Page 14 of Elf Shot

Tor grunted. "Try telling him that. Just go easier on him if you can. I'll admit he went about everything the wrong way, but he wasn't trying to hurt you."

"If he wasn't, then why hasn't he said sorry for lying or crashing my date for that matter? Like saying two words isn't hard."

Tor let out a string of Norwegian curses. "He hasn't even said sorry?"

"Nope. Not in the emails or texts or anything."

"Maybe you need to go and tell him that's all it will take. He's a bit of an idiot when he's stressed out and loves to overcomplicate things. If that's all you want in order to put aside the sniping at each other, maybe you need to make the first move and tell him," Tor suggested. He clasped his hands together dramatically. "Please, Layla, for the love of all the gods, talk to him because I will end up knocking both of your heads together if you force me to put up with your bickering. Be the bigger person."

"But I'm always the bigger person," she complained.

"It's because your heart is the biggest."

Layla laughed despite herself. There was something about a Viking shapeshifter being a sweetheart that weakened her resolve.

"That was cheating, but I think I have some migraine tablets that might help him anyway," she grumbled.

"You are as noble and brave as you are beautiful," Tor replied, giving her a big smile.

Layla dug about until she found her emergency stash of pain killers and went to the bar to pour out a glass of Coke.

"Wish me luck?" she said.

Tor smiled at her. "You don't need it. Go on."

5

Layla found Arne lying on a bed in a small room at the back of the plane. She tapped lightly against the door, and his eyes opened. She gripped the glass in her hand harder. She could do this. Like ripping off a Band Aid.

"I'm tired of fighting with you. Say sorry, and I'll give you things to make the migraine go away," she said in a quick breath.

"What kind of things?" Arne asked, flinching as he sat up.

"Say sorry and find out," she replied.

Arne looked up at her, his eyes full of pain and sadness. "I am sorry I didn't tell you about Vili. It was never my intention to hurt you or anyone else."

"Accepted. Now apologize for interrupting my date," she said, doing her best to remain stern.

Arne frowned. "But…"

"No buts. Apologize."

"I'm sorry for interrupting your date," he grumbled. "I should have tracked you down before you got to the restaurant."

"Good enough. I guess. Truce?"

Arne nodded. "Truce. I don't like you being angry at me."

"Well, don't piss me off." Layla showed him the tablets. "Take these. They are the only things that make any difference when I have a migraine. Drink the Coke. The caffeine will make them work quicker."

Arne smiled and opened his mouth. Layla's pulse jumped as she placed the pills on his tongue and gave him the Coke. He drank it down.

"Thank you, Layla. How long will they take to kick in?" he asked, placing the glass down on a bedside table.

"Twenty minutes. Give me your hands. I'll show you another trick."

Arne held out his hands to her. They were warrior's hands, calloused palms and fingertips from swords and bow work. Layla pinched the skin between his index fingers and thumbs.

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