His mouth twitched like he wanted to laugh. "I didn't say anything."
"Yeah, but you implied it." I paused. "Didn't you?"
When his only reply was an amused look, I gave a huff of annoyance. "Before my aunt left, you wanna know what she told us?"
"Who's us?" he asked.
"The other pet-sitters," I said with a dismissive wave of my hand. "They're my cousins, but that's not the point. The point is, she tells us that if she pays us, she won't feel guilty for being so particular. Plus, thelasttime she had an unpaid sitter, her cat ended up pregnant."
"Lemme guess." He glanced down at the carrier. "With these?"
"How'd you know?" I said with a shaky laugh. "Don't get me wrong. My aunt loves cats. We all do. But she didn't expect to end up with five extra just because she went away for the weekend."
"So, when you say she's 'particular,' you mean…" He gave me a roguish glance. "…boy cats aren't allowed?"
Something in his glance heated my cheeks in spite of the cold. Or maybe it was only windburn.Hey, a girl could hope."It's not justthat," I told him. "Like, take right now for example. We're supposed to take the kittens out for fresh air at least five times a week. For allIknow, tomorrow will be colder, which means that I was smart to do it today."
"Notthatsmart," he said. "Not if you lose a wheel in the process."
Feeling defensive now, I said, "Hey, I was pushing it through the snow."
"Exactly."
"Oh, come on," I said. "Likeyou'venever done something odd for money?"
"Not if I can help it."
"Yeah, well maybeyou'rethe lucky one. You ever think of that?" And then, before I could stop myself, I'd already asked, "So whatdoyou do? For money, I mean?"
Good grief.Could I beanyless subtle?
"At the moment?" he chuckled. "Not much."
It was exactly as I'd figured. In cheerier news, I wasn't his type, so there was no danger of us hooking up.
But let's say Iwerehis type. It's not like I had my heart set on a rich guy. It's just thatsomeemployment would be nice.
And now I didn't know what to say, so I kept one eye on the kittens and another on the sidewalk as we rounded the corner and turned onto my aunt's street.
Finally, it was Drake who broke the silence. "I don't live in my grandpa's basement if that's what you're thinking."
I almost tripped in surprise – not just at his sudden statement, but at the unsettling thought that he must've read my mind. "Oh. So, wheredoyou live?"
"You mean where do I sleep?"
"Um, yeah."
He flashed me that same cocky grin. "The attic."
In spite of everything, his grin made my heart flutter just a little.Or maybe a lot.And in that moment, I knew one thing for certain. If Iwerehis type, I'd be in serious trouble.
Chapter 7
Drake
In the crowded pub, Jeff was laughing his ass off. "SothenI say, 'But she's the wrong kind of elf. I don't likeChristmaselves. I like the other kind.'"
I lowered my beer. "You didn't."
