Page 31 of Enticing the Elf
“Fuck, yeah.” I don’t question the decision, though. It’s one of the things I’ve noticed a lot, working with the Earth species for the past decade or so—they look for logic and reason to make their decisions, and often talk themselves out of their instinctive reactions. We elves are the opposite. Instinct is the first factor we consider, logic coming second and often not included at all, if our instinctive reaction is strong enough. In a case like this, where Ari is perfectly qualified and suitable to do the job, Eoin wouldn’t have bothered to rationalize his decision—there’s no need. “Can I be there when you tell him?”
Eoin’s lips quirk. “I thought you liked Ari.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Eoin
I leaveDáithí at reception with one last kiss and head for my office, grateful for the quiet before most people arrive. He wanted to come in earlier than usual so he could clear some things that didn’t get attended to yesterday, and I decided to come with him and get a head start on the Summit of Love Challenge.
Dáithíhatesthat name. I thought it was ridiculous, in a catchy kind of way, but he got all fired up this morning when I mentioned it, which led to me apologizing profusely with a blowjob. I’ve made a mental note to tease him with it as often as possible, just so I need to apologize some more.
The office is empty still, so I aim a spell at the light switch on my way through the darkness to my desk. I had coffee with Dáithí earlier, but I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea—later. If I go to the breakroom now, there’s a chance I’ll be waylaid or distracted. I want to spend some time on the challenge before I start on my work for the day.
Some of the tasks will have to wait for a more appropriate time—like taking Dáithí’s shift, which needs to be planned for an appropriate time, or cleaning his apartment. I check my calendar and make a note to see if he’s got anything plannedfor Saturday morning. Maybe I can convince him to go out for brunch or do some shopping—or both. I make a note to ask Jared and the king what they’re doing too. They could keep him company while I’m scrubbing his kitchen floor.
That raises another question—do I need to do the cleaning manually, or can I use my magic? Since the tasks aren’t designed to be tricks, I’m assuming the list would specify if I couldn’t, but I’ll check anyway.
I can’t plan for the two tasks that were redacted, so I focus instead on the date planning and the surprise, making lists of ideas.
My list of questions has gotten a lot longer when a notebook thumps onto my desk beside my hand, and I become aware that some of my team have arrived.
“What’s that for?” I ask, not bothering to glance up. I have a sentence to finish.
“Things I thought of since I saw you last night,” Ari replies, pulling his chair over from his desk and sitting down. That stupid pink wristband is still on his arm. “Caolan sent me the full list and the criteria for assessment, which I had to swear not to disclose. So I won’t.”
“I don’t want you to.” I reach for the notebook. “I’m going to do this fairly.” The first page is a list of questions that looks a lot like mine. He has a couple I hadn’t thought of, probably because he has more context than I do. “Thank you for this.” It almost makes me feel bad that I’m going to stick him with the background checks on the Warhammers.
He shrugs. “I’m on your support team, remember? I also started a list of ideas for your dates and things that might come up while you’re working reception, so you can be prepared.”
“I hadn’t gotten to that last one yet, but I’ve been working on the dates too.” I flip to what looks like the right page and skim through his list. “No to camping—Dáithí doesn’t like it.”
“What? But he used to talk about camping at Rothschen River. He used to go all the time.”
I nod. “Yes, but that was back home. He’d sacrifice hot water and a comfortable mattress because he loved it so much, but he’s not willing to do that here. He says it still reminds him too much of what he’s lost.”
Ari’s face falls. “Oh. Yeah, I…” He doesn’t bother to finish, but he doesn’t need to. We both understand Dáithí’s perspective.
“He recently started hiking again, though,” I volunteer. “Maybe he’ll eventually want to camp again too.” I know he will—it’s not in us elves to stay separate from nature for long, and Dáithí doesn’t get enough time away from the city to forgo camping forever.
“Time heals,” Ari says quietly with a sad smile. “We have enough of it now that we can let it take its course.”
I pat his arm wordlessly, and we both pull ourselves away from melancholy thoughts. He’s right—we have time now.
“What have you come up with so far for date ideas?” he asks. “How many are you planning?”
I push the list I’ve been making toward him. “Three to start with. I might add some more later, though.”
He reads my notes, a faint crease forming between his brows at one point, only to be replaced by a smile. “This one first,” he says, tapping the paper. “I wouldn’t have thought of it, but it’s very Dáithí. Can you pull it off?”
“Maybe. I need to make some calls and ask for favors, but if I activate the friend tree, it should be possible.”
“I’ll leave you to it, then. Anything I can do as a member of your support team?”
“No—actually, yes.” I grab his notebook, flip back to the first page, and add a few of my own questions to the bottom. “Could you check with the Bros and Dáithí and get the answers to someof these?” I check it against my list, making sure everything is covered, then hold it out to him.
“No problem.” He takes the notebook and stands, grabbing the back of his chair in preparation to go back to his desk.
