Page 52 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

I roll my eyes as I lead her to the truck.

“Is this the getaway vehicle?” Kit says as she jumps up on the seat.

“Yeah, she climbed under the tarp covering the bed of the truck. Do you believe that? In her huge wedding dress. She just slithered right in there.”

Kit laughs. “Yeah, I believe anything. No one’s ever accused Elle of being hesitant. She dives right into whatever she’s doing.”

“She’s something else,” I say, laughing.

She sighs and shakes her head. “Oh my God. You’ve already been bitten, haven’t you?”

“Bitten?”

“By the Elle bug. Don’t blame yourself. Even the strongest person could only last a few hours around her without succumbing. It’s easy to fall in love with her. I did, the second she was born.”

“What are you talking about?” I say, looking away from her as I back the truck out. “I barely know her.”

“Denial is the first stage.” She takes a deep breath. “Look, Nash, you seem like a good dude. Really. But Elle isn’t as strong as she seems.”

“I’m not sure I think she seems that strong—”

“She acts like she is. You know, she’s like a little puppy that barks and acts all fierce because that’s how a dog is supposed to act, but really it just wants to be fed and cuddled. She’s sensitive and tender. And if she shows you that side, I know it’s tempting to want to take care of her, but that leads to other things. With everything that’s going on, maybe just back off a little bit.”

“Nothing’s happened and nothing’s going to. I know she’s in a weird place. I’m just trying to be her friend.”

“I know you’re telling yourself that. Be careful, not only for her but for yourself, too. She’s not in the right place to start something and I would hate for you to end up as rebound guy.”

I look over at her and nod as we pull into my driveway.

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