Page 49 of A Real Man for Christmas

I put the display shoe back and bent under the table to look for a box in my size.

“Have you and Tanner discussed where the relationship will go once you return home?” Faye asked, bending down to my level.

“No.” I found my size and reached to the bottom of the stack to get it. “I think I’ll wait until after the wedding to see, well, I guess to see if he’s willing to pursue something long-distance.”

Faye nodded. “And to see ifyou’restill interested as well.”

“I suppose so.” I bit my lip. “I’m not just using Tanner as a date to my sister’s wedding, though,” I blurted as I stood up. “I really care about him.”

She waved her feather duster in the air. “Oh, I know that, my dear. Of course you do. Don’t you worry a bit. It will all turn out fantastically well. I’m sure of it.”

I smiled, buoyed by her enthusiasm. “Thanks, Faye.”

“You are welcome.” She smiled and left me with a last wave of her feather duster.

I strolled over to the register to make my undeniable impulse buy. Tanner joined me at the counter. “Did you go shopping?”

I took the proffered receipt from the cashier and linked arms with him. “Just some shoes for Lindsay’s wedding. Where do you want to go for lunch?”

He gave a slight wince. “Is it okay if we order in? I can’t take long for lunch. I have to help with inventory this afternoon.”

“They make models do inventory?”

“Not really. I’m doing it to help out Faye.”

“Oh, no worries! Lunch here is fine.”

He grinned. “Great. I was hoping you’d say that.”

We ordered sandwiches from across the street. I paid the delivery guy because Tanner was without his walletagain—this time he said he’d left it at home. It was a good thing he lived in the city and didn’t drive since he never had his driver’s license on him. We ate our sandwiches in the same storage room where we’d shared our first lunch.

“I’m sorry about this,” he said, glancing at the room. There weren’t any fairy lights creating a romantic atmosphere this time. “I promise to take you somewhere fancier for dinner tonight.”

The thought teased my mind that I might end up paying for that meal, too, but I didn’t say anything. He must have misinterpreted my silence.

“Unless you don’t want to go to dinner with me. Do you have other plans tonight? Um, well, I know it’s Christmas Eve. You probably have other commitments…”

“Oh, no! No, I’d love to go to dinner with you.” Even if I was paying.

He squeezed my hand and smiled. “Great. How about Chez Chic? It’s right around the corner from The Sandwich Stack. I’ll meet you there.”

“Perfect. Oh! But what about crossing the street and your vertigo?”

He smiled. “How kind of you to remember. It’s okay. I’ll have Faye walk me over after we’re done with inventory.”

“Wonderful. It’s a plan.”

He balled up his empty sandwich wrapper and stood. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go. Can’t wait to see you tonight, though.” He kissed my cheek. “Can I walk you out?”

“Sure.”

I picked up my trash and let Tanner lead me to the front doors of the store. He put his arms around me.

“You are the most entrancing woman I’ve ever met.”

I laughed and stared up at him. I wondered if I should mention Josh and that kiss last night. And how guilty I should feel about it. I didn’twantto mention it. I didn’t know how I felt about the kiss, and I didn’t want to complicate things with Tanner—especially anything that might change his mind about wanting to come with me to the wedding. Besides, we’d never discussed being exclusive. Not to mention I hadn’t been the one to initiate the kiss.

Feeling slightly better about the situation, I let Tanner pull me in for a kiss.

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