Page 30 of Elf-ish

Eventually, I offer her some truth. “I don’t think you’d ever be in the way, Angelica.” And while I mean that she’d be a welcome distraction, her face falls, somehow misinterpreting my comment.

“Oh. Okay, well, I’ll let you—”

“Come with me,” I counter as she rolls against the corner and presses off the wall.

We could come together, baby.

Fuckity-fuck. I shake my head, ignoring the sudden narration in there.

Straightening, I admit, “I’d enjoy the company. Your company. Let’s take a walk together.”

While her eyes still look askance, her lips slowly curl into a soft smile.

Inhale. One, two, three, and four at the corner of that mouth.

Exhale.

“Okay, I’d like that,” she says. “Just let me get dressed.”

And there goes all my good intentions, because I’m thinking about her naked again.

Quickly, I shut down the narrator in my brain that wants to beg her to stay undressed, and I change my clothes instead.

chapter 11

[Angelica]

I was so busted, and embarrassed. There was no way Jude didn’t hear my audiobook, or me, unless he really was oblivious to others around him.

Like he said last night, being the science girl in high school explained why he never noticed me. I didn’t stand out in a crowd, even if I did have wild red hair.

As for that hair, I had to dry it as best I could before we went outside, but it was still damp underneath the knit cap I wore. Bundled up in a layer of long underwear beneath my jeans and sweater, plus my long puffy jacket, a thick scarf, and mittens, I was as covered as I was going to be. Despite the initial nip of sharp, cold air, the layers do the trick as we wander out of the resort into brilliant winter sunshine.

“The concierge said there is a small pop-up shop nearby. Let’s get some fresh air and then we can wander over there.”

“You can leave the shop, but can’t take the shop out of the man,” I tease.

He chuckles, the sound more like he’s strangling. “Yeah, something like that.” His eyes slit in the blinding sun, and he sets Aviator sunglasses on his face, making him look like a runway model as he leads us toward a paved trail that’s been shoveled and salted for guests to travel.

We walk in silence a few feet before I slip my arm into his. Jude stumbles and stares down at my hand tucked into the crook of his elbow.

“Mr. Marksman.” I nod in the direction of one of his board directors approaching us with his wife.

Jude’s head whips upward before he blows out a breath. “I’m really not in the mood for more small talk.”

I don’t answer as I try to think of an excuse for us not to stop and chat. Thankfully, Mr. Marksman and his wife only pass by us with a pleasant greeting, apparently having no interest in talking to us either.

After a few more steps, I peek over our shoulders. “Okay, they’re out of range,” I say, while tugging my hand from Jude’s elbow, but he tightens his hold, trapping my hand against his side.

“Maybe . . . maybe you should keep holding onto me just in case.”

When I glance at him, he doesn’t meet my eyes, keeping his eyes hidden behind those dark lenses while he faces forward.

Deciding he might be right, I settle in, looping my arm with his.

“Last night you mentioned you had a sister, Julia.” I don’t remember her from high school. “Do I need to sign an NDA to learn if you have more siblings?”

Jude lets out a huff. “My sibling situation is complicated.” He doesn’t expound, firmly closing out the topic. More quiet seconds pass before he says, “What about you? Do you have siblings?”