Page 70

I’ve even tried giving her a meeting time thirty minutes earlier than I actually plan to arrive.

It doesn’t work.

She still ends up being late.

I take another sip of my Americano, letting the warmth spread through me as I stare out the window of Bean & Bloom. Christmas music plays softly through the speakers, the scent of cinnamon and coffee hanging in the air. Outside, people walk past bundled in coats and scarves, their breath visible in the cold morning air.

For the first time in a while, I’m not thinking about Wyatt or football or my father.

Instead, the only thing on my mind is Joshua and the amazing time I had with him last night.

It’s still surreal to think I had sex with Joshua Levine. And not just any sex, either. It was probably the best sex of my life. Who knew the boy next door would be capable of the things he did? Who knew the boy next door would have such a dirty mouth?

But he’s not the boy next door. Not like I remember, anyway.

Last night, he proved time and time again that he is all man.

And I loved every toe-curling second of it.

It even made the adrenaline rush of sneaking back into my house before my parents woke up this morning worth it.

Out of the corner of my eye, a flash of bright red and green zooms by the window. It’s December, so it could be anyone.

But there’s only one person I know who would wear an elf costume from head to toe.

Although I have a feeling most elves wouldn’t be dressed like this. Mrs. Claus would certainly be keeping a very close eye on her husband with Hilde the Elf around.

The instant she barrels through the door, every head turns her way. But in true Hilde fashion, she ignores every single one of them and heads straight toward me.

Her red-and-green dress hugs every curve, a tiny elf hat perched on her head. And pulling it all together are red knee-high boots with a four-inch heel.

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a pair of elf boots around here?”

“Elf boots?” I echo slowly.

“Yes.” She drops into the chair across from me. “I was able to put together this little outfit no problem…” She gestures down her body, pulling her arms back to accentuate her chest.

A few older men glance at her. Hilde catches them gawking and gives them a wink before looking back at me.

“But the shoes were the issue. The concierge at my hotel in Tahoe found a pair of cute ones, but the heel was maybe an inch. So I improvised.” She lifts a leg and plants her boot on the empty chair beside her. “I cut off the soles and strapped the legs of the boots over these heels. See? Problem solved!”

“I suppose so. Although I didn’t even realize it was a problem. I didn’t get the memo we were dressing up.”

“You know me.” She shrugs. “I can’t resist an excuse to wear a costume.”

I can’t argue with that.

Hilde’s parties back in Houston are legendary. And each one has a different theme. Wyatt complained every time he had to put together a costume. Personally, I looked forward to her monthly soirees. Maybe for the same reason I’ve always loved Halloween.

For one night, I can pretend to be someone else.

“And being in this town requires a coordinating outfit.” She winks as she takes the coffee cup I slide her way and brings it to her bright red lips.

But just as she’s about to take a sip, she pauses, her eyes going wide. “Oh, my God.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask, wondering if maybe the barista gave me the wrong order.

“You had sex!”