Page 17 of Merry Little Mishap

“Are they fast? Could we fall?” I turned toward him, worried.

Maybe death by elevator wouldn’t be so bad, a swifter and more merciful sentence than being stuck with Nick after telling him how I felt. My antlers jingled back and forth as I switched between facing Nick and the buttons.

“Yes, they’re fast. And no one is falling.”

“It’s New York, it’s happened before.”

“I won’t let it happen to you,” Nick’s hand reached toward my waist, pressing the emergency call button. “If we fall, I’ll lift you up.”

“Lift me?” I squeaked.

“Yes… I’ll make sure you’re secure before we hit the bottom. I’ll hold you in my arms and lie on my back.”

“Does that work?” I froze, quickly swiping my headband off.

“Of course. It’s elevator safety 101. But we’re not falling,” Nick laughed.

I stared up at him, horrified at how stupid I looked again. He seemed focused on the buttons as I stood frigid, concerned that I had somehow creeped him out with my comment.

Was it too much?

Would he still come fix my sink eventually?

I hated to think that my quick admission would soon become an awkward tombstone to our relationship. Before I blurted out to Nick, I imagined leaving this elevator, and allowing my confidence to do the convincing on how sexy I could be.

This whole scenario was quite literally the opposite of what Camilla suggested!

Ugh, I’m such a mess.

Nick, though?

He seemed unfazed.

In fact, he fought a smile as he locked his eyes onto mine, almost laughing at how shocked I must have appeared.

“Is this funny to you, Nicholas Stafford!” I shouted.

Nicholas?

Did I just use his full name?

He inched closer, nearly sandwiching me against the wall and intercom.

“It’s a little funny,” he whispered sweetly, sending me into an almost hypnotic calmness.

“MAP communications, this is Linda, how may I help you?”An older woman’s voice came through the intercom as Nick cleared his throat.

“Hi, yes. We seem to be stuck in our elevator.”

“Residential or commercial?”she asked. I couldn’t help but pipe in.

“Residential! There’s an alarm going off, and I’m trying to exit the fifth floor.”

“Do you see the button with two arrows facing the opposite directions?”

“You mean the one I keep smashing.” Nick and I took turns pecking at it.

“Yes. Stop clicking it.”

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