Page 15 of That's a Wrap

She’s sputtering, like she can’t believe what’s happening.

“Ella Kate,” I say, lowering my tone and reaching across the table to place my hand over hers. “I’ve already told you, but apparently it bears repeating. I’m trying to thank you for all you’ve been doing for me. You’ve taken time out of your busy schedule to help me, and I know I’ve gotten on your nerves during some of that time.”

“Most of the time,” she utters beneath her breath, and I let it slide with a chuckle since her shoulders have finally relaxed.

“Truly, I don’t see how you could possibly find me annoying with my charming personality and endless wit.”

That gets her to smile until she remembers herself.

“Still,” she continues after clearing her throat. “I don’t need all thisfancy-schmancystuff. You could’ve just half-assed it and ordered a pizza. I would’ve been fine with that.” She laughs.

“Come on, don’t you know by now?” I can’t help but give her a wicked smile and brush a light circle over her hand. “I don’t half-ass anything. I always go hard.”

My words, the ambiance of the restaurant, the way I’ve been chasing after her these past few weeks… Everything seems to finally sink in for her as understanding and disbelief cross her face. Then, she looks at me intensely, searching for any sort of dishonesty in my expression. And when she finds none, she ducks her head as her face reddens.

“Oh,” she says. “I see.”

“Took you long enough,” I reply, softening my smile.

She fidgets in her seat, but before she can say anything, Cassie arrives with the wine. After I approve, our waitress pours each of us a glass, then asks for our orders. When Ella Kate requests the second least expensive entrée, I let her since at least it’s not soup or a salad. Eventually, she’ll see that I want to spoil her and she’ll learn to let me.

After our server leaves, there’s a slight air of awkwardness between us, as if Ella Kate doesn’t know how to act around me anymore. I can’t have that, so I try to ease the tension with distraction.

“Did I ever tell you about the time I almost got arrested in Florida because my brother wouldn’t tell me the security code to his house? His neighbor thought I was breaking in and called the police on me.” I laugh, remembering Nate’s cheeky neighbor, Rose. She may be an old lady, but she sure can stir up trouble when she wants to.

“What?” Ella Kate exclaims, a broad smile growing on her face.

“Yup,” I say, popping the P at the end. “My brother had just moved down there and gotten engaged to this sweet girl who owned a Christmas-themed vacation rental.”

“Christmas-themed? In Florida?” she asks with disbelief.

“Christmas-themed,” I confirm. “Teddie even baked holiday cookies every day for her guests.”

“Huh. Well, that’s… different.”

“There’s a story behind it—I’ll tell you that one later. But it makes sense since she lives in Candy Cane Keys.”

“You’re making that up.” Ella Kate narrows her glare at me, turning her head and giving me a side eye.

I raise my palms in surrender. “Honest to God.”

She still looks at me as if I’m pulling her leg.

I continue anyway. “As I was saying, Rose is a spry old lady who was also Teddie’s grandmother’s best friend and current neighbor. I guess Nate and Teddie forgot to tell her I was coming, so she wasn’t expecting me.”

“But you said it was a vacation home. Didn’t they have guests there all the time?” Ella Kate leans forward, clearly interested in the story.

“That was before Nate moved in. That’s actually how they met. I sent him there for thirty days against his will.”

Her face contorts with confusion.

“I admit I like to meddle in my brother’s life, but if I didn’t, he’d be a hermit still living in New York and completely wifeless. He needs me. He’d be nothing without me.”

Now, Ella Kate quirks a manicured eyebrow.

I ignore it with a smile. “Anyway, the happy couple were out shopping when I arrived, and I was messing around with the keypad, trying to guess the code.”

“Why didn’t you just ask your brother?”

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