Page 11 of Shut Up and Jingle Me
Daniel laughs so loud the waitress gives us a look. “You’re gonna kill him.”
“Or melt him,” I counter, stealing one of his fries. “Either way, we look great on camera.”
He shakes his head, still smiling. “You really think you’re gonna crack the Grinch?”
I pop the fry into my mouth, my gaze drifting out the window toward the rink. “Already got a foot in the door. Just need to keep pressing.”
Daniel tilts his head, studying me like he’s trying to figure out the play. “Press too hard and he’s gonna slam the door in your face.”
I smirk. “Or he’s gonna realize he enjoys it.”
“Uh-huh.” He drags out the sound, leaning back in the booth. “So what’s the endgame here, Eli? Just another notch on the belt? Or are you actually?—”
“Don’t say it,” I cut in, plucking my straw out of my drink and pointing it at him.
His grin widens. “—interested?”
Before I can answer, the bell over the door jingles, and Luke strolls in with complete confidence, his eyes dark with guy-liner and his cheeks dusted with glitter. He spots us instantly and beelines over, sliding in the booth beside me without waiting for an invitation. He’s not on the hockey team, he plays football, but he’s part of our friend group. Him and Daniel are two peas in a pod, except Luke pushes boundaries way more than either of us.
“Well, well,” Luke says, reaching across the table and stealing one of Daniel’s fries. “If it isn’t my two favorite troublemakers.”
Daniel arches a brow and smacks his hand. “We’re in the middle of something here.”
Luke just grins. “Yeah, and now I am, too. What’s the topic? One of your love lives? Eli’s obsession with the Grinch? Both?”
Daniel snorts. “You have no idea.”
Luke points the fry at him. “I’ve known Eli long enough to make an educated guess.” He glances at me. “And judging by the smug look you’ve got right now, I’m probably right.”
I bite back a smile and take a long sip of my soda. “Maybe. You’ll have to earn the details.”
Luke leans back, one arm sprawled across the back of the booth. “What do I have to do? Buy the next round of fries? Take your next shift at the rink? Pretend to be your boyfriend in front of your mom again?”
“That was one time,” I remind him, though the corner of my mouth twitches.
“And I played itperfectly,” Luke says, completely serious. “She loved me, but I’m not sure you’ll be able to introduce anyone else to her. We might have to get married.”
“She hasn’t asked about you since,” I lie.
She has, but only because she wants me to be happy, and she thinks happiness is found in a relationship. That might have something to do with her being married to her high school sweetheart and still being obnoxiously in love with each other. It’s gross. And really nice all at once.
“Okay, liar.” Luke snorts, and pins Daniel with a look. “Tell me the details that has him grinning.”
Daniel smirks, flicking his gaze between us. “You want the details? Fine. Picture Eli, all wrapped up in Christmas lights, standing nose-to-nose with Max Calder?—”
“I wasn’t wrapped up,” I cut in. “Not at first.”
“Fine,” Daniel says, grinning. “You were holding the lights. But the way you were looking at him? I’m shocked the ice didn’t melt right through the boards.”
Luke’s grin widens. “Oh, this I like. Tell me Calder at least blushed.”
I shrug as though it’s no big deal, but my lips curl. “Maybe a little.”
Luke leans forward, eyes bright. “Oh yeah. You’resoin.” He tips his head toward the window, where the rink sign peeks over the row of parked cars in the lot. “So…what’s the next step in Operation Crack the Grinch?”
Daniel groans. “Oh, God. Don’t encourage him with a cute little operation name.”
“I’m not encouraging,” Luke says, swiping the last fry before Daniel can. “I’m participating. Big difference.”
