Page 49 of The Grumpiest Elf

“Maybe she did,” I suggest. “Just not the kind of play you’d be likely to see.”

Sarah’s nose wrinkles involuntarily, then she gives me an appraising look and bursts out laughing. “Oh, I like you already.” She hands me a plate. “You might be right, much as I don’t want to think about my older brother like that.” She makes a gagging noise. “But she also succeeded in keeping Ty away from home as much as possible, and while the Ty you’re meeting is light and playful again, he was never that way when she was around. I think she drowned him in guilt, and he didn’t see a way out for a long time.” She brightens. “Now he’s living with my best friend, and they’re deliriously happy.”

My eyebrows jump. “That doesn’t bother you?”

She shrugs, loading pasta salad and carrot sticks on her plate. “Not really. They make each other happy, and that’s what I want for both of them. Now, when they decided to break up and act like idiots, that was not a fun time for any of us, but that’s a story for another time.” She spears me with a look as I reach for the spoon for the hot, cheesy dip to go with the toasted baguette slices. “Now.” A slow smile curves her lips. “Tell me about you and Dylan. How long has this been going on?”

I can’t help smiling in return, which makes her emit a tiny squeal. “Not long,” I tell her. “We had our first official date last night.”

Her eyebrows jump. “Does that mean you’ve hadunofficial dates?”

At my shrug, she cackles.

When Dylan and Ty come out of the kitchen, Ty carrying the punch bowl that he sets on a smaller square table covered with a red tablecloth set up at the end of this table. Another table in the dining room is covered with Christmas cookies, brownies, and cake balls. My mouth waters just looking at them.

Dylan makes a beeline for me, but Sarah shakes her head at him. “Nope. It’s my turn. Your turn is later.”

Ignoring her, Dylan steps up to me and steals a grape from the edge of my plate.

“Hey!” I protest.

His brows raise. “Not a food sharer, huh?” Then he steps between Sarah and me and reaches for more grapes, placing another bunch on my plate to replace the one he stole. “Better?”

“Yes.” I smile up at him and lift my chin for a kiss.

He brushes his lips across mine, but keeps it chaste, especially since his older sister is standing behind him loudly clearing her throat.

She taps him on the shoulder. “Excuse me. You’re cutting. And interrupting.”

“She’s bossy,” he whispers loud enough that anyone standing nearby can hear him, including Sarah.

“Hey!” she protests.

“Right, like you don’t know it’s the truth,” he tosses over his shoulder, before returning his attention to me and pretending she doesn’t exist. “Blink once if you want me to rescue you and twice if you’re okay letting my sister boss you around.”

Meeting his eyes, I deliberately blink twice.

“Are you sure?” he clarifies. “Because I know her weakness.”

“What weakness?” she demands.

Giggling, I nod. “I’m sure. I don’t need rescuing. I’ll find you soon, okay?”

“Promise?” he asks.

“Promise.”

He dips his head and kisses me again. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

Dylan

I’mreluctant to leave Lydia to Sarah’s tender care, but after her repeated assurances she’ll be okay, I don’t see much other choice.

With one last glare at my sister, I slip out from between them and head to the back of the line. Just because I’m letting them gossip about me doesn’t mean I have to go far.

Lydia keeps glancing my way, a tiny smile claiming her mouth that makes me want to drag her to my room, but I’m trying to be good.

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