Page 78 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

When the polite laughter subsided, he raised his glass. “Seriously, Collier’s would be nothing without our employees. So on behalf of Thomas, Susan and myself—along with all our executive staff—thank you, happy holidays and a very happy New Year. Now get out there on the dance floor and have a good time!”

The crowd applauded, and the deejay struck up a party song. Lewis waited until Susan stepped off the stage before sauntering toward her.

“Now can we go home?” He already knew the answer, but he wanted to see her skin blush again when he made the suggestion.

At the same time, Linus walked by. “Nice of you to join us,” he said, giving them both a look. “We’ll talk later, Susan.”

Lewis looked back at her with a frown. “Are you in trouble?”

“Nothing dire. Although you could have told me my bun was falling.”

“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.” His hands settled on her hips, fingers splaying outward. “Everything seems in place to me.” He paused. “Oh. Now that you say something, it does look a little disheveled.” Dipping his head, he whispered. “As if you were snogging on the rooftop.”

Score another blush. If he thought she’d agree, he’d drag her back to the rooftop for a repeat performance. Seeing as how they couldn’t, they’d have to find another way to fill the time. “Since we’re going to stay,” he said, “would you rather eat or dance?”

As if to help his argument along, the deejay began to play a Christmas love song. Susan’s arms looped around his neck. “Dance,” she said.

Good. Food was overrated.

They did eat eventually and mingle, as well. He wished Susan could have seen herself from his vantage point. She was charming and funny as she moved from group to group. Not a shred of shrewishness or unlikability in sight. “For a wallflower, you are amazingly charismatic,” he told her later, while they were dancing. It was the end of the night, and the deejay was playing the last slow dance of the evening, or rather the fifth last slow dance as Lewis had slipped him a few bills to keep the songs coming.

“If I was, it’s because I had a star on my shoulder,” Susan replied. She had her cheek against his lapel and her arms wrapped around his waist. They probably looked more like they were hugging than dancing. “You make me feel charismatic.”

Nonsense. She was her own star. She didn’t need him to be anything. Someday she’d realize that.

“People are leaving. I don’t suppose Linus will release you from duty.”

“Afraid not,” she replied. “Even if I weren’t in the doghouse, I’m stuck here until the last employee leaves. Turns out that’s the tradition. Something Linus said I’d know if I hadn’t skipped out all the time.”

“Any way we can convince all the employees to leave now? Pull a fire alarm or something?” He was dying to get her home so he could peel off that dress and share his good news. In that order.

“I wish.” Letting out a long sigh, Susan burrowed closer. “Why don’t you just tell me your news now? You know you’re dying to, and I’m dying to hear it.”

“Won’t be as fun though.” Still, she was right about him being eager to tell her. “Let’s sit down though.” It was the kind of news best told face-to-face.

“Do you remember when Graham Montclark said he would vouch for my character if necessary?” he asked once they’d settled in at a nearby cocktail table. Susan nodded. “Turns out, he went ahead and vouched anyway.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I got a call this morning from his network asking me to come in for a meeting. They’ve decided to add a new face to their game-coverage team and they think I’m the right face.”

Slowly, Susan’s eyes widened as the meaning of his news settled over her. “Are you saying…?”

“It worked.” Man, but it felt amazing to finally say the words out loud. “Our crazy plan worked!”

CHAPTER TEN

SUSANLETHISNEWSsink in. Lewis was going back to football. He would feel like he had a home again. “That’s…” It was a good thing. It was what he wanted. Rising from her chair, she threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispered. Lewis was getting his dream.

Meaning hers was over. With his mission accomplished, there was no more reason for their arrangement. Stupid her, telling him the affair could end with their agreement. Had she really thought she could sleep with Lewis and escape unscathed?

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” he said. “You believed in me.”

“No, it was all you. You’re the one who did the work and actually changed. All I did was help get the word out.”

And now he didn’t need her. She blinked away the lump in her throat.

“Look at me. I’m so happy, I’m getting teary,” she said wiping her eye. “We need to celebrate.”