Page 88 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

The question now was how bad a punishment did they deserve? “They didn’t purposely leak the story,” she said. “More like they were being petty and foolish.” On the other hand, their pettiness had caused her and Lewis a lot of pain. Mostly Lewis. When it came to Susan, the story had only hastened the inevitable.

“Still, they did do damage. It’s only by sheer luck Collier’s didn’t suffer some kind of backlash.”

“You can say that again. Personally, I think we should fire them,” Thomas said.

“Not me.” Susan couldn’t believe what she was about to suggest. “I’d rather suspend them for two weeks and give them a stern warning.”

Her brother lifted his brows. “Seriously?”

“And I want them to know that I was the one who saved their catty little butts.” She wasn’t so magnanimous that she didn’t want them to owe her.

“Excuse me, you two.” Linus stepped into the entryway. “Do you plan to spend the entire evening talking in the entryway or do you plan to attend the party?”

“Merry Christmas to you too.” She kissed him on the cheek.

He looked past her shoulder. “Are you here alone?”

“What do you think?”

“Just checking. I need a drinking companion. Come with me to the bar.” He tucked her arm into his. “By the way,” he said over his shoulder, “your wife wanted me to tell you the maid of honor is getting antsy. She’s worried you’ll take too long and prevent Santa Claus from coming.”

“You know,” Susan said as they stepped into the main living room, “Thomas insists that Maddie will be running Collier’s someday. I’m beginning to think he’s right.”

When Thomas said only a few friends and family would be invited, he hadn’t been joking. Only a handful of people, a dozen at most, were in the room. Most were gathered by the piano listening to the Christmas carols. Four stockings, fire-engine red, hung from the mantel, the newest one a miniature version of the other three. The magic of it all was like salt poured into her heart, but she forced a smile for her brother’s sake. It was just a broken heart. She would survive.

Linus led her to the opposite side of the room where a portable bar had been staged. Susan’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

“You again!” she said. “Are you the only bartender in London this holiday season?” The bartender let out a hearty laugh. “I’m beginning to think so. I was drafted into service by my uncle Chris. He’s over there by the guests.” He pointed to a portly man with a white beard and red reindeer sweater.

“Well it’s good to see you…?” She realized she’d never gotten his name.

“Nick,” he replied. “Is your boyfriend with you?”

A little more salt burned her heart. “I’m afraid we aren’t together anymore.”

“That’s too bad. You two made an adorable couple.”

She’d thought so too. “Some things don’t always work out,” she said sadly.

“Or maybe they just take time,” he replied. Evidently they taught positive thinking at bartending school. “Can I get you a house special?”

“What’s it called this time? Nick likes to name his drinks,” she told Linus.

“Yep, and in honor of tonight’s special event, we’re serving True Love cocktails.”

“Fabulous,” Linus replied, sounding slightly more enthusiastic than she felt.

“Trust me,” Nick told them. “You won’t regret the choice.”

Their cocktails were barely in hand when the pianist played a loud fanfare. “If you could take your seats,” he announced. “Our ceremony is about to begin.”

Maddie appeared at the top of the spiral staircase, and as the pianist played a soft classical piece, she began picking her way down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, she scurried to the front of the room to hug her father. She looked adorable. Susan smiled, then looked at the empty seat beside her.

How she wished Lewis were here.

Rosalind was next, looking resplendent in a simple white silk dress. She positively beamed with happiness. No wonder Nick named the drink True Love.

Feeling a little nauseous, Susan took a large sip and watched the ceremony. The look of utter adoration in her brother’s eyes made her heart ache. How wonderful must it be to be loved the way Thomas loved Rosalind.