’s something vaguely familiar about him; none of the male elves are as tall as he is, so I don’t think that’s it. I wonder if he’s Meredith’s boyfriend and I’ve seen him around without taking too much notice.
“It’s been one of those days,” I tell her. “I should probably just head home.”
“Oh come on,please?” She draws out the last word. “You know what a great cure is for ‘one of those days’?Alcohol.”
Can’t argue with that. What awaits me at home anyway? An hour of TV, listening to Celia complain about one thing or another, and then a chapter or two of my latest book before bed?
“You really should join us,” the guy with her says. Holy hotness, he has a Scottish accent.
“Okay, okay,” I concede. “I just need to find Celia and drive her home, then I’ll meet you there?” Celia doesn’t drink and she hates being in places where there are drunk people. According to her, they’re ‘stupid and insufferable’, so I doubt she’d be interested in coming along.
“Yay!” Meredith bounces on the balls of her feet. Her momentum carries her forward until she crashes into me. I choke out a laugh as the wind is nearly knocked from my lungs. Meredith wraps her arms around me, giggling in my ear. “Sorry. My mom says I’m like a puppy. I get overly excited about things and then lose control of my own limbs.”
She releases me and takes a step back, scanning the room until her gaze settles on someone. “Peri can’t come tonight and she lives near you, so I’m sure she’d give your cousin a ride. That way you can come with us in Santa’s sleigh. He drops a bunch of people back here at the end of the night to get their cars, or he can take you home and you can get your car tomorrow if you want to have more than one drink. He’s great like that.” She beams at the guy beside her and elbows him in a wink-wink nudge-nudge way.
My brain jutters to a stop. “Santa’s sleigh?”
Meredith does a facepalm. “I keep forgetting you’re new here. That’s what we call Hugh’s car because it’s huge and can fit so many of us. Plus he’s always hauling toys and books around, so it’s actually like Santa’s sleigh.”
“And Hugh is…” I trail off in question.
Understanding dawns on Meredith’s face. She bites her lip as if she’s holding back a smile. “Oh my god, Ivy, I’m sorry. I had no idea you hadn’t met Santa yet.”
“But I have. I made an ass of myself with him earlier before spending the rest of the night working as the gatekeeper in Santa’s House.”
It’s probably my imagination, but I swear a hint of pink darkens Meredith’s cheeks. She shakes her head and points to the hot Scot, who’s smiling knowingly. “Ivy, meet Santa. This is Hugh MacKinnon.”
