I try each one again, lingering. “They’re too good. You’re a great baker, Ryder.”
He acknowledges the praise with the flick of his wrist.
“The mousse cake,” I finally say.
The elf makes a note on his phone. “Meg agreed. Mom voted for the brownie?—”
“Is that like an inside joke?”
“—and Dad liked the cannoli.”
“Have you asked anyone else?”
“Nope, just my favorite people.” He grins at me.
“You’re so full of it.”
“For what it’s worth, I like you better than Keira. She wasn’t good for Rowan.”
“Anna said the same thing.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. “But Keira is…”
“Gorgeous?” he raises his eyebrows. “Poised? Successful?”
I swallow. “Yeah.”
“She’s also impatient, pushy, and selfish.”
“I don’t feel like I measure up. Like, literally, she’s probably six inches taller than me.”
“You are adorable—the kind of girl a man wants to cuddle up to and protect.”
“You make me sound like a purse dog.”
He chuckles, picking up the spare fork from a plate and twirling it between his fingers. “Believe me, you are just as appealing as Keira, but in your own way. More even, because you’re pretty inside, too. If Rowan is keeping you at arm’s length, it’s because he’s scared. Too often, people who are supposed to love him don’t. Give him some time. He’ll feel better if he can figure out how to break the bond.”
“You don’t think Keira loved him?”
“I don’t. Though we can’t necessarily fault her for that. I’m not sure the woman has a heart.”
One thing is obvious: Ryder isn’t going to side with Rowan’s ex. I take another bite of the pie and chew slowly, brooding over our strange situation.
The elf digs into a corner of the mousse cake. Closing his eyes as he eats the bite, he smiles, apparently pleased with the chocolate-covered fruits of his labor. “Thisisgood. I impress even myself sometimes.”
I laugh, standing. “Don’t forget to give Arista my check, okay?”
“Will do.”
I’m almost to the door when the elf calls, “Hey, Kit.”
I turn back. “What?”
“I’ve seen Rowan with Keira, and I’ve seen him with you, and you don’t have to worry. He will choose you every day, all day. No doubt in my mind.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He smirks. “That’s why it’s going to really break his heart when you run away with me.”
Grinning, I shake my head and head out the door. “Goodbye, Ryder.”
