Page 17 of Daddy's Christmas Elf
“Oh.” Eli grinned. “Well, both it is then. Do you think they’ll let me wear all this now, or do we have to pay first?”
“Wear it now.” Grey didn’t want to see those long, slim legs disappear under tracksuit bottoms that had to be turned up several times at the ankle cuff.
Eli darted back into the changing room, and came out laden down with the rest of the new clothes, along with those Grey had lent him.
“Wait.” Grey stopped by a display on the way to the till, a fine, soft looking emerald green scarf catching his attention. It was perfect, and made for Eli. “You can’t not have this.”
“It’s lovely — and oh my god, so’s the price. It costs as much as the boots. And jeans. And maybe the jumpers, too. All combined.”
“It’s a Christmas present.”
“No.” Eli shook his head, stubbornness in every inch of his movement. “You’ve done — are doing — so much for me when you didn’t have to do a thing. Honestly, that’s the best Christmas present I could have.”
“Well, the best present I could have is for you to accept. Really. Please, I’d like you to have it.”
Eli ran his fingers across the scarf. “Itisgorgeous…”
Grey snatched the advantage. He’d sent out so many gifts this Christmas season, all on his corporate credit card, selected by and purchased on his behalf by his PA. The only thing he’d done was give the final approval, and then every single item had been forgotten. This was the only gift he’d chosen himself, and it was perfect.
With the scarf carefully folded and wrapped in tissue paper, and added to the rest of the purchases, they made their way out of the department store. Frantic crowds of harassed shoppers pushed and shoved and tinny, jangling Christmas music blasted out from loud speakers.
“Time to go?” Grey asked, relieved when Eli nodded.
They made their way across the car park, Eli picking his way carefully as Grey kept a close watch on him, ready to jump if Eli looked like he was going to slip, but they got back to the car with no mishaps. It wasn’t even three o’clock but already darkness was falling all around them.
Grey pulled his seatbelt on, and turned to Eli. “We can stop off and pick up some pizzas, if you like? My grocery delivery doesn’t come until tomorrow, so…”
“I love pizza. Well, I just love food.”
Grey tamped down on a grin. Eli had certainly demolished breakfast and then the huge slab of cake, but slim and lithe, there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him.
“That’s settled, then. There’s an excellent place just minutes from home.”
“Or…” Eli’s brow scrunched as he chewed on his lower lip. “We could get some good ready made bases and construct our own toppings. I’d make the bases, normally, but it’d take too long and I’m kind of guessing you don’t stock yeast and strong bread or 0 grade flour in your kitchen cupboards?”
“Hmm, they’re not generally on my grocery order. Sounds good, but do you want to go to all that trouble? I’m not great in the kitchen so I wouldn’t be much use. I appreciate the idea, but you’ve had a fall, don’t forget.” The last thing Eli needed was to stand around cooking, when he should be taking it easy, and tucked up with a heap of pillows on the sofa.
“Yes, I fell on my bum but I didn’t break any bones. I don’t need you to be of help, because I’ll do it. I want to. Honestly. Think of it as a way of me saying thank you — even if you will need to buy the ingredients.”
And there it was again, the soft flush of red on Eli’s cheeks, the colour of embarrassment. Grey wanted to wash all evidence of it away.
“Only if you’re sure, that you’re not too tired…”
Eli glared at him. Grey knew when he was defeated. He might not like it, but he knew.
“All right, and I have to admit it’ll be a welcome change to have somebody cook a meal for me. Bacon and eggs is about my limit, so I tend to order in when I’m not eating out.” It was Grey’s turn to feel the sting of embarrassment. He could do a little more than put a cooked breakfast together, but not a lot. Home cooked meals, like so many other things, belonged to the past. “We’ll stop off for the supplies you need on the way home.”
Eli answered with a wide grin which Grey couldn’t fail but return. Moments later they were gliding out of the car park and were on their way.
CHAPTERNINE
Eli turned on the oven, and cranked it up as hot as it would go, then spread the ingredients for the toppings over the kitchen island worktop. The bases were thin, the crust encircling the rims puffy and singed.
Grey had driven straight past the supermarket, and had instead called in at a tiny Italian deli, just a couple of streets away from the house. If Eli had died on the spot, he’d have gone to meet the big guy on a cloud a very happy man. Grey had laughed when Eli had taken a step across the threshold, stood still and just — sniffed. The rich savoury aroma had made his mouth water and, as much as the place had smelled fantastic, it’d looked even better.
Premium Italian products had been stacked high, and overflowed from shelves. Behind the counter, hams and cheeses jostled for space with olives, tomatoes, and artichokes steeped in aromatic olive oil. And sweet treats, so many sweet treats. Cannoli, tiramisu, cantuccini, and everywhere, boxed-up panettone, looking like the perfect Christmas gift.
Grey had given him free range to choose what he wanted. The shopkeeper had offered advice, but Eli had politely declined. He’d known exactly what he wanted, even if his eclectic choice of purchases had provoked a very slight raise of the shopkeeper’s brow.
