Page 31 of A Real Man for Christmas

The waiter dropped off the check, and I reached for my purse, thinking I should offer to split the bill even though technically he’d asked me out. His eyes went wide, and he leaned back in his chair, slapping his pockets—back and front—with both hands.

“Oh, Margot.” He leaned forward and scratched his chin, a look of chagrin scrunching his face. “You’re not going to believe this. I don’t have my wallet on me. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I waved it off. “I’ve got it.” I placed my credit card on top of the bill, and the waiter scooped them up.

It was supposed to be a red flag—a cliché now, really—if a guyforgothis wallet on a date, but somehow I didn’t think this axiom applied to Tanner. He seemed one hundred percent sincere.

“I’m so embarrassed,” he said with a hand to his forehead. “Here I wanted to impress you with my manliness, and then I go and forget my wallet.”

“No worries. You can pick up the check on our next date.”

He leaned across the table and took my hand. “Oh, good. There’s going to be a next date. And here I thought you were only using me for my wedding escort abilities.” He squeezed my hand before letting go.

I stared into his warm brown eyes. “Oh, no. I would use you for so much more.”

His head snapped back, and he laughed. “I hope you do. Speaking of which, should we get out of here?”

My eyes widened, and my heart went pitter-patter. “Sure.”

He slapped the table, his eyes bright with delight, and stood to put on his coat.

I slipped into my coat more slowly, wondering if I’d just accidentally given the impression that I was ready to rock his body. Not that his body wasn’t worth rocking—of course itsowas—but it had been a long time for me. I’d never been one for insta-love. I needed time to talk myself up to climbing the giant step up to the bedroom. Time and a lot of neurotic list-making. Not to mention shaving my legs and buying a new set of matching bra and panties.

We left the restaurant and faced each other on the sidewalk outside. Awkward and all up in my head, I was silent.

He bumped my elbow with his. “Would you want to catch a movie?”

My stress-filled pressure tank released. I smiled wide. “I wouldlovethat. I love the movies.”

He grinned. “Great. There’s a theater right around the corner. Let’s be old school. No checking showtimes on our phones. Let’s just go watch the next film starting.”

I giggled, suddenly light and unworried. “Perfect. Just perfect. I love how everything you could want in New York City is just around the corner.”

He bobbed his head in agreement. “It’s a magical place.”

Minutes later we stood in front of the theater, studying showtimes. There were two films starting ten minutes from now, both playing at the same time. “Which one should we choose?” I asked, scanning the list.

“You pick,” he said.

“Action flick it is,” I said with a smile. I was a sucker for any film starring Gavin Braddock. He was the world’s biggest action star, and an absolute pleasure to watch on-screen. “Two forSideways from Thunder, please,” I told the balding theater employee, holding out my credit card to him.

He glanced from Tanner to me and smirked. “I’ll only charge you for the one.”

Tanner and I exchanged questioning looks. “Are you sure?” I asked.

The man snickered as he handed over our tickets. “I’m sure. Lady, this is the most fun I’ve had all night.”

I frowned, but Tanner pulled me toward the concession stand, and we hurried to get our popcorn before the previews started.

The movie was exciting. The most exciting part, though, wasn’t in the film itself. It was when Tanner put his arm around me, and I snuggled into him. I noticed that even while sitting we were exactly the right height for each other. His arm didn’t have to stretch up, and I didn’t have to scrunch down. We just fit. I hadn’t fit so well with anyone since Josh. It was just such an unexpected perk that my heart hummed a happy tune, even if I had accidentally thought about the J-word.

After the movie, we said goodbye on the street outside the theater since I’d ordered a car back to the hotel. Tanner said he had to go to the store to get something he’d left there—which I assumed was his wallet. Faye was going to pick him up. She was better than any work friend I’d ever had.

He held my hand loosely in his. “Lunch tomorrow?”

“Definitely.” The giddy sparkles in my core couldn’t wait to see him again.

“Great. There’s this lunch place next to the Corner Bistro called The Sandwich Stack. Sound good?”

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