Page 70 of Nerdy or Nice
"Oh, please," she laughed. "I’m the wrong kind of elf, as I've heard a million times."
"You look like the right kind tome." I lowered my voice. "I'm liking that costume."
"Yeah, well, that would make you theonlyone."
I grinned. "Good."
She paused in the wrapping to look up. "Why is that good?"
"Because," I said, looking straight into her eyes. "I don't intend to share."
Chapter 41
Gwen
As I drove home from work, I felt like I was floating on a cloud of snowflakes and happiness.
Drake had lingered at the wrapping station until a small crowd of late-night shoppers had appeared behind him to have their purchases wrapped for Christmas.
This included the guy with the foot massager, who'd looked so giddy that I'd felt giddy myself.
Correction –moregiddy.
Thanks to Drake's explanation, I'dalreadybeen drunk with joy and relief. As for Drake, he'd thoughtfully stepped aside for the crowd while asking for my car keys so he could load up the wrapped packages.
When I'd protested that he should keep the presents for himself, he'd only laughed and said, "Hey, consider them early gifts."
With Mister Greenly hovering too close for comfort, I hadn't made a fuss. Instead, I'd handed over my keys and watched with unbridled amusement as Drake had turned and wheeled the cart away whistling a happy tune.
I meant that literally.
Unless I was mistaken, the tune wasWe Wish You a Merry Christmaswith a dash ofJingle Bellsthrown in for good measure.
Drake had returned ten minutes later with my keys and a suggestion that I call him after work so we could finish our conversation.
Now, I couldn't help but smile as I glanced toward the passenger's seat where a precarious tower of wrapped packages wobbled when I turned the corner.
With my trunk full of my empty suitcases, Drake had loaded the bundles and boxesinto my car's interior, placing most of them within easy reach.
As I pulled up to the neighborhood's security gate, a sudden thought made my pulse quicken with new possibilities.Drake lived in this same neighborhood.
Within walking distance.
My mind leapt into overdrive as I considered the logistics. It was nearly one o'clock in the morning. But this was a plus, not a minus. If my cousins were already asleep, maybe Drake and I could have more than a chat on the phone. Maybe I could lure him over to talk in person. If I wasespeciallylucky, talking wouldn't be the only thing we did.
A few minutes later, when I walked into my aunt's house, the place was so dark and silent, I took it as a sign. In my mind, the sign sparkled with Christmas promise when I flicked on the lights and saw a note from Harper saying that she would be gone until tomorrow morning.
Nowthatwas lucky.
As for cousin number-two, Lexie was obviously asleep on the second floor. My own bedroom was located on the first floorandon the opposite side of the house. As long as Lexie stayed upstairs, I could do whatever I wanted in my own bedroom, and nobody would be none the wiser.
But before doing anything, I decided, I should lug in the packages and take a quick shower. Working like a madwoman, I dashed back to the attached garage and yanked open my car door. I gathered up an armful of gifts and delivered them straight to my bedroom where they would arouse the interest of nobody except for the kittens, who reallydidhave a thing for boxes.
Already, three of the little furballs had scampered into my bedroom to see what was going on – as if thisweren'tway past their bedtime. When they started climbing over the packages, I didn't try to stop them. After all, I'd only wrapped those boxes in the first place to avoid trouble at work.
It took me three trips to the car and a hot shower before I felt ready to call Drake. But when I did, he answered right away sounding happy to get the call. "Hey, you."
"Hey yourself." With a smile, I glanced toward my bed. "What are you doing?"
