Page 43 of Written in the Stars
Scorpio—Photo Session with Santa
Sagittarius—Santa Pub Crawl
Capricorn—Christmas Tree Decorating
Aquarius—Shopping at the Holiday Market
Pisces—Ice Skating
Elle’s foot was asleep, her toes tingling, full of pins and needles as soon as she put her weight on it. Whoever was at the door knocked again. “Just a sec!”
It was closer to a minute by the time she hobbled across the room and opened the door. Darcy stood in front of her apartment cradling a box of wine wrapped in a hot pink bow. Elle blinked. She was seeing things. She had to be.
Only, Darcy cleared her throat, hefting the box of wine upward.Nota figment of her imagination. “Hello.”
“Hello,” she echoed. “Sorry, um, come in.”
Elle stepped back, letting Darcy pass. She stopped just shy of the kitchen entrance, barely far enough inside for Elle to shut the door.
“Here.” Darcy thrust the box of wine into Elle’s arms. “I brought this for you.”
Elle hugged the box, the satin bow cool against the inside of her wrist. “Thank you?”
“As a congratulations. For finalizing your deal.” Darcy tucked her hair behind her ear and shrugged. She was wearing another pencil skirt, this one navy, and it hugged her hips perfectly. Elle’s mouth went dry. “My brother told me.”
“So you bought me a box of wine?”
“Yes?”
Elle chuckled. “Color me surprised, is all. Didn’t it pain you to purchase boxed wine?”
Darcy crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, you like it, so.”
Elle bit down on her lip, something inside her chest squeezing hot and tight. “You didn’t have to do that, but thank you. Do you want to come in? Have a glass?”
Darcy’s pert nose wrinkled, a line forming along the bridge. “I’ve got to get back home. Study for my FSA exam. I just wanted to drop that off and...”
“And?”
See her?
Kiss her again?
Elle held her breath.
“And congratulate you.”
Of course.
Not that Elle wasn’t thrilled—not to mention relieved—the deal was official, but she’d hoped Darcy showing up meant maybe their kiss had changed things for her. That Darcy had felt the way the earth had shifted beneath their feet, too. That it was something more.
Maybe not.
And yet, Darcy lingered in the entryway.
“Right.” Darcy cleared her throat before pointing at the box of wine. “I didn’t know if you wanted to post that online or something. Because Brendon follows you.”
Elle’s stomach sank. Of course this was about selling it to Brendon. That was what their deal was all about. How silly of her to think otherwise. “Sure. Good idea.”
