Page 49 of I Dated a Holiday Hero
Veradil was staring at her and said, “I can’t believe you said that.”
“What? I didn’t mention tentacles, going deep, or any of the other nautical puns that were in my head. You might want to answer that.”
Veradil’s com was alerting.
She blushed but answered, and Nautilus—who probably had a normal name—introduced himself, and Hever left the room after giving her mother a thumbs-up that made Veradil giggle.
Hever had her mother’s driver take her to Z-Corp, and from there, she gave herself a makeover. It took over an hour, but she was soon dressed in a pretty wrapped dress that flowed and fluttered as she moved. She wore boots with three-inch heels, and the dress had been fitted for her wings. She felt pretty, but she put the cloak he had made for her over her shoulders. She checked her mailbox, and to her astonishment, there was a gift box in it. Hever opened the box with shaking hands, and she gasped when she pulled out the small ornament of her with wings. The date recorded on the tag had read before the wings had even been possible. He had gotten Worro to find them, and for that alone, she owed him more than she could say.
She held the ornament up, and there she was, reaching for the stars, her wings curved wide. She smiled and put the ornament back in her locker. She would get it on her way home.
Her warning chime told her it was time to meet him, but he was meeting her down the road at the market, so she took an automated car to the market, having learned from Hera’s attack. Krix came to the car, and she exited, placing her hand in his.
He smiled. “You are wearing the cloak.”
“I like it.”
He smiled and offered his arm. “So, do we want to start with chocolate or the fancy marshmallows?”
She grinned. “Cocoa. I have plans for the marshmallows later.”
“Do you?”
“I absolutely do.” She chuckled.
“Have you been having fun this weekend?”
“Yeah, time with family is always worth doing. As are mani-pedis.”
He smiled as they walked to the lights and bustle of the holiday market.
“So, what does your family do for the holidays?”
“My mother decorates. My father reaches the high parts of the house for her.”
“Oh, right. Both parents.”
“They will enjoy meeting you.”
“Will they? I hadn’t actually thought that far.”
“We will have dinner by the end of the week.” He chuckled. “My mother is in a flap about picking the right day. She’s hooked on selecting the best day.”
“Wait. She knows about me?”
“Yes. You made the news when they took you. My carrying you back was noticed.”
“Ah. Right. Ambassador’s daughter.”
“Prefect’s niece was the tagline.”
“Ah. Right.” She curled her hand around his arm and pressed her breast against his elbow.
He smiled. “Are you doing that on purpose?”
“Tall shoes. Wings are all warm and snuggly.”
He grinned. “Suddenly, I feel taller.”
