Page 48 of Dancing with My Elf
Yeah. I heard about the crazy night. I’m heading into the Network shortly.
I can tell you all about it. I’m right outside.
A minute later, I sat on the sofa in Nova’s living room, surrounded by bookshelves, including many children’s books. She worked in children’s publishing in New York and had continued to split her time between the publishing house and the Network. I hoped one day that she’d quit that gig and join us permanently. After all, many humans could fill in her position at the publishing house while a talented witch was far more difficult to find, but it wasn’t up to me to tell her how to live her life.
“Can I get you coffee or tea?” Nova asked.
“I’m good.” Although I’d love another cup of joe, I’d already had some earlier and didn’t need anything else to add to my jitteriness of the day—or giving me coffee breath. I’d brushed my teeth extra-long before I’d left my house.
What was wrong with me? It wasn’t as if I needed to worry about my breath around Lucas, right? What happened in the car was just a fluke thing.
Okay, two fluke things.
Nova sat down opposite me and sipped from her mug. “What happened?”
“Lucas and I met after his shift to keep watch for any trouble in the area near the club.” A flash of how poorly we handled our task while our eyes were closed and lips were locked appeared in my mind, but I kept that to myself. “We heard a woman scream.” I summarized the rest that happened with the demon and Lucas taking it on in dragon form.
“Wicked bats and flying monkeys,” Nova declared with awe. “What a night. I’ve never seen Lucas in that form. That must have been a sight to see.”
“It was indeed. He was quite impressive.” When wasn’t Lucas easy on the eyes? Even when he was covered in scales and had a forked tail, he was still a marvel of beauty. “I couldn’t have captured the demon without him,” I admitted.
“Well done to both of you,” Nova congratulated me with a proud smile.
“Did Pandora fill you in yet?” I asked.
“Briefly,” Nova replied. “I’m going in to the Network. I want to get a good look before I ask Gianna. No need to upset her by making her come in to face one if it’s not necessary. Although she put on a brave face in the club with wanting to take an active role, I know what happened still bothers her a great deal.”
I nodded. “You’re a good friend.” I scanned my own life for anyone who I had a close relationship like that with and came up short. Pandora and I talked often but mostly about work. The same with Nova and others at the Network. I didn’t have this same closeness that Nova and Gianna had, or the one Lucas shared with his roommates. Was working too hard and forsaking close relationships worth it?
She took another sip of her drink. “Were you nearby?”
I rolled one shoulder. “Sort of.” I hadn’t told her the reason I’d stopped by. After all, this conversation could have been done over the phone. “Pandora insisted I take a couple of days off to recuperate. Lucas insisted we go out to do something fun.”
Her eyes brightened. “That’s fantastic. You always work so hard. I doubt you’ve taken a day off since I’ve met you.” She motioned next door. “And there’s no one more suited to make sure you have a good time than Lucas.” She laughed. “I don’t meanthatkind of good time, but I’m sure he’s quite qualified there as well.”
Those were just two of the major differences between us. Lucas wasn’t just the opposite of all work, no play, like I was, he’d found a way to make work part of play. He’d had plenty of experience with the opposite sex, where I was so green that I couldn’t even read when someone was flirting with me. Although I didn’t always get him, I couldn’t deny that his fun-loving personality might be a tad addictive and that might explain my jittery excitement on what lay ahead.
“Is it a date?” Nova tipped her head with a speculative smile.
That was one of the questions I’d debated since last night. “I’m not sure. I don’t think so.” Bringing my fingers to my lips, I then admitted, “To tell you the truth, it’s been so long since I’ve been on a date, I probably wouldn’t even recognize the signs. Someone would have to spell it out for me, slowly.”
But we’d kissed. The sensual undertone, the heat between us—that counted for something, right?
Maybe not in Lucas’s eyes. That could just be another day with another woman for him.
“Where are you going today?” Nova asked.
“Lucas said to leave the planning to him.” I glanced at the time on my phone. “Oh, I better head on over to meet him.” After I stood, I glanced down at my outfit. “I hope what I’m wearing works.”
“If not, feel free to stop back over here and borrow something.”
Nova was only a tad taller than me. I’d have better luck raiding her closet over Gianna’s. “Thanks.”
I walked out of Nova’s side of the house and over to Lucas’s front door.
When he opened it, Lucas filled the doorway with his impressive frame.
He scanned me from the head down. “Hey there, Zoe. You’re looking good.”
