Page 104 of Elf-ish

Jude reaches for a remote on the dashboard, and the lights in the warehouse dim. It’s then that I notice strings upon strings of white Christmas lights overhead, dangling from the ceiling like stars.

Jude sets his arm behind me on the bench seat and twists, aiming the remote out the back window where a projector apparently clicks on and the movie screen lights up.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas begins playing on the screen, and I laugh, clapping my hands together. “Are you serious?” But my voice is tickled.

“At the drive-in, there’s typically a double feature. Or a short film before the featured show. I figured we could watch this one first.”

I shift beside him. “This is the sweetest, Jude.” I can hardly contain my smile, and I lean toward him, kissing him, soft and sweet, taking my time to savor his mouth until the first word from the narrator.

Pulling back, I offer him another wide grin.

“Is this the part where you try to seduce me and I don’t need to question it,” I tease.

His brows hitch. “Does this feel like a seduction? We don’t have to do anything other than watch the movies.”

“It feels romantic,” I admit, maybe a bit wistful, watching Jude’s face morph from serious intention to something softer, almost vulnerable. Like he hadn’t considered how romantic this might be.

While the movie plays, Jude pours each of us a mug of mulled wine and points out the variety of candy.

“Mint M&Ms, please,” I exclaim, excited to see the seasonal candy in the mix.

“You and your mint chocolates,” he teases, selecting a package of Mikes and Ikes.

When the first movie ends, I’m warm from the wine and sharing the confined space with Jude. He shrugs out of his jacket, and I do the same, but Jude pulls a plaid blanket from behind the seat and settles it over our laps.

The space isn’t cold, but it’s not overly warm either, but snuggled beneath his arm, tucked inside this truck, I’m cozy.

The next movie begins after a brief commercial with dancing hot dogs and singing sodas about visiting the concession stand.

I laugh while Jude combs his fingers through my hair.

When the words A Christmas Carol highlight the screen, I shift to look at Jude.

“You didn’t?”

“I did.” He curls a long spiral of my hair around his finger. “Figured it was my theme this year.”

“I love it.” I snuggle back into his side, setting my head on his shoulder, accepting I might be in love with Jude. After such a short time, my heart is nearly bursting, three sizes too large for my chest.

As the movie plays, Jude and I occasionally kiss, until the kissing turns to making out, then heavy petting, and finally each of us has our hands down the other’s pants until we’re shoving the picnic basket to the floor and Jude lays me back on the bench seat.

We have sex while the movie plays on and miss the transformational moments for Ebenezer Scrooge, having our own life-altering moment in the cab of the truck.

chapter 33

[Jude]

Angelica volunteers for The Giving Tree, so I carve out an hour to attend the children’s hospital gift-giving event to surprise her.

Who surprises me is Ed Marksman. I’d forgotten again how the Marksmans were involved in the charity.

“Jude,” the Ashford’s board member addresses me with shock as I enter the toy collection room where Ed is dressed like Santa Claus.

With the call of my name, Angelica turns from whatever she’s doing and stares at me with equal surprise. She sets down the wrapped gift in her hand and approaches, walking right into me for a hug, which I return. Hugging her has become easier and easier.

“What are you doing here?” she questions, pulling back while giving me a large grin.

“I thought I’d surprise you. And help.” I glance up as Ed’s brows pinch.