Page 26 of Hazel and Elijah Find Out: First They F*cked Around

I wanted to ask him to spend the night at my place, but decided I was probably being too thirsty.

“We have the shopping trip tomorrow,” Nora pointed out.

“We’ll be done by the evening, right?” Elijah asked.

“What shopping trip?” I asked.

She gestured to the sea of dancing bodies to her left. “I’m making the bachelors get clothes that fit their bodies. Most of these men dress like little boys playing dress up in their dad’s clothes.”

I considered Brooks and his loose-fitting jeans and T-shirt. “Good point. But Elijah dresses great.”

“I’m making him, Remi, and Sterling come to do most of the styling. I don’t have the energy to be patient with a medium-sized man insisting on wearing an extra-large.”

The mental image of Elijah trying on clothes and me getting to sit back and ogle him was enough for me to give up my plans for a productive Saturday. “Can I go, too?”

“Of course,” he said as Nora warned, “Only if you’re not a distraction.”

“Great, I’m coming tomorrow.”

“Maybe we can get dinner down there, or I could cook for you when we’re back in town.”

I nodded, my brain lagging due to his nearness, scent, and touch.

Holding my hand, he walked me and Nora out to her car. She told him the logistical details about the following day, but I wasn’t paying attention. All that really mattered was when he held my waist and promised to text me the following morning to make plans.

He combed his fingers through my hair, then cupped my jaw. Leaning forward, he kissed me. It was just a kiss goodbye, but it was slow and full of promise. And I could not wait for our upcoming date.

After closing my car door, Elijah waved. Turning with his hands stuffed into his pockets, he shrugged against the blustery autumn wind. I watched him in the side mirror until he disappeared into the bar.

Nora pulled onto the dark, quiet street. “You two are so cute, it almost makes me want someone to crush on.”

I gasped theatrically. “Not reel ’em in and throw ’em out Nora!”

“I saidalmost.”

“He said he likes me.”

The corners of her mouth twitched. “I’m really happy for you, babe.”

I wiggled in my seat, too elated to hold still. “Thanks.”

Chapter 9

Elijah

Ourshoppingassignmentwas:Halloween rules.

Costume a roofer, but make it sexy.

School teacher, but sexy.

Grocer, but sexy.

And Nora had been wise to enlist help dressing these men. Some of them acted like putting on a button-up shirt was terminal.

I tended to be accepting of other people’s limitations, but even I wanted to roll my eyes when Shane Briar complained, again, about having to try on a third pair of jeans. Or when Brooks grabbed an extra-large shirt when he was a lean large, at best.

“It fits tight in the shoulders,” he complained.

---