Page 30 of Santa Baby Maybe
“Mr. Darling,” a young woman called from behind where W.B. was standing. Still holding my hand in his grip. “Your table is ready.”
“Yes, I’ll be there in a minute.”
“We only have fifty-six remaining,” Alexandria pointed out.
“I’ll make do with the fifty-five I have left after that,” he said to her tightly. Then he looked to me. “Sophie’s driving you home, not back to the office. Yes?”
“Yep. I’m a lightweight. She knows it. And she’s only had one beer.”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied. “I can pick you up tomorrow. For work. If you would like.”
“I…uh…no, you don’t have to do that. I’ll call an Uber. It’s fine.”
“I want to,” he said definitely. “Text me your address.”
“W.B., I must insist,” Alexandria huffed. “You’ve proven you can be gallant. Which is excellent, but we really must be getting to our meeting.”
“Don’t you mean date?” Sophie snorted. Then she grabbed my free hand, the one W.B. wasn’t holding, and tugged. “Let’s go, Joy. Let’s allow these kids to have their time-restricted fun.”
Eventually W.B. did let me go, and he and Alexandria made their way back to the hostess stand. As I left the bar, I looked over my shoulder to see the young woman leading W.B. and Alexandria through the maze of tables. It surprised me when W.B. looked back over his shoulder looking for…well, me. I guess. Our eyes met and he smiled. Then frowned. Then he looked straight ahead.
So I left and didn’t look back again.
I also did not text him my address.
