Page 20 of Naughty Elf: Alfie
Thankfully,the restaurant is quiet and we can have conversations. It’s just the four of us and I’m hinging on Yolanda and Sheila’s every word.
“I’m a crow, Yolanda’s a raven. It was a real star-crossed lovers kind of situation before we got our families on board and accepted we are fated.” Shelia gazes lovingly into Yolanda’s eyes.
Alfie squeezes my hand under the table. It took us three weeks to find the time for us all to get together. Sheila’s a pediatrician and Yolanda still works at the same bank she started at after high school. She doesn’t really need a job other than she wants one, since Sheila makes so much money. Of the pair, Sheila is an alpha where Yolanda is an omega.
I’m nursing a cup of ice water and pushing my food around.
“Pisces, dear, are you okay?” Yolanda asks.
“Fine. Just not super hungry, I guess.” I‘ve taken a few nibbles, but nothing other than the conversation is satisfying me right now.
The three give each other looks. Alfie presses the back of his hand to my forehead.
“Warm.” He shakes his head. “But nothot.”
I whack his hand away. “It’s too early for that.” Besides, I don’t exactly want to talk about my heat in front of our friends. “I’m like clockwork. It’ll be mid to late March like it has since my first heat at twenty.”
Yolanda shrugs. “Or it could come early since you’re with your fated now.”
I hadn’t thought of that and press my hand to my forehead again. Shit. I’m never hungry right before my heat hits me.
“I have a few days then. I rarely have an appetite for a few days beforehand.”
Yolanda gives Alfie a smirk. “Will you be taking care of him this time?”
“Yes,” I say. “He’s agreed. Unless?—”
“I’m still honored you asked me to help.” Alfie kisses the back of my knuckles, and it takes everything in me not to swoon. He leans into me. “We should ask Yolanda that thing… You know. The thing.”
I swallow. We’d discussed at length how well the shop’s been doing and I can afford to take on an employee, at least part time if I wanted. If my heat is coming early, it’d be lovely to have someone to mind the shop while I’m out those three days instead of closing.
Yolanda watches us. “Ask me what?”
“Would you want to learn the ropes? Maybe help during?—”
“Gods yes! I hate my job. I’ll put in my notice tomorrow. I don’t even care what you’re offering I want in.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes, really. IlovePieces of Pisces and if I can be a part of it now, it’s a dream come true.”
Sheila laughs. “It’s all she talks about some weeks. Oh, I hope some day they hire. She even has ideas about workshops and offerings.”
It’s my turn to be surprised. “Really?”
“Yes, a thousand times, yes.” She reaches out to grab my hand. “In all honesty, you’ve created my dream. I was too scared to try, even though my Sheila encouraged me. But you, dear Pisces, you did the thing. I’m proud of you.” She squeezes. “And I’m so excited to be working with you. I can start this weekend. Or tomorrow. Or the possibilities are endless.”
“As long as you don’t have problems with our little messages on the fridge, I think we’ll be good,” Alfie says. “Sometimes I get carried away.”
“And that’s why I love you,” I say dropping my head to his shoulder. I address Yolanda to add, “you can start whenever, but I think it’d be great if we could get you trained so I can hand my baby to you while I’m in heat.”
“I’m a quick study. Plus, I know all the prices and the product. All I need is to learn the register.”
“Which is why you’re the best fit.”
We wrap up dinner and hug on the sidewalk before heading home. It’s getting late and while my heat is only days away, I feel refreshed instead of anxious.
Alfie takes my hand. It’s a nice night, and we walked since the restaurant was only a few blocks.
