Page 10 of Jingl
“Like drop dead beautiful.”
Juniper swallows. “I think I saw him at the mall yesterday.”
“Hot, right?”
He gives me a noncommittal shrug, so I move on.
“Nate, code name Sugar Cookie—”
“Alec doesn’t have an elf name?”
“Nope.” I squint. “You really don’t need one if you don’t want. Juniper is very elfy and I love it. Have I even told you my real name?” How could I have forgotten? I hold out my hand. “Shae. But at the mall I only go by Jingle. Unless it’s Easter, then I’m Honey Bun.”
Juniper snorts and I think he’s finally relaxing.
“I was fifteen when I came up with the name and it stuck.”
“So Nate?”
“Right.” I hold up brown fabric and don’t care for it, so I put it back. “Nate’s been around for three years. He’s one of our youngest. Saving up to go to culinary school. He always brings the best treats.”
Juniper seems to hum in approval. Either because of treats or the nice tan color I’m holding against him, I’m not sure.
“You’re not the only newb just so you know. Hollis, who prefers Holli by the way, AKA Holli Jolly, is a big flirt. Okay, we all are, but I think he’ll give Alec a run for his money. Met Holli at college and convinced him to join. He’s going to school for early childhood development. I love his pink hair. If I thought I could get away with it, I’d have blue hair. But I have to always look professional for concerts.”
“Concerts?”
I nod and hold up a burgundy color. “I’m getting a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance with a minor in costume design. Almost done with it.”
“You really do make all the costumes, then?”
“Yep. For the elves. Santa’s on his own, but I do repairs when needed. One year, Santa split his pants, and I had to do an emergency fix.”
We both snort.
“So Billy… met him in college, too. His elf name is Snowdrop. He’s a drag queen. I’m excited to see his Christmas show. It’s gonna be so fun.”
I hold up a mustard yellow color and put it back immediately. Ew.
Juniper eyes all the bolts of fabric I have in my arms. I look down. Five isn’t even the most I’ve done before. “Don’t worry. I won’t steer you wrong or in some way you won’t like.”
He nods. “I’m trusting you.”
“Good. We’ll get these and I’ll show you my sketches.”
He groans. “You couldn’t have shown me the sketches first?”
“Nope.” I grin up at him before I lead him to the cutting area and pass the fabric to the worker. “Gotta build that trust.” Patting him on the arm, I pull my phone from my pocket. One last look, then I pass it over to him.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Juniper sucks in a breath. “These are great.”
“I know.”
He side-eyes me and smiles, then goes back to the sketches.
“This one is my favorite.” I slide to the simple trousers, with pockets, and a top with elaborate sleeve cuffs to give it a bit of flare, but not too much. “I think it’ll be really comfortable. And everything is machine washable on cold, so don’t worry about that.”
I love the designs I came up with for him, less whimsical, more Lord of the Rings, but still all my own.
