As Niamh apologized, she brushed the snow from Elmer’s coat, her gloved hands working quickly..
“It’s freezing out here. You should have waited for me inside.”
“No, it’s fine,” Elmer replied, shaking his head. “I wanted to be here so you’d see me as soon as you arrived.”
His gentle smile was never dazzling, but on a winter morning like this, it was warm enough to thaw even the coldest heart.
“By the way, you sounded urgent on the phone. Is everything all right?” Elmer asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Oh, nothing really. I just did a good deed, that’s all,” Niamh replied, knowing full well how evasive that sounded.
But she was certain Elmer wouldn’t press her for details.
“As long as you’re okay,” he said, just as she expected–never one to pry.
Niamh smiled gratefully. Elmer’s thoughtfulness always amazed her.
Still, she felt a pang of guilt. She was nearly two hours late, and worse, he’d been standing out here the whole time, waiting for her in the cold.
“Once we’re done looking at the car, lunch is on me!” she insisted.
Elmer nodded. “Lunch is your treat, but I’m paying,” he said, smiling.
Niamh grinned, declining to argue further. They reached the dealership door, but before she could push it open, Elmer opened it for her.
She wasn’t here to browse idly; after weighing her options, she’d decided to stick with the BMW 3 Series–the best value for the price and easy to customize. Elmer agreed with her choice.
The purchase was straightforward. The paperwork was done in no time, and she could pick up the car in two days.
They grabbed lunch at a cozy bistro nearby. Niamh insisted on paying, end, Elmer won out.
in the
When they stepped outside, the snow had stopped, but the streets were blanketed with a thick, pristine layer. Their boots crunched as they walked.
1/2
10:59
Chapter 398
“Do you have more work this afternoon?” Elmer asked.
Niamh let out a rueful laugh. “Work? I’m drowning in it. I’ve got seventy–four custom orders, each one unique and tailored–fifteen collaboration projects, a new line in talks with FY, and both KDY and DFN want me as a consultant. Oh, and Queen Elizabeth herself asked if I’d consider a jewelry exhibition…”
Just listing it all made her head spin.
“What I really need is to find an office,” she muttered.
Elmer nodded emphatically. “Well, since you’re so busy, you should play hooky today!”
“…What?” Niamh blinked, thinking she must have misheard.
But then Elmer seized her hand and tugged her across the street.
Neither of them wore gloves. Their hands met, palm to palm, filling each other with warmth.
Across from the bistro was a small park. In the dead of winter, it was nearly deserted.
“It’s not every day we get this much snow. How about a snowball fight?” Elmer suggested, a playful glint in his eyes.
For a second, Niamh thought he was joking, but his smile was earnest and his gaze sincere. She wondered if he really wanted to play, or if he just wanted to help her relax–a bet she’d take was on the latter.
Either way, she was here now. Work could wait. She decided to let go and enjoy this moment with Elmer.
“Hold on,” Elmer said, stopping her just as she bent down to scoop up some snow.
He unwound his blue scarf from around his neck and wrapped it gently around
hers.
At that moment, a yellow Lamborghini screeched to a halt at the curb nearby.
