Page 54 of Falling for Mr. Wright

“She definitely can help you with your commitment issues.”

Sarah glanced up. “You should call her, Ryan.”

What the hell? She wanted him to ask Corrine out again? He shrugged. “Maybe I will.” Okay, this conversation was over. He started to change the subject, not ready to leave Sarah and Logan alone, when Nancy came in, escorting an older woman dressed in a long red velvet dress with a white apron, her gray hair up in a bun.

“Mr. Scott, Mrs. Claus is here to see you,” Nancy announced and then broke out in laughter.

Ryan joined the old receptionist with a hearty chuckle, because he knew exactly who was in costume, and it’d been a while since he’d seen her.

“Mom?” Logan asked, giving his mother a hug.

“It’s Mrs. Claus today.” She squeezed his cheek, fully in character, and turned to Ryan, wrapping her arms around him. “Hello, Ryan. I hope you’ve been a good boy this year.”

“I did my best, Mrs. C.” He hugged her back.

“I’m not surprised. Now this one”—she waggled her finger at her son—“I’m sure is an entirely different story. I’ve got my eye on you.”

“You know me,” Logan said with a grin. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m giving out Christmas presents at the children’s hospital around the block. Did you forget that you agreed to help me?” She reached into her huge red bag and pulled out a green felt hat, handing it to Logan. “Here, put this on. We need to go now.”

Logan immediately handed the hat back. “I never agreed to help.”

Mrs. Scott narrowed her eyes. “Yes, you did—on our plane ride home from Florida.”

“I agreed to a lot of things on that plane.” He winked at Sarah and Ryan. “It was a bumpy ride.”

Logan’s mom put her hands on her hips. “You’re honestly going to disappoint all those children waiting to see Mrs. Claus and her chief elf? It’s not like you don’t own this company. Surely, you can sneak out and join me for an hour or two?”

Logan shook his head and glanced over at Sarah. “How’s my schedule this morning?”

“Not good, boss. You have a phone call with a London investor in fifteen minutes that we’ve already rescheduled once, followed by a meeting with our accounting office.”

“Sorry, Mom. It’s end-of-the-year budgets season.” Logan turned with his back to his mother, mouthing, “Thank you.”

“Well, that is unfortunate.” Mrs. Scott frowned. “What about you, Ryan?”

“Sorry, Mrs. Claus. I’m headed to Vert Tower this morning. Your son has me working all kinds of hours.” Ryan added for Sarah’s benefit, “Although, I should be back for a late lunch today.”

Sarah bolted up. “I could go. I’m free all day.”

Ryan blinked.Seriously, Red.He’d basically told her he’d be back to have lunch with her, and she’d taken that as an opportunity to run out the door? So much for her being adamant that things between them would go back to normal.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Logan agreed. “Take the day off and spend it with my mother.”

With Logan’s blessing, Sarah gathered her coat and purse and headed for the elevator with Mrs. Scott, elf hat in hand.

“Think that’s a good idea?” Logan asked, nodding to the two as they stepped into the elevator.

“For you to be without your executive assistant for the day? Probably not.”

He laughed. “You’re probably right, but I meant for Sarah and my mother to spend time together. I mean…if things work out between Sarah and me, and we start dating exclusively, they’d eventually get to know each other. So why not start now?”

“Good thinking.” Ryan bit back the urge to clock his friend. Why couldn’t Logan be interested in any of the other women in the office? He could have his pick of any of the single ladies on the floor, probably the married ones, too. His best friend falling for the girl of Ryan’s dreams wasnotpart of the plan. Sarah’s plan, yes. Ryan’s, no.

“Well, have a good morning at Vert Tower. I’m thinking of joining you later in the week.”

“Great, man. The crew would love it. See you later.” Ryan said good-bye. Once alone, he unzipped his messenger bag and pulled out the container holding the cupcakes he’d promised for Sarah and set it on her desk.

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