Page 75 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

“I told her when you RSVP’d as single, that you wouldn’t be going home that way,” Hank remarked.

“Which I admit, had me worried. Especially after that thing with Diane and Trish.”

Lewis looked up at the ceiling lights. “Diane and Trish! Those were their names! I am really sorry about that little scene. I met those girls during a dark time in my life.”

“Well, I’d be more annoyed if I didn’t know they’re total gold diggers. Hey, I love them,” she said to Susan’s stunned expression, “but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what they’re like. It’s why I agreed to give Lewis your phone number. I figured if he was chasing after you, he wasn’t the promiscuous man Hank had made him out to be. Although you should apologize to them,” she added, turning to Lewis with a reproachful look.

“I agree,” Susan said.

“So do I,” Lewis replied. “Which is why I sent them both apology letters explaining everything after the wedding.”

“You did?” She smiled at him with pride. “Wait a second,” she said. “I thought you just remembered their… You jerk.”

Laughing, Lewis pretended to rub the shoulder she’d playfully slapped. “Hey, can’t a guy joke around about his bad-boy past? I can’t believe you didn’t think I would apologize.”

“You’re right.” She was properly chastised. “I should have realized you’re too good a man not to own your mistakes.”

“Well, I did lead you on, so I can’t be too annoyed, can I?” He leaned over and kissed her temple, causing Hank to offer a mock groan.

“Oh, man,” his friend said. “You are smitten with a capitalS. Never thought I’d see the day. Must be a Christmas miracle. Say, the four of us need to go out after the holidays.”

Susan tensed. “You mean, in January?” What was it with people suddenly inviting them places?

“Sure. Lewis can help me lie about my glory days before I left academy league.”

“Left?” Lewis said. “You were dismissed because your foot couldn’t find the ball. You sure you want to ruin whatever lies you told your bride?”

While the three of them laughed, Susan drifted away into thought. January was only a few weeks away. She and Lewis would be done. This marvelous fun-filled night out they were planning would never happen.

“Tuesday?”

Giving a blink, she realized Maria was talking to her. “I know you usually choose to eat at your desk but the wedding proofs will be in so I thought maybe you’d like to join us for once.” Maria and several other women went out for lunch every Tuesday.

“Um…maybe,” Susan replied.

Maria looked pleased. “Great.”

“Hey, babe, I want to grab a drink before the lines at the bar are too long,” Hank said. “We’ll catch up with the two of you later.”

She waited until the couple disappeared into the ballroom before turning to Lewis. “Did I agree to go to lunch and look at wedding photos?”

“Yes, why?”

“No reason. Other than I’m surprised she asked.” In the past, when Maria made the offer to join the group for lunch, Susan assumed it was because she’d happened across them as they were headed out.

“Perhaps she’s seeing you in a new light,” Lewis replied. “Congratulations. Means both of us are getting the makeover we wanted.”

“Maybe.” Changing the subject, she asked, “How did your business meeting go?”

“I’ll tell you all about it later. When we have a chance to talk,” he replied.

“We can’t talk here?”

“Nah,” he said, shaking his head. “This is your night. I’m going to help you make the entire company jealous.”

“That was never my goal,” Susan said. “Not all of it anyway.”

“What was your goal then? Because I seem to remember a woman telling me she wanted to show the whole lot of them.”