Page 9 of Jingl
He sends me the cutest sleepy eyed pic of him rubbing his cheek. What the heck, Shae? But I play it cool.
Trace: Of course. Sleep tight.
Shae: Don’t let bed bugs bite.
Trace: Never again. :shivers:
Those nasty buggers were in my first apartment when I moved in, and I still have nightmares.
Shae: :kisses:
I swallow. This isn’t new. Not at all. We’ve texted this to each other a thousand times. So why does it feel different now?
Chapter 5
Shae
I pull up to the craft shop and wait for Juniper, the latest elf hire, to arrive. He had an awesome interview yesterday so now it’s time to costume him.
Juniper—his real name—isn’t what we’re used to. He’s big and tall and has a beard. He’s in his thirties and I think he’s terrified of being an elf. But I’m not one to have my fellow elves be terrified of the job. I think once he gets an eye for what I have in mind for his costume, he’ll calm down.
It’s early and while I know the shop is already open, I hate being that person that’s the first to stroll in.
Shae: I got a live one today. Doing costumes, then heading over to my first concert meeting. Then got classes. Wha’cha up to?
Tracy: Still catching up on some sleep. Packed a lot yesterday.
Trace sends me a pic of him laying in bed with the blanket up to his chin and his eyes closed. He looks so peaceful. I’m still trying to wrap my head around him calling me adorable so I keep my mouth shut about thinking how cute he looks all bundled up.
Juniper parks next to me and I smile when I climb out of my car. He seems so unsure of himself, but witnessing how he acted with his nibling after our interview, Iknowhe’s got an elf heart.
“So you don’t dress like an elf all the time.”
I look down at myself. My gray peacoat is open to reveal black skinny jeans and a yellow t-shirt with glittery pink stars. Before I left, Mom wrapped my bright orange scarf around my neck. It’s a bit of a mismatched look, but I love it.
“No, not always. Ready to get all dolled up?” I ask as we walk to the doors. They open automatically.
“As I’ll ever be.”
I turn to face him. “I know this might be scary, but I’m here for you every step of the way. And the other guys on our team are awesome too. The entire elf squad is amazing, and I know you’re going to be too.”
“I feel so out of place.”
“And I get that. But you’re going to fit right in. I have this gut feeling about it.” I turn on my heel and beeline to the fabric. “I have an idea for a perfect look for you, too.”
“No offense, but please don’t make me wear bells on my shoes.”
I laugh. “That’s my thing. I mean, if youwantto wear the bright colors and wear bells, I’ll let you. But I don’t think that’s you.”
“Not even close.”
Just to tease him, I lead him through the bright shimmery fabric and he moans. But I round the section and go to the muted earth tones that will suit him, and my idea, perfectly.
“What are the other guys like?” He asks as I hold up a bolt of deep hunter green. I think he’ll look lovely in jewel tones, but this is good too. He lifts his chin and I get a feel for how the fabric will drape.
“They’re fun. Alec, our photographer, started the same year as me. He’s like an older brother I only get to see once a year. Love him. You’ll know him because he’sgorgeous. Like a model.”
“Uhm, what?”
