Selena arched her eyebrows at him. “Do you, now? Is this a kink of yours?”
Charlie smacked her in the arm. “What the heck, Selena?”
Selena shrugged. “I’m just saying. There’s something about a sexy Santa that makes a lot of women swoon. Last year, I read a bunch of steamy romances with that exact premise. Some of them made me wish a hot Santa would come downmychimney.”
Heat rose in Drew’s cheeks, but he hoped the restaurant’s lighting was too dim for the women to notice. It wasn’t that he was flustered by Selena’s off-color comments; he just didn’t want Rosie to think he was using the Santa suit to act out his secret desires.
Then again…given the way she was staring at him, her lips slightly parted, her eyes wide, he wondered if any of her romantic fantasies involved a sexy Santa.
He pushed the thought aside before his brain flooded with racy images. “For your information, I have the suit because I visit shelters and hospitals as a volunteer Santa.”
It had started as a dare among his fellow trainers at the gym, where the loser of their 5K run had to dress up as Santa for their holiday party. Rather than whine about coming in last, Drew had fully embraced the part. He’d enjoyed it so much that he’d bought his own suit and put out the word he was available to volunteer. Over the past two years, the Santa gig had brought him a lot of joy. It had also helped make up for a shit-ton of rotten Christmas memories. Something about the holidays had always brought out the worst in his parents.
The grin Rosie gave him was all the validation he needed. “Convinced yet?” he asked her. If nothing else, playing Santa would give him a chance to get close to her again.
“You’re hired,” she said. “Or, rather, you’re volunteered because I can’t afford to pay you.”
“It’s okay. Consider it my good deed for the holidays.” He was so focused on Rosie and the adorable way she was beaming at him that he almost missed Selena leaning down to whisper in Charlie’s ear. Both women stood up hastily and placed a couple of twenties on the table.
“This will cover our share,” Selena said. “We have to take off. We’ve got…that thing.”
“What thing?” Rosie asked. “What am I missing?”
“Nothing major,” Charlie said. “I’m going over to Selena’s to help her with…um…”
Selena grabbed her purse. “With my Instant Pot. I got one on sale and can’t figure it out.”
“But you don’t cook,” Rosie said.
“Exactly!” Charlie replied. “That’s why I’m helping her. See you later!”
Drew watched them go, confused by the whole exchange. It wasn’t like Rosie’s friends to leave her in the lurch. He turned to face her. “What’s up with those two?”
She rolled her eyes. “I think we’ve been set up.”
Three
The next timeRosie saw Selena and Charlie, she was having words with them.Sternwords. Where did they get off, engineering such a blatant setup?
She glanced across the table at Drew, who seemed befuddled by their hasty exit.
Why did he have to look so good? And was she shallow as hell for still drooling over him?
To be fair, he was objectively hot. He worked as a personal trainer, and when he wasn’t at the gym, he spent his free time pursuing outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, and biking, which meant his body was in amazing shape. Six feet tall, lean and muscular, with short brown hair, warm chocolate-brown eyes, and dimples for days. Plus, he was so thoughtful. It was no surprise the “Golden Oldies” clique at the gym—a group of women in their seventies and eighties—treated him like their honorary grandson.
Who could resist a guy like that?
But even if Rosie had been enjoying his company tonight, she didn’t like the way their happy hour had turned into an impromptu date. She looked down at her glass, which was almost empty. By now, she’d had the equivalent of two and a half margaritas. Maybe she should call it a night. She was about to excuse herself when Drew cleared his throat.
She forced herself to look up at him, which was a mistake because those soulful brown eyes sucked her right in. “Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?” His voice carried an unexpected vulnerability.
With a twinge of guilt, she remembered what Selena had told her. Something about Drew having a hard time. But they’d gotten so caught up in discussing their plans for the Duchess that none of them had asked him how he was doing.
“Sure,” she said. “Is everything okay?”
“Sort of. But since we’re alone, I need to know—did I do something to offend you last winter?”
