Page 31 of Jingl
“Jingle, you’re perfect.”
And fuck, the smile he gives me could put the sun to shame.
“Thanks for coming to my rescue.” He grabs my shirt and pulls me in for another kiss. We both sigh when we break apart. I really don’t want to stop, but he needs to get started and I need to head back home for work, too.
Jingle grabs his keytar and wrestles it from the case.
“Whatever you need, Jingle Shae. I’m happy to help.”
He flashes me another smile as he turns the keytar on and plays a few notes. “Go time.” And he’s rushing out the door. I don’t think he even knows how to relax, but I’ll try to help him if he’ll let me.
When I follow, the sound of his keytar fills the mall as he walks to Santa’s Village. I stay behind, observing as everyone watches him make an entrance.
Alec laughs as he turns back to the kid in front of him. “Jingle always has to make a show of things.”
All the elves dance with Jingle’s music as he picks up the pace, giving them something fun to work with. By the time the song’s done, everyone, even the kids and parents in line, are laughing.
“Sorry I’m late, kids! Had to polish a few ornaments before I could leave home.”
“Did you hear what you just said?” Juniper asks with a groan.
Jingle goes bright red and his eyes go wide. “What ever do you mean, Juniper Evergreen?” He presses his hand to his chest in mock shock. “I had to polish the ornaments before putting them on the tree. They were so dusty from being in storage all year.”
Juniper’s lips twitch until he’s grinning. He shakes his head and throws his hands towards Jingle, who bows. Some of the parents catch the double entendre of the exchange and chuckle.
The snort comes without my permission. The pink-haired elf snickers, as does Santa, and that Billy guy. The other elves, I don’t know their names, but a few of them have teasing smiles on their lips. Oh, poor Jingle, he’s gonna get it at the end of the shift.
I give Jingle a small wave, which earns me a grin and a nod. He’s so zoned into the job it’s like literal magic wraps around him. His laugh is more musical. He really is a merry elf. No wonder the kids love him.
He moves on to another song and so many people join in singing, it seems as if the sound fills the entire mall, as I move away from the village.
Jingle gave me some pep in my step, and I know everything will be okay. Even if I dread focusing on work. But I choose to channel Jingle as I toy with the game I’m working on.
Chapter 15
Shae
“I win the bet!” Billy says as we all sweep up. “Pay up!”
Everyone grumbles as they fish money from their wallets.
“Wait. What was the bet?” I already have regrets asking.
“That you’d hook up with your boy Trace before the weekend.” Billy waggles his brows as he makes kissy faces. “I said within forty-eight hours, but I’m guessing by that kiss yesterday it was sooner than that.”
My jaw drops. Heat blooms across my skin. This is not at all what I want my fellow elves to be gossiping about.
Alec chuckles. “I lostbig time. Figured the two of you would dance around each other until Christmas. But you looked so cozy at Felix’s when I crashed your date.”
“Wasn’t a date,” I mumble.
“You sure about that?” Alec lifts a brow.
Noel shoots me a look, but thankfully keeps his trap shut about finding Trace and me in the locker room.
“Come on guys, maybe we should give Jingle a break?” Juniper, of all people, comes to my rescue. I side-eye Alec, who gives me the biggest grin.
I shouldn’t get so uptight about everyone’s ribbing, but I wanted time to just bask in being with Trace before the world knew. Not that we were doing a good job of hiding anything.
