Page 27 of 12 Days of Mistletoe

“Well, I think May would appreciate it.” But then what do I know? I don’t know May Elliot, I’ve just sent her holiday cards for the past three years. I didn’t have any other communication with her.

“Yeah, well, we’ll see.”

“I thought we were going to be friends?” I kill the engineof my car and peer at Elliot. He peers back and something strange flutters in my gut. Sure, he’s stupidly handsome. I’m not blind, but that doesn’t mean I’m attracted to him. Because I’m not. A couple of hours ago he was a dog hater—and I could never be attracted to a dog hater.

He shrugs. “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean Gran and Bill need to be.”

I flick my gaze to the roof of this car—mostly for effect. I’m not actually annoyed and rolling my eyes. And then, the man I am utterly NOT attracted to leans across the console, right into my bubble.

“You’ve got an eyelash,” he says, his eyes focused on my bottom row of lashes.

I hitch my breath, holding it. I block every ounce of pine and musk and Christmas tree sweetness from my lungs. Who needs to breathe anyway?

“Almost got it,” he says, just as his fingers tickle my skin with a light brush.

Noel whines and Elliot loses his focus.

Yep, she tends to do that when my heart rate picks up. I’d like to deny it or ignore it, but Noel’s whining never lies.

“Got it,” Elliot says, holding out his finger with the single lash atop. “Did you want to blow it away and make a wish?”

“Are we in a 1980s Friday night special? No, I don’t want to blow it away and make a wish.” I swallow and give him my best stank face. Friend or not, he’s awfully close and my stomach just flipped in a not-so-normal way.

Noel whines again. Elliot Eaton needs to back up. I have to breathe. I can’t hold my breath forever, and at this point, I am only smelling musk and pine. I fear it’s going to drown me.

“Why is she doing that?” he asks, glancing over to No-No.

“Because,” I say, shoving his shoulder, “you’re too close to me and she doesn’t like it!”

“Oh.” Elliot clears his throat and sits back. “Sorry.” He puffs, blowing the lash from his finger, and rubs his hands down the thigh of his pants. “Um, do you mind if I at least take this tie off? I really should have changed before we left.”

“You’re not bothering me. You take off whatever you want.” My eyes attempt to pop out of my head at my own words. “Or leave it all on. Don’t be weird. I don’t care,” I say, officially claiming the title of most awkward human ever.

I open the door to a brisk breeze. I need that breeze. It’s cold and harsh and slaps me back to reality. There’s a small path of open sidewalk with snow on either side leading up to May’s door.

We walk in a single file line. For some reason, I lead the way with Noel behind me and Elliot behind her. At least he’s downwind. At least there is a dog between us.

“Sorry, I should have shoveled a wider path,” he says.

I glance back at him. “You shovel for her?” Why am I surprised? Elliot Eaton isn’t a dog hater, but a saint.

“Well, yeah. I don’t want her doing it.”

“That’s nice.” I lick my lips and pull in a chilled breath. “You’re sure your gran won’t mind Noel being here? Her place looks… nice.” To say the least.

“I don’t think so. In fact, I think she’ll want to meet her.”

“Yeah?” I can’t help but grin. “Man, this day is not what I expected it to be. Noel will get to stay free and clear, and Abby’s going to get her dog.” What started out as me planning all the ways I could make Mr. E.J. Eaton’s life miserable has turned out to be a miraculous day. Because of Elliot.

“Abby?” he says.

“Oh.” I bite my lip. I spoke those thoughts out loud and now I have to explain myself. “Yeah. She’s a girl who qualified and applied for a service animal, but she’s far down on the list.”

“I’m confused. How do today’s events change her station on the list?” Elliot moves beside me as we reach the landing at the front door. His blue eyes glaze over me, studying me and making my heart patter with rapid whipping beats. That’s bizarre too. And I don’t care for it one bit.

“Well—” I clear my throat. “I’m going to buy the dog.” I press my full lips on top of one another and spill my guts. “With the rent money you gave me.”

“Wait.” His brows narrow. “You aren’t using it for rent?”

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