Page 74 of Enticing the Elf

Dáithí raises a brow, and Alistair rushes to speak before the whole presentation can be derailed.

“We agree that Eoin did well on this, but we want to highlight a few areas in particular.”

“Like?”

“Well, have you noticed that people are getting better at following the protocol for visitors and meeting rooms?”

Frowning, Dáithí nods. “Actually, yes. I only have to follow up with a couple now, and they’re always… apologetic.”

“There are still people disregarding the security policies for visitors?” Steffen demands, looking up from his phone. “Who?”

Andrew makes a sweeping gesture. “Eoin brought in reinforcements.”

“He…” Dáithí turns to me. “You told on everyone to Steffen?”

I wince. Was that cheating? Should I have handled it myself? “Maybe?”

He dissolves into laughter. “I wish I’d thought of that!”

“So you’re not mad?” I check.

He shakes his head. “No, of course not. You got the job done and in the process made it easier for me to do. I’m grateful.”Leaning in, he steals a kiss, then looks at Alistair. “Can I call it a pass now?”

“Wait,” Ari demands. “We need to deduct points for Eoin almost punching the delivery guy.”

“What?” Dáithí shoots upright, his hand sliding out of mine.

I glare at my second-in-command. “I didn’t almost punch him!”

He smirks, getting his revenge for the hockey assignment. “That’s right, you were going to rip his arms off instead.”

“Someone tell me what happened, rightnow,” Dáithí demands.

“I would also be interested to hear this,” Raðulfr adds, glancing at Brandt. “Did you know about it?”

“Pfft.” Brandt waves a hand as though possible assault isn’t even worth mentioning. “Hagen mentioned it. They got there in time to make Eoin remember he’s sensible, and nothing happened.” He pauses, then adds, “I would have at least put a little itching spell on him.”

It’s probably not a good thing when I agree with a dragon’s illogical and borderline illegal idea.

“It’s not my proudest moment,” I say in an attempt to smooth things over. “The delivery guy made it pretty clear that he’s been hitting on Dáithí, and I… got… jealous. I wouldn’t have actually hurt him.” I’m pretty sure.

“Frankie?” Dáithí looks astounded. “You got jealous ofFrankie?”

It’s only the fact that he obviously thinks that’s ridiculous that stops me from spiraling over him immediately knowing which delivery guy I’m talking about.

“Your friend Frankie told Eoin he thought he had a shot with you,” Hagen says gleefully. Why are we friends, again? “Eoin was ready to use some hardcore magic on him before we arrived to distract him.”

Dáithí gives a disbelieving little laugh. “You were going to… onFrankie… because he thinks he has a shot with me?”

I shrug uncomfortably. “I didn’t say it was reasonable. And I wouldn’t have done it,” I repeat, because that part’s important.

“He’s a child still—even for a human, he’s barely an adult. How could you give his little crush enough weight to be jealous over it? He never had a shot with me.”

“I know.” It comes out on a sigh. “But some days, it felt like I didn’t either.”

His expression softens, a trace of his old guilt mixed in with the love there. I can’t take that guilt away, but I hope it fades as our life together continues. “Eoin, you stood me up on our first date and stuck me with the check, and I still agreed to go out with you again. Even when I was trying to protect my heart, I couldn’t make myself let you go. Trust me… you have all the shots and never need to be jealous.”

“Aw,” Andrew says, then elbows Noah. “How come you never talk to me like that?”