Page 51 of The Naughty Elf

This seems more like a reward than a punishment.

Or maybe, my punishment is over, and this is a test.

“You’ve got it.” My heart hammers against my breastbone.

“You’d better make it something special.” Her pause twists something sharp inside me. “And you’d better make it soon.”

God, please. Don’t let me screw this up.

22

GINGER

When I told Ashley to make it soon, his proposal to take me out after lunch caught me off guard. I said yes. So long as nobody minded. Jackson easily agreed to let me have the rest of the day off since I didn’t have anything pressing to do, and my mom never misses an opportunity to spend time with Gracie, agreeing to pick her up from school and go to the spa with her.

So, I’m ready by twelve-thirty when Ashley parks in my driveway.

He told me to dress in casual clothes, so I’m in jeans and a nice top. Not work nice, but nice enough. He’s wearing what I’d call a country upgrade. Boots, jeans, and a patterned button-up. He doesn’t have the hat, though.

The way he grins at me has me smiling in return, having jumped out of the running truck to meet me at the door.

“Hey,” he says with that twinkle back in his eyes.

“Hey,” I say as I lock the door behind me and turn to face him. He’s close, smelling of amber and heat. “Where are we off to?”

He takes my hand to walk me around to the passenger door. “Somewhere I can be myself.”

I like the mystery of this. What version of himself does he mean? Where on earth could it be? I bite my tongue and give him my hand back as we drive into the city. I’m brimming with excitement when we pull into the science museum parking lot.

My mouth drops when I turn to him. I haven’t been here since I was a kid on a field trip. I laugh so hard that he must think I am deranged. Ashley is actually an engineer. Of course, he loves science.

I’m hopping out, ready to get in there and play with all of the exhibits. Even if I won’t understand half of them.

He comes around and traps me against the side of his warm truck. “You okay with this?”

I tug on his collar, drawing him close. “Take me inside and show me a good time. I’m going to need somehands-onexperience.”

Ashley’s eyes darken, and I’m sure he’s about to kiss me with the way he’s looking at my mouth, but he backs off and offers me his hand.

I take it. We don’t have a long wait to get inside. Since school’s just restarted after the break, the place isn’t packed.

Ashley fist bumps the guy who gives us our wristbands, and I grin at him.

“Someone you know?” I ask.

“Yeah. I tutored him when I was earning my master’s degree. He’s more chemistry-focused than I am.” His hand wraps around mine again, more confident than he has been with me before. Flirty, sure. But this is more genuine than a simple put-on.

I bump into him as we walk. “Where to first?”

“Well, I usually start with the gadgets and inventions area.” He points to our left. “Then I like to go around to the elevators,go upstairs, circle the physical stations, go around back to the elevators, and finish the first floor.”

“Usually? How often do you come here?” We walk toward a rope and pulley system, and it’s time to play.

“At least once a year since I was twelve.”

I purse my mouth as he turns me to sit behind the rope. “And how long ago was that?”

Ashley leans down, matching my mischievous attitude. “It was before you were born.”

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