Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

"I can"t believeTomas had the nerve to show up," I huff, clicking my seatbelt into place with more force than necessary. After the competition Iris offered to take me out for a late lunch, early dinner, and I readily agreed.

Iris turns out onto the road. "Oh, he"s lucky I only gave him a frosty reception."

"I can"t let him rattle me like that again. We were this close to being out of the competition because of him."

Iris gives me a sympathetic look. I appreciate that she doesn"t contradict me.

"You know I"ve got your back, right? Just say the word, and he's a popsicle," Iris says, her tone serious despite the playful glint in her eye.

And here"s the thing: I know Iris would do anything for me, no questions asked. But I don"t want her getting into trouble because, believe it or not, hexing people is illegal, and there"s a whole division of magical law personnel that enforces it—along with other magical crimes. The other part of me really wants to beat Tomas, far and square. No magical manipulation needed.

I let out a small sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "I just want to beat him where it counts. In the kitchen, you know?"

A sudden commotion in the backseat nearly makes me leap from my skin. "What the?!" I whip my head around, my heart racing at the unexpected visitor.

There, nestled between some shopping bags, sits a Christmas elf. No bigger than a loaf of bread, he"s a curious sight with his pointed red hat askew and his bright green outfit, reminiscent of holiday cheer. His tiny boots dangle off the edge of the seat, barely reaching the end. Iris merely glances over her shoulder with a casual air, as if Christmas elves appear in backseats every day.

"Elrick, what did I tell you about popping up in the car?" she chides, though her tone is more amused than annoyed.

The elf clasps his tiny hands together, his plump cheeks flushing with a hint of sheepishness. "Sorry! Sorry! I keep forgetting," he stammers, struggling with the seatbelt that seems determined to dwarf his small frame.

My initial shock slowly ebbs away, replaced by a blend of curiosity and bemusement as I take in the peculiar sight before me. "Claire, meet Elrick. Elrick, this is Claire. He"s sort of adopted us," Iris introduces, as if explaining the presence of a common pet rather than a magical creature.

The elf tips his hat, a twinkle in his eye. "At your service," he declares, and I can"t help but crack a smile despite the surrealness of it all.

As we turn into the diner"s parking lot, Elrick doesn"t waste any time; he"s practically bouncing out of the car, eager as a kid on Christmas morning.

Inside, the elf waves to the staff like an old friend, and to my surprise, they don"t bat an eye. "One booster seat, please!" Elrick announces with the confidence of a king. The hostess, unfazed, nods and fetches one, placing it next to Iris.

Settling in, Elrick"s feet dangle, barely brushing the seat"s edge. "Ah, perfect view," he declares, surveying the diner as if it"s his kingdom.

Iris leans towards me, lowering her voice. "So, about Morgan," she begins, a knowing look in her eyes. "Did you see the look he gave Tomas? If looks could kill..."

My heart skips a beat at the memory. "Yeah, I noticed," I admit. I"m not going to lie, there was something sexy about it, too. It was primal. Just thinking about Morgan makes my pulse pick up, which is absolutely ridiculous.

"What do you know about Morgan?"

"Other than my best friend has the hots for him." Iris smiles

"Stop it." I sit back, trying to act all seriousness.

"Alright, alright. But he was the guy on the plane, right? The one that helped you."

"Yes, and there"s something there. I can"t describe it, or explain it. I don"t even know anything about him. And yet, I want to."

"Do you now?" Iris teases.

I cover my face with my hands to cover my reddening cheeks.

Our banter is interrupted by the waitress"s approach, her notepad ready. "What can I get you lovely folks to drink?"

Elrick, seizing his moment in the spotlight, declares with gusto, "Hot chocolate, please! And extra marshmallows!"

I request a Coke, seeking the familiar comfort of its bubbly sharpness, while Iris echoes my choice.

Once the waitress departs, Iris"s gaze softens, her tone taking on a more serious note. "Morgan"s a solid guy. Moved here around when you left for Cali. Used to be tight with Jasper before... well, before the big time."

My curiosity piqued, I lean in, "Big time? Like with surfing?"

"No, baseball."

"What?" that was unexpected.

"Morgan was in the MLB. Third baseman. Amazing player. Was really living the dream for a while."

"But?" I ask because something clearly happened.

"A bad pitch ended his career," Iris says, her voice filled with regret.

I"m stunned, the revelation painting a picture of Morgan I hadn"t imagined. There"s a depth to him, a history marked by highs and lows, that I"m only just beginning to glimpse.

As if sensing my shock, Iris adds, "He"s been through a lot, Claire. More than most know."

I want to ask more, to delve deeper into the story Iris hints at, but the arrival of Elrick"s hot chocolate, complete with a mountain of marshmallows in a separate dish, shifts the focus. The elf, undeterred by our somber conversation, dives into his treat with abandon, cheeks bulging with sugary delight. "These are sooooo good," he says, his cheeks bulging like a chipmunk's full of acorns.

"Anyway, he"s a good guy," she says. "If you want to hook up with him, you have my full blessing."

"Iris!"

Elrick, marshmallow-stuffed and ever-helpful, chimes in, "Need a little nudge in the love department? I"ve got Cupid on speed dial!"

I can"t help but laugh, the absurdity of the moment breaking through the heaviness of our earlier conversation. "No, that won"t be necessary. But thanks."

Elrick shrugs and then dives head-first back into his marshmallows.

"Anyway, I have no business hooking up with anyone. And I don"t think he thinks of me that way anyway," except when our eyes lock. When that happens, I'm not quite so sure about anything.