Page 24 of Emma and the Elf Next Door

“And instead, he was setting up a romantic picnic under the moonlight.” Her expression is dreamy; the same as mine.

“With candles.”

“Seriously, marry him.”

I wave her off. “We’ve had like one conversation. Let’s just calm down.”

Her answering nod was slow and reluctant. “Fine. But if today goes well, I have full permission to jump on this ship. Oooh, what would be your ship name?”

We ponder the options: Emmoah, Noemma.Hmmm, neither is great.

“This is definitely us getting ahead of ourselves.”

Carly shakes her head. “Emma, he’s hot, he’s got an accent and he bakes. He’s a freaking unicorn.”

I picture the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles and how his hair, out of its ponytail, ruffled slightly in the evening wind. The man belongs on the cover of a romance novel. Or a rom com movie.

“I know. I know,” I groan, banging my head on the wall behind me to knock some sense into my love/lust-addled brain. “But I’m just getting over Oliver, and we live next door to each other, so that’s a recipe for disaster. And we’ve only ever had one conversation after days of messing with each other. It’s way too early to be thinking this is anything.”

“It’s enemies to lovers, is what it is.” Carly, it seems, is refusing to listen to me or reason today.

“Carly, you need to calm down. So far, it’s enemies to friends…”

“…to lovers,” she finishes with a cheeky smile.

“You’re incorrigible,” I laugh.

“And you love me.”

I look at her shining, smiling face on my screen and my heart squeezes. “I do love you. And now I have to go get ready. My unicorn will be here in four hours, and there is so much to do.”

She gestures for me to go with her hands. “I expect updates. Hourly.”

“Fine. Love you. Merry Christmas.”

We blow each other kisses and I swipe to hang up the phone. Once her pretty face disappears off my screen, I look around me.

First things first; what am I going to wear?

*****

Turkey in the oven? Check.

Wine chilling in the fridge? Check.

Salad waiting to be tossed? Check.

Nerves on the wrong side of frazzled? Also check.

Noah is due here in a few minutes and I’m not ready. I’m mean, sure, lunch is ready, the house is spotless, my hair is pin straight and shiny, my make-up is flawless, and my summer dress is super cute. But still…I’m not ready.

I’m breathless with anticipation at seeing him again. I’m anxious to get to know him better. I’m dying to kiss his face off.

So yeah, I’m not ready.

“Emma?”

There’s that accent with a knock on my door and my heart flips in my chest.This is it!

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