Page 32 of Enticing the Elf

“I’m also sending you some stuff to follow up from the hockey meeting Raðulfr and I had the other day with Caolan.”

Ari freezes. “What kind of stuff?”

I grimace, and his groan is loud enough to attract attention from some of the other members of the security team. “Eoin, noooo. It’s not my turn.”

The curious faces that were looking our way immediately turn back to what they were doing. Brayan actually leaves the office, as if that would stop me from assigning something to him if I wanted to.

“I know, but it has to be you this time. I’m sorry.”

He doesn’t reply, just sighs and glares at me as he shoves his chair toward his desk—hard. It crashes, and he narrows his eyes as if to say he wishes it was me.

Smirking, I ask, “Feel better?”

While he stomps out of the office, notebook in hand, I email him the list of names from Warhammers Erik, check my emails for anything urgent, then grab my phone. Time to see if I can set up this date.

It rings out the first time, no voicemail, but with this person, that means nothing. He misplaces his phone all the time, and he disabled voicemail when he realized people expected him to check it and return their calls. I try again… and then again.

Finally, on the fifth ring of the fourth call, it connects. “Hm?”

Crap. This is obviously not the best time. “Fabian, it’s Eoin.”

“Hm.”

Dammit. “Fabian?”

“Hello?” he sounds startled, as though he wasn’t expecting anyone to be talking to him. Good—that means he’s listening.

“Hi, Fabian. It’s Eoin—from King Raðulfr’s security team.” We don’t know each other all that well, and he can be vague at the best of times.

“Oh—hello. Did I call you about something? I don’t remember what I needed, but I can check my notes.”

I grin. “No, I called you. I have a very big favor to ask of you… well, of your boyfriend, really.”

“Rhys? What kind of favor? Did you join his study? I promise, your personal information is very private—he doesn’t even know himself who’s generating the data. Except for mine, of course.”

Considering that Rhys is running a scientific study on the effects sex has on metaphysical health, Ihopeeveryone’s information is private. “No, that’s not?—”

“You didn’t join the study?” Fabian’s voice is full of disappointment. “Oh, Eoin—you of all people must know how important this is. You were at the meeting with the king when we?—”

“I joined the study, Fabian, but that’s not what I need to talk to Rhys about.” I interrupt before he can get more off track and take me with him.

He pauses. “Oh. You know he and I are exclusive, right? He won’t go on a date with you.”

I take a deep breath and cling to my patience. “I wasn’t going to ask him. I’m hoping he can help with the arrangements for me to take someone else on a date.”

The gasp of excitement is my only warning before I’m hit with a barrage of questions. “A date? Who? Is it a first date? Do you love them? How did you meet? What can Rhys do to help? Is?—”

“Fabian!”

He stops. “You can answer those questions first while I think of some more.”

How generous. “It’s Dáithí, Fabian. I’ve been seeing Dáithí since March last year, remember?”

“My Dáithí?”

“I prefer to think of him asmine.”

“You’re the commitment-phobe!”