Page 57 of Elf-ish

When she steps away, I apologize. “Sorry about that. That was just . . . not like her.”

“So that was your sister,” he states, like he’s checking off a list. “Next comes Dane and then Beau, the brother getting married.”

Nope, not happening. “I’ve let you off the hook. Be happy. Take the win.”

His brows severely pinch. “By forfeit, and I’m not letting you quit.”

“Deals can be broken. Let’s just say coming here today makes up for whatever guilt you are feeling. Consider us even.”

“This isn’t a date, Angel.” Jude steps closer to me, swiping back a strand of hair that’s come loose from my ponytail. “And our deal was a date for a date.”

Actually, our deal turned into a two-night stay for two dates, but po-tay-to, pa-tah-to.

“Well, whatever this was, we can be done.”

Jude lets his finger glide down the side of my neck, watching the trail he makes. My body trembles beneath the tender touch.

“I don’t want to be done,” he quietly says. “And whatever this is . . .” He pauses to glance at my eyes. “Is me trying to make a better impression on you than the one you have.”

My breath hitches, and my gaze drops to his mouth. A mug slips from my hand into the stainless-steel sink, bouncing against the side.

Jude chuckles. “Back to work, little elf.” The fingers along my neck drift over my shoulder before he spins for a fresh coffee carafe and heads for the five-gallon percolator to refill the container.

With a wink in my direction, he exits the kitchen, leaving me stupefied.

Why would Jude Ashford want to impress me?

chapter 18

[Angelica]

After breakfast with Santa, Jude quietly excuses himself while I’m in the middle of a final inspection of the kitchen. He stayed to help the cleanup crew pick up and dispose of trash, and he folded tables and chairs, assisting in collecting both items and returning them to the storage closet.

Three days have passed since then, and I haven’t heard from him. Deep down, I’d hoped I might, but logic told me I wouldn’t.

I picked up an extra shift on Monday, then worked my regular two days, and went to the bar with Maddix afterward. I hadn’t been feeling great, so I told Maddix one drink was my limit. O’Malley’s is our regular stop and the location of last week’s A Snowball’s Chance fundraiser.

Sitting beside me at the bar, Maddix says, “I can’t believe you missed the fundraiser.”

“I told you, I wasn’t feeling well.” The lie was the excuse I used because I didn’t want the guys knowing I’d agreed to go on a date with a previous patient. Even if it was a fake date.

Karma seems to be catching up with me, though, as my throat is itchy and my face has that tingly the-flu-is-coming-for-you sensation. Even with a flu shot, I get a severe cold at least once a year.

Tis the season.

Still, I’m able to swallow down a beer I probably shouldn’t be drinking.

“Ever get a date for Beau’s wedding?” Maddix teases while I stare mindlessly up at the television behind the bar playing a holiday movie on mute with subtitles.

“Yeah, but it isn’t going to work out.”

“What? You haven’t even gone out with the guy,” Maddix prods.

“And I shouldn’t.” I squint, swallowing down the lie, because I have already gone out with Jude, so to speak. We had a rather incredible two nights when I think back on the time. Our fake relationship felt real in rare moments. That kiss certainly felt real. But his silence means he’s accepted our broken deal. I’ll probably never see Jude Ashford again.

For some silly reason, my eyes blur while reading the subtitles on the television screen, and I rapidly blink back the threat of tears. I’d never be able to explain them to my partner.

Maddix is quiet beside me a second before he says, “I’m still available to go with you.”