Page 32 of Jingl
My shoulders drop and I let out a breath. Might as well tell them they were right. “It was pretty magical, actually.”
“Get it, Jingle!” Nate hollers.
“Our first kiss was like something out of a fairy tale, but Disney, not Grimm.” I turn to Billy. “It was snowing. And snowflakes kept melting in Trace’s lashes and—”
“Who polished whose ornaments?” Holli asks.
I shrug. “We polished each other’s ornaments.”
Someone catcalls.
“It’s not like I’m the only one getting lucky this season.” I give a look to Billy, who just winks at Noel. Neither of them are subtle about their attraction. I’ll admit, Noel is a good looking older guy with his thick auburn hair. He has to color it every shift, and Billy always helps.
“Mine’s just a hookup.” Nate shrugs. “But it’s unfortunate I didn’t realize who he was at the time,” he mumbles.
My next look goes to Holli, who somehow snagged town royalty Jack Winters himself. “Someone has a sugar daddy.”
Holli’s face turns pink. “We’re just helping each other out. And Flora is a doll.”
“That she is.” The two-year-old can be a handful, though, and I’m grateful I didn’t catch a cold when she sneezed right in my face the other week. “Okay, let’s finish up here. A few of us have finals to study for.”
“And some of us have ornaments to polish,” Juniper joins in the fun and I can’t help the laugh. At least he’s embracing the elf squad.
***
I wave at the guys as we leave. My car is parked way in the back and I’m lucky I even got a spot to begin with. The cold rips through my tights and I tighten my grip on the keytar case. My car doesn’t respond when I hit the unlock button on the key fob. Frowning, I hit it a few more times before resorting to using the key itself.
My keytar goes in back, then I settle into the driver’s seat. Nothing happens when I turn the key.
“No. No, no no no.” I try a few more times, knowing it’s futile. My battery has been slowly dying and it must have finally given up. I haven’t had time to get a replacement and now—
Crap. I look around for any of my fellow elves that might be able to give me a ride over to Trace’s and the lot’s empty.
I take a deep breath. This is only a momentary problem.
Shae: Can I get another rescue? Can you come get me? My car is sick. She needs a new battery. :pleading face:
A few seconds later, the little dots bounce.
Tracy: I got you. Be there soon. :kissy face:
I drop my head to the headrest and stare at the ceiling. My breaths come out in puffs. It’s probably not a good idea to wait for him here and I have a key to the mall.
Shae: Meet you at the main entrance?
Tracy: Got it.
I gather my things again, lock the door, and trek back to the mall. Thank goodness Frostdale is so low in crime, I don’t have to worry about my safety. Just worry about the cold. By the time I’m at the door again, my teeth chatter and my legs are like popsicles. I get the door open and rub my arms as I wait for Trace.
When he pulls up to the mall, relief floods my body. He’s smiling and I match him. His energy is just that infectious. I push through the door and run to his car. Everything goes in the back seat before I slide into the passenger seat, grateful for the heat blasting through the vents.
“I missed you so damn much.” Trace grabs me by the coat and pulls me over the console. There’s no one around and I melt into his kiss.
“You’re so cold, babe.” Trace takes my hands and rubs his warm ones over mine. “Let me help warm you up.”
“I’m fine. Thank you. I know you were probably working. I shouldn’t have called—”
“I’m glad you asked me.”
