Page 3 of About Last Christmas
I laugh. “I hope we can meet again on less violent terms.” I was joining in on his joke, but then realize how forward I sound. Before I can sputter out something that would probably make me sound more awkward, movement outside snags my focus. “Oh no.”
“What?” He follows me out the exit, and I quietly shut the door.
“Look. There’s Josie. She found her dead elf.” I’m not in the mood for confrontation. A half hour ago? Yes. Why didn’t Josie stumble upon me when I was full of righteous fury?
Josie’s stomping her feet like she’s three. “Greta!”
A sigh pushes through my lips. “Might as well hash it out with her.”
He places a hand on my elbow. “Let me.”
“Uh, I’m not sure?—”
But he’s already striding toward a fuming Josie.
I slyly get closer, ducking behind one of the pine trees for some covert eavesdropping.
“Are you Josie from Tan-tasy Island?” His masculine voice silences Josie’s banshee yell—something about me and my imminent demise.
“Yes.” Her tone is suspiciously hesitant.
“I’m sorry about your display,” Leo says. “I noticed a light was broken and intended to repair it for you.”
What? I peek between the branches, and sure enough, he holds out a bulb. I remember he wandered into the storage closet in the pavilion, but had no idea he swiped a replacement light. How did he know where to find those? Also is the elf really broken? Did I do that in my accidental stabbing?
Josie seems just as baffled. “So, this”—she points at her elf—“has nothing to do with Greta?” Then, before he can answer, she says, “Oh, do you work for the city?”
“You can say that.”
I nearly slap a hand to my forehead. He works for the city. He no doubt approached me to begin with to question my actions. I feel super dumb. By this time, Josie realizes the caliber of man standing before her, and her lips shift from scowling to impressively pouty.
“I appreciate you coming to my rescue.” Her mouth slowly spreads into a coy smile while her gaze holds intense eye contact.It’s impressive, really. As much as I hate to admit it, I should be taking notes. Despite her teeth nearly glowing from her skin being so orange, she has a strong flirt game.
I watch like some weird creeper as Leo fixes a bulb on the elf’s foot. The exact spot I hit him with earlier.
“There.” He dusts his hands together. “Can I offer you a suggestion?”
She dips her chin and peers up at him. “You can offer me anything.”
I snort, then realize it was loud enough to nearly shake the pine boughs and duck.
Both heads whip in my direction, but somewhere in the distance, a man shouts a slew of obscene words, drawing their focus off me. It sounded suspiciously like Santa Ned, but I can’t be certain.
Leo claims Josie’s attention. “I see that your elf’s on a surfboard.”
“Uh huh. It gives a beachy feel that matches my tanning salon.”
“Right. So what if you place this guy”—he hoists up the elf—“over by the fountain? There’s an open spot right behind it. When the water shoots up, it will give the illusion that he’s riding a wave to those who pass the fountain. I think it will be a crowd favorite.”
I’m now so low to the ground I can smell the wet earth, but I can see Josie teetering. Like there’s a war between her grudgy soul and her sound logic. She loves to be the center of attention, and the elf’s placement there certainly makes sense.
He leans in and seals the deal. “It’ll match your beach vibe.”
Oh he’s good. He just threw back her words and made her sound brilliant.
Josie beams at him. Really her teeth are super white. It’s kinda freaky. “That’s a good idea. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it before.”
Gee, I wonder …
