Page 90 of Tuxedos and Tinsel
“We’re both idiots,” she said. Letting their insecurities keep them from happiness. “I love you, Lewis Matolo.”
He brushed her cheek. “I love you too, Susan Collier.”
They were the three most beautiful words she’d ever heard.
“My last grand gesture didn’t go right, but maybe this one will,” he said. “I know we both have a lot of issues to work out, and I can’t promise what the future is going to hold for us. But I’d like to find out.”
There was a gasp from the room as he dropped to one knee. “Therefore, in front of your friends and family, I’m asking if you’ll…date me. For real.”
“Yes,” she replied, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “I would be honored to be your real girlfriend.”
“Daddy, are we having another wedding?” Maddie called out.
“Maybe someday,” Susan replied, her heart giving a leap at the smile her answer brought to Lewis’s face. “Right now, I think I’ll focus on having a very merry Christmas.”
Lewis Matolo: How a Fake Relationship Brought Me Love
It doesn’t take a genius to see that Champagne Lewis is happy with life. Once the king of London nightlife, he’s content these days enjoying a cup of tea and babysitting his girlfriend’s niece and nephew.
“I love kids,” Matolo says. “They remind you of what’s important.”
It’s that love of children that led the star ofFootball Tonightto establish the Matolo Children’s Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged and foster children develop leadership skills through sports. His partner in the venture is his girlfriend, Susan Collier.
“To think,” he says, “it all started with a fake relationship…”
Susan stopped reading and tucked her copy ofPersonal Magazineunder her arm. “It’s brilliant. I told you we could spin this into something positive.”
“Yes, you did, and it only took twelve months,” Lewis replied. He laughed when she gave him a playful smack.
Hard to believe a year had passed since that horrible night they’d met, which in retrospect had turned out to be the best night of her life. It’d given birth to the best twelve months she’d ever had. Both she and Lewis were making an effort to work through their insecurities. Taking Rosalind’s advice, she’d begun trying to be less standoffish and to be open to people. As a result, they were heading to the Regis to help their friends Maria and Hank celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Meanwhile it turned out Lewis hadn’t blown his shot after all. The network loved Lewis’s new notoriety. The executives thought he brought an extra edge to the broadcast.
“It’s too bad the article’s going to be out of date soon,” Lewis said. “I’ve already given the network my notice.” He’d decided the joy he felt working with kids was far more rewarding than broadcasting.
“I’m sure the world will forgive you,” Susan said. “It’s not like you left to chase wine and women. You didn’t, right?”
“No way, luv. I’m a one-woman man these days.”
Susan smiled. The best part of the year had been making their journeys together. Lately they’d even started talking about merging those journeys into one shared life, and if the little square box she’d accidently found in Lewis’s drawer was any indication, that merger was right around the corner. Two odd peas no longer unwanted and alone.
Just as they reached the hotel, the first snowflakes of the season began to fall. “Looks like the Christmas season has officially started,” Susan remarked. “They’ll be playing carols on the radio next.”
“A little early Christmas isn’t so bad,” Lewis replied. “Means the pop-up bars will be setting up shop.”
“That’s true.” Hard to hate those when it was a pop-up bar that brought them together. “Do you think the same bar is here this year? We could stop in and say hello to Nick.”
“We could see.”
They walked up the stairs to the mezzanine, expecting to find the temporary structure. Unfortunately, when they reached the top step, the space was empty. There was nothing but a pair of high-back chairs and a table with a small Christmas tree.
“Sorry, luv,” said Lewis. “Looks like we’re out of luck.”
No, she wasn’t. Her luck was only beginning.
“That’s all right,” she told him. “I’ve already got my Christmas wish.”
