Page 7 of Wrapped with a Beau

“I’m probably going to be busy,” says Elisha.

“I didn’t even tell you when it was yet.”

“And yet I’ll still be busy.”

He raises an eyebrow. “With?”

“Work. I’m putting this town on the map again. It’s why I came home.” She tips back her chin in challenge, meeting his gaze. “Sleighbells under Starlight.”

Down the bar, Adam’s friends all whoop in solidarity, raising their glasses to her.

“What?” Bentley scoffs. “Ellie, that movie was old even when you made me watch it in college. Hell, it was old decades before we were even born. You’re not seriously still flogging that dead horse?”

Eye twitch. Goddamn it. “It’s a classic. Right up there along with It’s a Wonderful Life.”

His tone could almost pass for fond when he replies, “Ellie... you’re still such a dreamer.”

“Maybe I am, but I also follow through when I say I’m going to do something,” she says coolly.

His jaw tics.

Solana smirks. “People who underestimate Elisha do so at their own peril.”

By now, a small crowd has gathered around them, clearly intrigued by the direction of the conversation. Friends and neighbors are nodding, name-dropping some of the other productions she’s matchmade: the zombie apocalypse web series, the vegan chocolate bar commercial, those shoestring-budget slashers...

Their well-meant support warms her, but Elisha’s smile is brittle. “The Sleighbells sequel is just the start. Big things are happening for Piney Peaks.” From the corner of her eye, she catches her best friend shooting her a what-are-you-doing look. “We’re just tying up a few loose ends, but it’s pretty much all in hand to start filming at the Christmas House.”

Bentley frowns. “That old place? Really? We stopped by to take a peek over the summer with Victoria’s folks, and it was pretty run-down. Lost its magic, right?”

Okay, fine, maybe the house hasn’t been repainted in the last couple of decades and the steps creak and Maeve didn’t have the money to fix the blocked chimney and some of the fancy decorative shingles are damaged or missing, but still. The house is perfect.

“But we’re rooting for you, Elisha,” says Tori brightly. A long pause. “Aren’t we, Bentley?”

“Absolutely. Well, we better nab a table. Christmas may be the hap-happiest season, but it’s also the bus-busiest one.” He laughs at his own joke as they turn away. “Don’t forget, we definitely want to see you both at our party! And bring your boyfriends! Oops, sorry. ‘Dates.’ ”

Surprised that he corrected to use inclusive language, something she had tried to drum into him while they were dating, Elisha forgets to be mad at him for a second.

“Hey, I forgot to ask—you seeing anyone, Ellie?”

Ha. Nope. Still mad.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll see us around,” she says without thinking.

“Victoria and I can’t wait to meet them.” Bentley winks. “Don’t forget that I have ex-boyfriend vote of approval.”

He sweeps Tori away before Elisha can point out that no the fuck he does not, and it’s ex-fiancé, if they’re being technical about it.

Chapter Four

Elisha

So,” says Solana delicately.

Elisha groans. “Don’t say it. Or, if you’re going to say it anyway, Grinch me first.”

“Hey, Adam, can we get two more Grinches, please? And make them spicy!”

“You got it, beautiful!” he calls back, wisely having stayed away during the conversation with Bentley.

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