Page 5 of Naughty Elf: Wink
The man obviously wasn’t a child, and therefore shouldn’t have received a gift from Santa, but that wasn’t the strangest part.
No, the strangest thing was that I’d made that snow globe myself.
4
Derek
I’d been leaning against my kitchen island, staring into space for a while, lost to daydreams of mistletoe and snowflakes, when I was brought back to reality by a knock on the door.
Before I could even consider answering it, the door swung open, and my best friend and co-worker, Leander, stuck his head inside. “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, Derek!” he called, letting himself in.
“You’re three days late,” I muttered into my coffee mug as he stomped his boots on the mat, knocking the snow loose.
“Don’t be salty,” he said. “Victor surprised me with a trip to Colorado. We just got back, aaand I brought you something…” he sang, skipping across the hardwood floor in his socked feet, brandishing a small gift bag.
“Hmm, is it a shot glass from the hotel gift shop?” I asked with a teasing lilt.
Leander had the grace to look at least a little chagrined. “…Maybe, but it’s classy as fuck, I swear.” He grinned slyly. “So, do you forgive me for missing Christmas?”
“Of course,” I said, opening my arms for a hug. I would always forgive him.
I didn’t mean to be bitter about my bestie being in love. I wanted him to be happy, truly, but… maybe if he could tone down all the bliss? At least until I found my happy ever after. It had to happen sooner or later. I’d like to believe I was a catch.
“You want some coffee?” I offered, already heading to the cupboard to grab a mug; he never turned coffee down. Except as I was pouring, my hands were shaking, and I nearly slopped it over my hand.
“Whoa, you’d better let me do that.” He nudged me to the side and took over. “How many cups have you had, exactly?”
“Uh, I dunno. Three, maybe?” The full pot I’d made this morning was already half empty.
Leander raised his eyebrows. “Hun, it’s not even ten yet.”
I shrugged. “I know, but I’m tired.”
“No wonder you’re jittery. Okay, well, maybe have some breakfast or something. You need to balance that caffeine out.”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry, but I can make you something if you want.” I was never hungry at all in the mornings. I always woke up feeling like I’d just eaten a huge meal.
Crossing the kitchen, I went to grab some bread for toast, but the counter was bare. I peeked into the fridge, frowning.Huh, I could’ve sworn I bought a loaf…Disoriented and only vaguely aware that my friend was saying something, I trudged through to the living room and plopped down on the couch.
Leander followed, watching me carefully. “Are you sure you’re feeling all right?” He sat beside me and reached out, slapping a hand to my forehead. “You don’t have a fever.”
I swatted him away, feeling grumpier than usual. “I’m fine, just haven’t been sleeping well.”
He nodded, tapping his chin. “Hmm, fatigue, low appetite, grouchy… weight gain,” he added, poking my stomach.
I grabbed a throw cushion and hugged it to belly. “Hey! Rude.”
“Maybe, but I’m not wrong. Are you sure you’re not pregnant?” he asked, spearing me with a suspicious look, as if I was holding out on him.
I sputtered, laughing. “Trust me. Last I checked, it takes two to make a baby, and I’ve been very solo for far too long.” If I was single for much longer, I was at serious risk of developing calluses on my palm.
“How long has this been going on?” he asked worriedly.
I sighed, thinking back. I could remember having trouble staying awake in class even back in high school. “A while…” I said vaguely, “but it started getting worse when I moved out of my parents’ place.”
“Babe, that’s over a year! Why haven’t you gone to see the doctor yet. Maybe you’re iron deficient or something.”
There was a faint tinkling sound off to the left, and I turned to see the cat batting at the Christmas tree.Typical cat, I thought with an eyeroll. “Chewy, stop that.” I leaned over and nudged him off the arm of the couch. He hopped down, and I frowned when I saw the ornament he’d been playing with. An elf, about three inches tall, in a red vest and trousers, and itty-bitty bells on the toes of his slippers.