The Christmas Makeover : A Christmas Central Romantic Comedy Short Story by Caroline Mickelson

Author:Caroline Mickelson [Mickelson, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Bon Accord Press
Published: 2015-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

"Psst...this is a wrapping party. That means you're actually supposed to be wrapping something."

Jackie sat back. "You're right, Jolly." She forced herself to smile. "I'm just distracted."

Jolly grinned. "I've heard love is like that."

"Love?" Jackie made a face. "Who said anything about love?"

Jolly's smile was sage. "Ah, we're playing it like that, are we?"

Jackie reached for the tape dispenser and pulled off a small piece of tape. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."

The elf laughed. "You humans are so prickly when it comes to love." She reached for a board game and laid it down on top of a blue and green piece of tartan wrapping paper. "He's been staring at you all evening, you know."

Jackie looked over her shoulder and watched as Dean attached training wheels to a red bicycle. He sat on the ground, surrounded by a small group of lady elves who appeared to be enjoying his company. It was easy to understand why they'd flock to his side. There was much to admire about Dean Bradshaw. Not only was he handsome, intelligent, and talented, he was a really good guy. Kind, gentle, loyal, funny. And a heck of a kisser. Jackie sighed and turned her attention to the tape dispenser in her hands. She was losing her focus.

"You were just going to wrap that set of baby doll triplets," Jolly reminded her.

"Right. Thanks." Jackie returned the tape to the tabletop and reached for a box of triplets. What was wrong with her? She eyeballed the amount of wrapping paper she would need and began to cut. It had been five days since she'd impulsively kissed Dean. Not that she was counting the days. Or the minutes. Or the seconds. That would be pathetic. She was Jackie Frost, for heaven's sake, known for being cool. Collected. Unaffected.

She dropped her scissors and flopped back in her chair. Oh, she was in so deep. She closed her eyes.

"Hey, Jackie, are you okay?" Jolly rested a hand on her shoulder. "Can I get you anything?"

Jackie opened her eyes and forced herself to smile. "My heart back, maybe?"

"That's a bit out of my department, unfortunately." She pulled a folding chair over and climbed up on it. "Rapz told Tinsel and me about Santa's cover story. You want to talk about it?"

What was there to say? "Oh, Jolly. I let down my guard around Dean and now I'm...I'm..."

"In love?" Jolly supplied. "Go ahead, say it, love isn't a four letter word." She giggled. "Well, it is, but it isn't. You know what I mean."

"Now I do. Before I met Dean I wouldn't have. I don't think I've ever been in love before."

"You don't think? Trust me, Jackie, if you had, you'd have known it. But just to be sure, describe your symptoms."

Jackie thought for a moment. "I fluctuate between being ecstatic when Dean's around and despondent when he's not."

"Go on."

"Sometimes when he's talking to me, it's hard to concentrate. My mind just wanders," she gave the elf a pointed glance, "if you know what I mean.

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