Page 46 of Christmas off Script
‘Nice t-shirt,’ he said.
Letting her breath go with a whoosh, she finally brought her eyes up to meet his. ‘You, too.’
‘We’re twinsies. Shall we wear the hats with the elf ears to complete the look?’
Ella nodded, relieved Leo was acting as if nothing weird had just happened. ‘Definitely. Unfortunately, I’ll be wearing at least two layers on top of this t-shirt, so no-one will see it.’
His brow furrowed. ‘I think next year we’ll have to get Christmas coats.’
‘Or jumpers three sizes too big, so we can wear at least two of them.’
He raised his hand. ‘Plan.’
She high-fived him. ‘Are we still getting food there?’
‘Definitely. It’s going to be bratwurst, roast chestnuts, mince pies, and glühwein all the way.’
‘Shall I be the designated driver, then?’
Leo’s phone rang in his pocket. ‘I don’t mind driving if you want to drink.’ Pulling it out, he frowned at the screen, then his eyes widened. ‘Fuck!’
‘What is it? You need to get that?’
‘Er…’ He ran a hand through his hair as he stared at the phone.
The call cut out, and a few seconds later there was a buzz signalling the missed call.
‘Let me guess,’ Ella joked. ‘You’ve forgotten you had a hot date scheduled for tonight?’
Leo’s cheeks darkened.
Oh god.Creeping, mortifying feelings of inadequacy and shame crawled under her skin. She was a cuckoo in the nest of the Foxbrooke family. The unwanted gooseberry in the fruit salad of Leo’s life.
‘Leo, I—’
‘I’ll cancel.’
‘Yes, absolutely. We can go to the market another time.’
He glanced at her in shock. ‘No, I’m going to cancel my—the date.’
‘What? No, you can’t!’
‘Yes, I can.’
Ella twisted her fingers together until they hurt. ‘Leo, no. Please. I won’t be able to enjoy myself knowing you’ve let someone else down.’
‘But I don’t want to letyoudown. I want to be with you.’
‘You see me every day. The market’s here for at least the next two weeks. Is she—’ Ella took a deep breath. ‘Someone you’ve been dating for a while?’
He shook his head as he frowned at the phone. ‘I haven’t met her yet.’
‘Well then, you have to go!’ She forced a smile. ‘She might be “the one”. Your fairytale happy ending. Your Princess Charming!’
‘Ella—’
‘Please don’t cancel her, Leo. It’s not fair.’ Ella backed away down the corridor. ‘I’m going to find Willow. I need to chat to her anyway about the costumes. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay? Have fun!’
