Page 68 of Santa Has a Six-Pack
“Thank you for being so kind to them,” she says. “They really love Mr. B.”
“Well, they’re great kids.” He checks behind him to make sure they’re not within earshot. “Hey, they’re still believers, right? I hope having their PE teacher dressed as Santa doesn’t mess with the Christmas magic you’ve got going on.”
“All good on that front.” Keira gives him a thumbs-up. “I told them the real Santa couldn’t be at Herald’s this weekend, so you are one of his kind and muscular helpers. Now they think you’re even cooler than they did before. If that’s possible.”
“Matt, hon, we didn’t get your lunch order today,” Dottie says. “Can I call something in for you?”
“’Preciate it, Dot, but no thanks. My buddy Gene and I are going to head out for lunch today if that’s okay?”
“Of course it’s okay!” she says.
It’s then that I notice Eugene by the exit, buttoning two little boys into their coats.
“He brought two of his niblings over to get their pics with me,” Matt explains. “He gave them a similar story about Uncle Matt being one of Santa’s helpers.” He nudges Keira. “Though he left out the ‘kind and muscular’ part.”
“That’s so sweet,” Keira says dreamily, her eyes not on Matt, but firmly on Eugene.
Well, well, well. Looks like Keira has a crush.
“Care to join us?” Matt asks.
It takes me a moment to realize his focus is on me.
“Oh. Me?” I ask.
“Unless you’re committed to another Cobb salad.” His expression makes his feelings on Cobb salads clear. “No offense, Dot.”
“None taken.” She playfully swats his shoulder.
“Well? What do you think?” Matt waits, wide-eyed for my answer.
I open my mouth to say yes. What comes out instead is, “Unfortunately, I am committed to my Cobb salad today. But thank you for asking.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dottie shaking her head in disappointment.
“Alright,” Matt says good-naturedly. “We’re heading to Sugar Bear afterward to get the kids a treat. Text me if you want me to bring you some of those root beer candies you like.”
How does he know I like root beer candies?
“I noticed the little dish of them on your desk.” He answers my unspoken question and starts to walk away, but stops and turns back to me. “We’ve never exchanged numbers, though, have we?”
“I mean, we collected your number when we hired you…” I mumble.
“Right, but I don’t have yours.” He steps closer and reaches his phone out to me. “Why don’t you punch it in here, so I’ll have it?”
I don’t answer right away.
“Friends can have each other’s phone numbers, right?” He winks.
“Oh, he’s smoooooth,” Dottie says under her breath, not nearly as quiet as she thinks she is.
“Sure,” I say. “Of course.”
I dutifully enter my phone number.
Matt smiles, and without another word, he heads to meet up with Eugene and his nephews.
Dottie makes that ‘tsk tsk’ sound she makes when she’s disappointed in me as she approaches. “Am I correct that you won’t be giving me any juicy details about your dalliance with this gentleman?”
