Page 12 of Elf-ish

We eye one another before he finally breaks, scanning down my body with those cool eyes. “I’m very good at selecting a perfect fit.”

“I just bet you are,” I mutter. And the last thing I want to think about is Jude Ashford picking out lingerie for me.

After another awkward minute, where Jude refuses to leave me alone, he states, “Maybe we should head to the evening wear department first anyway. You’ll need to know what your dress is like before you pick something from the intimate persuasion.”

“Evening wear?” I question.

“Yes. The company Christmas party is a formal affair.”

What the Christmas trees?

“I didn’t agree to the date exchange,” I remind him.

“But you will.” He winks. Pure devil-don’t-care is in that flinch of his eyelid. Like he’s a man used to getting what he wants, and he strangely wants me to agree to a date with him.

Me and my sassy mouth. I should have known Jude didn’t have a sense of humor when I was joking that Ashford’s had dates as a commodity.

Plus, does he not see me? I glance down at my outfit to notice the smear of toothpaste near one of the HOs and the widening of the hole in my leggings. I can’t afford an evening gown. I’m already sweating over all the items he piled up from the various departments we visited and had sent down to gift wrap, where I will cash out later.

“Jude,” I groan, like his name says everything; No, and never happening, and get over yourself with this idea.

“Look, you need a date and so do I,” he attempts to reason. “It’s equally beneficial, and I’m an equal opportunity employer.” He smooths his hand down the front of his crisp shirt, as if proud.

“Well, I don’t work for you. And if I agreed, it would only be because it also benefits me. You aren’t the boss of me. I’d be cooperating, not submitting to you.”

“So, is that a yes?” A flare of something bright sparks in those cold eyes, lessening the icy effect of them. The corner of his mouth twitches once again, the flash of that dimple whipping out like a rare beam of light in a dark night.

“Maybe.” I sigh, knowing I don’t need a date, but it still would be nice to have one for Beau’s wedding. A little buffer from the family and their well-meaning but incessant questions about my lack of a love life.

“Fine,” I groan. I cannot believe I’m agreeing to this exchange.

“Excellent.” The excitement in Jude’s voice is surprising and a bit alarming. He’s a child who has gotten exactly what he wanted from Santa. “And, as it’s my party, I’ll pay for your dress.”

“You don’t have to do that.” As an EMT, I make decent money, but not money to purchase an evening gown that I’ll only wear once in my entire life. Still, I can pay for my own things.

“I insist. And you’ll need to tell me what to wear for your brother’s wedding.”

Beau’s shindig is being thrown together by me because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut and volunteered to help the newly engaged couple in their rush to wed. Which means, I’ll be put in charge because Beau is lazy like that.

“I’ll have to get back to you on that,” I admit.

“Formal wear department, then?” he arches one of those perfectly sculpted brows, and I nod, relieved to leave the lingerie section behind. I can always get Aunt Gertie something from the retail site that shall not be named.

Following Jude into the evening wear section, he enters like the boss he is. The women, one young and one older, simper a little at his appearance.

“Ladies,” he greets them, and I swear they sigh in unison. “This is Angelica. She’ll be needing a dress for a holiday affair. When she’s finished, send the bill to my office.”

This causes an arched brow from the younger woman, and a scowl from the older one.

Jude then turns toward me. “Angelica. The day has been a pleasure. I’ll be in touch.”

He bows—freaking bows—and steps back, retreating like he can’t get away from me fast enough.

What the hell was that?

A pleasure? Ha!

I don’t know how to describe this morning, other than a mental rush. With every gift option he suggested, I grew more excited for the holidays, envisioning the expressions on my nieces’ and nephews’ faces. The puzzles and games. The stuffies and crafts. The kids did not need the electronics on the list. They needed the unique and unusual. I wanted something special for each of them.