Page 31 of Healed By the Grumpy Elf

I pause, my hand on the doorknob. She's right, of course. I should turn back and tell her everything she needs to know. Then she could analyze the situation properly and make a rational decision to become my True Mate or not.

But that would mean she could turn me down. And I can’t handle this tonight.

I step outside into the cool night air, closing the door behind me. I lean against it, my heart pounding in my chest, knowing with absolutecertainty that no matter how far or fast I run, I won't be able to escape what I'm feeling.

Chapter 9

Maeve

Iarriveatschoolearly, my body functioning on autopilot while my mind replays last night's events for the hundredth time. My key fumbles against the lock until I steady my hand and finally manage to open my office door.

The familiar sight of children’s drawings and health education posters usually calms me. Today, it just reminds me of the tonic Lorian and I made together in my kitchen before everything went sideways. Or not so sideways, depending. I really don’t know.

"Get it together, Maeve," I mutter, pushingthe door open.

Sunlight streams through the large windows overlooking the playground, casting warm patches on the colorful dental health posters that line my walls. The examination table with its fresh paper cover sits ready in the corner, next to the privacy screen painted with cartoon animals. Everything is in its place, organized and prepared for the day ahead.

Everything except me.

I drop my bag on the desk, nudging aside the framed photos of my family to make room for the bottles of tonic I've brought. Each dark glass container holds the bitter concoction that might prevent the Pixie-Pox from spreading further. I line them up in neat rows, trying to focus on the task at hand.

But no matter how hard I try, all I can think of is that kiss.

My fingers unconsciously drift to my mouth, tracing where his kiss still burns in my memory. The intensity in his ice-blue eyes when he looked at me. The way his perfectly controlled demeanor shattered when he pulled me against him.

And then he ran! What is the matter with this guy?

I shake my head, annoyed with myself for dwelling on it. There are more important things to worry about than Lorian Reizenhart's mixed signals. Like how to convince a school full of children to swallow medicine that tastes like swamp water.

The door bursts open without warning, and I nearly knock over the bottles in surprise.

"You look like something the cat dragged in, chewed up, and spat back out," Harriet announces cheerfully, pushing the door closed with her hip. She balances two coffee cups in her hands, steam curling from the lids.

And I love her so much for it, my eyes sting.

"Good morning to you too," I reply, accepting the offered coffee with gratitude.

Harriet's sharp eyes miss nothing as she takes in my appearance. I know what she sees, the dark circles under my eyes, my usually wild hair looking even more haphazard than normal, the same cardigan I wore yesterday because I grabbed the first thing I saw this morning.

Because I woke up late and lingered in bed after dreaming of him.

"Okay, spill it." She perches on the edge of my desk, her colorful skirt pooling around her. "What's wrong? And don't tell me 'nothing' because you're practically vibrating with something, and it's not just caffeine deficiency."

"I was up late preparing the Pixie-Pox tonic," I say, gesturing to the bottles. It's not a lie, just not the whole truth. “If we can get the kids to take it, we have a chance of stopping this whole outbreak before it spreads like wildfire in the school.”

“Uh-huh. And I'm secretly a mermaid.” Harriet narrows her eyes. "Come on, Maeve. This is me you're talking to."

I sigh, taking a long sip of coffee to buy time. "Lorian came over to my house last night to prepare the tonic."

“So, it’s Lorian and not Dr. Reizenhart anymore?” Her expression transforms into delighted curiosity and she leans toward me. "Now we're getting somewhere! And?"

"And nothing." I check my watch, expecting the first wave of students with Pixie-Pox symptoms to arrive soon. "We made the tonic. He left."

Harriet chuckles, lifts her brow at me, and gives me that sharp gaze that can keep an entire kindergarten class in line.

"Nope. Not buying it. Your face is turning the same color as your hair. Details, please." Harriet makes a face while she wiggles her index at me. Then her eyes widen and her jaw drops. "OMG, girl! Did you guys do it? Did you have sex with Doctor Elf?"

"Harriet!" I feel my cheeks grow even hotter. "It wasn't like that."