Page 63 of Enticing the Elf
“Have you even had a pet before?” Ari adds. “You haven’t in the time I’ve known you.”
Okay, now I’m feeling ganged up on. “When I was younger I did, but it’s not the easiest thing to look after a pet when you’re a soldier—especially during times of crisis, which it was since before I met you.”
“How long do rabbits usually live?” Caolan wonders, still typing into his phone.
This, I know. “As pets, eight to twelve years. Sometimes longer if they’re thriving.”
They all exchange glances again.
“Okay, what’s going on? Why are you all being weird about this?”
Ari backs toward the security gate, and Hagen looks up at the ceiling, whistling, but Caolan’s still smiling at me. “We’re not being weird. I think it’s sweet that you’re willing to be a pet owner for a decade of your life so Elsking isn’t lonely. I just hope you don’t treat the new bunny like a second-class citizen.”
Hagen’s whistle cuts off, and he shoots Caolan a “what the fuck?” look.
I shake my head. “I wouldn’t do that. If this bunny and I don’t click tonight, I’ll tell the rescue to find her another family.”
The elevator doors open before Caolan can reply, and Candice steps out.
“We’ll leave you to it,” Hagen says. “Signal if you need help.”
Because they’ll be watching. Wonderful.
They exchange greetings with Candice as they pass her, and then she’s stopping beside me with a warm smile.
“Did I hear something about trouble with the printer?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Dáithí
I can’t even rememberthe last time I had a workday off for no reason. I take vacation time, of course, but usually if I have a random day off, it’s because I have an appointment or errand that can only be done on a weekday. A day off “just because” is different, and I can confirm that it’s deliciously decadent.
My appointed spies for the day were Caolan and Candice, and they both reported several times that Eoin hadn’t burned the place down and was keeping reasonably on top of things. That’s honestly more than I expected—he’s never worked as a receptionist before, our offices are busy, and we work withdragons. I made some calls yesterday to the worst troublemakers in the office and threatened them with dire consequences if they weren’t on their best behavior for the day. It wasn’t for Eoin’s benefit as much as to save me from having to deal with anything catastrophic tomorrow, though I’m not upset if Eoin benefitted from it. The job’s enough of a challenge on its own without the extra zip dragons bring.
But office hours officially ended an hour ago, and the final report from Candice was that I can expect to find things in reasonable shape tomorrow. Eoin texted me not long after to say he needed to run an errand, but could he come over whenhe was done, so I’m expecting him soon, and looking forward to hearing how his day was. And not just because he was doing my job today.
The domesticity of my feelings toward Eoin scares the crap out of me.
Elsking and I are on the couch, watching an episode ofDawson’s Creek, which Jared told me was formative to his teen years—and I can see why; it’s incredibly addictive, even if all these supposed teenagers look ten years older than they should be—when I hear the key in the front door. I don’t take my eyes off the screen, though. Is this the episode where Joey finally chooses between Pacey and Dawson?
“Dáithí?” Eoin calls—just as the credits roll. Damn it.
“In here,” I reply, picking up the remote to stop the stream. As much as I desperately want to know what happens next, I’d rather spend the evening with Eoin.
Anyway, how long can this love triangle last? Aren’t human teens supposed to be impulsive?
Eoin appears in the doorway, and the second his gaze lands on me, he smiles. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I scan him, my eyes skimming up and down his body. “You look unharmed.”
His chuckle is natural but… nervous? Why’s he nervous? “I need to apologize deeply for everything I’ve ever done to make your job harder, but before we get to that, I’ve got something to show you.”
My brows shoot up. “I’m guessing this isn’t a sexy show-and-tell.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “It’s not bad, though. I did something that you could get mad about, and?—”
“At work?” My hands freeze in Elsking’s fur as my mind races with all the possibilities.