“No, wait!” I whisper-shouted, now holding the smaller, female version of Leo’s elf costume.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I was meant to look cute and polished while Leo was set to look like he’d just stepped off the red eye from the North Pole.
I looked daggers at the green dress with red trim and cinched leather belt. The gold buckle twinkled in the overhead light, mocking me.
“Was that Valerie? That woman took my car keys and now I know why.” Leo had finished changing and stood behind me, rifling through the basket of mini candy canes. “Are these forus too?” he asked, popping one out of the plastic wrapper and sticking it under his tongue. His gaze bounced between my panic-stricken expression and the elf costume in my hand.
It wasn’t difficult to infer what had happened.
He sucked on the candy cane. “I know you tried to embarrass me, Bennett. But you can’t. Because I look good. Even in this getup. Seems like your plan failed, and now you have to wear one, too.”
“My plans do not fail.” I swept past him toward the changing screen. “No peeking!” I shouted over the top of the wall.
Leo chuckled. “I would never. That’s your job.”
I clenched my jaw and shimmied out of my skinny jeans. Maybe the costume wouldn’t fit. What were the odds that the girl who didn’t show was my exact size? Then again, what were the odds Leo could pull off an elf costume? He looked goofy, of course, but in a sexy way, like he was in on the joke and confident enough to pull it off.
“Revenge only works in the movies,” I muttered as I buttoned the front of the velvet A-line dress. The skirt fell above my knees and the belt fit snugly around my waist. I slipped my striped stockinged feet into the pointed shoes and sighed.
This was happening. Might as well make the best of it. I’d save a reindeer. It was only a matter of time before I played Santa’s helper, too.
I stepped from behind the screen and planted my hands on my hips. “Don’t say a word.”
The candy cane crunched between Leo’s teeth. He went still; his gaze dipping to my boots, sliding slowly up my stockings, then settled somewhere around my fur neckline.
“Stop it!” I hissed. “This is a family event. That is not a PG-rated look.”
I should know, I gave the same look a trial run not ten minutes ago.
“You started it.” He leaned in, settling the elf hat on my head with a soft jingle. “So what’s the plan, boss?”
The plan? Right—the plan that did not include dragging Leo behind the dressing screen so I could manifest a little more of my missing joy.
I squared my shoulders. “The plan is to hand out candy canes. Smile at folks, and when I announce your proposal to rebuild the skating rink and gazebo at the resort, do exactly as I say.”
“Great. You’re going to start a riot at a kid’s event. Have you thought through scarring children’s memories of the time they met Santa? Instead of an elf, I should dress up as Freddy Kreuger.”
I placed both hands on Leo’s shoulders and forcefully turned him toward the door. He grabbed the basket of candy canes before I pushed him through.
“It’s showtime,” I said as we walked side-by-side into Santa’s village like two elves going into a tinsel-strewn battle.
Chapter 9
Sage
“I thought you preferredtoxic caroling,” Leo said, angling his head toward the group of festive singers decked out in red and green, greeting families as they approached Santa’s insulated tent. Multi-colored lights and giant bows decorated the space, while velvet ropes with gold stanchions contained the kids line, eager for their turn.
I took in the delicious scent of cinnamon mixed with the faint aroma of cocoa and elbowed Leo in the ribs.
“Just smile. You’re doing great.”
“I am smiling. I think my face might be frozen in this position. I may never frown again. What’s a villain to do?”
I jabbed him again and nodded innocently as a mother chased her daughter to a stop in front of Leo’s basket full of candy canes. He offered the kid one, then winked and pulled another one from behind her ear. The girl giggled and clutched both candy canes to her heart before racing off into Santa’s tent.
“You do magic, too?” I groaned. This plan was a disaster! Yes—it was brilliant and already starting to work—but it was impossible to stay mad at a handsome elf who could do party tricks. Where was my shrewd internal voice to warn me of the consequences of my actions? Was she also drunk on Leo’s appeal, like some tipsy sprite who fell into the holiday punchbowl?
“Don’t be jealous. You’re still the best witch in town.”
