Page 71 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

“He was inspiring, wasn’t he?” The way she beamed in his direction made Lewis’s insides turn end over end.

“While I appreciate the compliments, all I did was give the kids some straight talk and attention. Nothing special about that.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Susan replied. “Perhaps you should consider doing events on the side.”

“On the side of what?” Montclark asked. “You’re retired aren’t you?”

Bless her. Once again, she’d opened the door for him. When they got home, he was going to kiss every ivory inch of her. “My agent has been talking with a few outlets about my being involved with the media side of the sport. In fact, I think one of the stations might be yours.”

“Is that so?” Montclark replied. “I hope they’re treating you right.”

They weren’t treating him at all. “They’re being fair.” To his surprise, he found he meant it. “After all, as you know, I come with some past baggage.”

“I don’t usually get involved in day-to-day operations myself, but if anyone gives you trouble, let me know. You’ve more than impressed me today.”

“Thank you. I appreciate the vote of confidence.” His eyes caught Susan’s. Unbelievable. Was it possible this whole crazy plan was actually going to work? Was he actually going to rebuild his reputation and return to the spotlight? If so, it was all because of the woman he’d picked for a partner. She really was his good luck charm.

His stomach immediately sank. What was he going to do when their arrangement ended?

Nothing. He didn’t know why he kept asking himself the question.

“Mr. Matolo, will you take our pictures now?” one of the children asked.

“Absolutely! We’ve wasted enough time.” He turned his attention back to the task at hand. “Miss Susan, snap away. We’ve got a Christmas party to attend.”

He could dwell on end dates another time.

Susan had to hand it to her brother. He didn’t do things halfway. Thus it was no surprise when she walked into the annual Collier’s holiday party to discover Christmas had arrived early. The ballroom was a winter wonderland of crystal and white like the ice castle in Maddie’s favorite animated film. In fact, there was an ice castle. A giant sculpture in the middle of the room, around which were tables laden with hors d’oeuvres. Behind her, outside the ballroom, there was a staircase decked with white poinsettias. She hadn’t gone upstairs yet, but she’d been told it led to a rooftop bar where people could sit around a fire pit and sip hot chocolate.

It was magnificent, and she was standing in the doorway alone.

Only for a moment. “Who takes home the castle?” Linus asked, joining her. Susan breathed a sigh of relief. As substitute host and hostess, she and Linus were expected to arrive early in order to greet all the guests. After his flakeout over Maria’s wedding, she’d been worried he’d leave her to the wolves again. She looked him up and down. “You made it,” she said.

“Thomas would have killed me if I hadn’t, same as you,” he replied. “I wasn’t in the mood to court death this holiday.”

“Good call.” If Thomas hadn’t killed him, she would have. “Let’s hope next year he doesn’t decide to have another baby so we can hand the job back to him.”

“Sounds good to me.” He looked around the room, then back to her. “Where’s your boyfriend?”

“He had some business to take care of.” That was exactly how Lewis put it too. Business to take care of. “He’ll be here soon,” she replied.

Her answer came out more defensively than she meant. Of course he would be there. He’d promised.

She adjusted the neckline of her dress again. The red-and-silver brocade was flashier than her usual style. Knee-length and classically draped in the front, it had a plunging back. The minute she saw it, visions of Lewis kissing her exposed back danced in her head. She couldn’t wait for him to see her in it.

At the current moment, she’d settle for just seeing him come through the door. “Where’s your date?” she asked Linus. “Or are you going solo again this year?”

Her brother shoved his hands in his pockets. “What do you think?” he asked.

Single then. If Lewis didn’t show, then she’d at least have a dance partner.

Honestly, why was she worrying about Lewis? He’d promised. Maybe it was because the holidays were drawing closer. After this, Lewis had no obligations to her. She thought after Graham Montclark’s comment the other day that he might discuss their future, and whether he thought they should continue their faux romance past New Year’s. Instead, he’d said nothing. When they were together, it was easy to pretend they didn’t have an arrangement; other times Susan felt like she was in a holding pattern. One ruled by nights of incredible wonder.

“You’re making that face again,” Linus said.

Susan frowned. “What face?”

“The one you’ve been making all week. Where your eyes glaze over and you get this dreamy smile. Somebody’s in love.” He nudged her with his shoulder.