Nick was working on the latter, steam virtually rising from his skin as he sat off stage in Santa’s Grotto, waiting for his cue to go on. Ginger had followed him and somehow convinced Iliona that she…he…they…had always intended to work as a team. Nothing could be further from the truth. He couldn’t stand the woman. Yes, admittedly, he’d had a short fling with her after Rudi had left, but it hadn’t taken long for it to fizzle out. On his side at least. On hers… even five years later she was still chasing him. The stupid elf wouldn’t get the message he wasn’t interested. And now, the woman’s bullheadedness was fucking up the reparations he was trying to make with Rudi. Nick sighed, running a hand through his still dark hair. He hadn’t shifted yet, wouldn’t until just before he needed to go on because of the effect on Rudi. He knew it hurt her, and he wouldn’t do that to her. She hadn’t even been able to look at him on the journey over here, keeping her attention on the road ahead.
