"I knowofhim," I said. "He has a reputation for having good taste."
"He has excellent taste," he agreed. "I let him do whatever he wanted, and he didn't disappoint."
"I wonder if he'd do my place," I mused. "He's probably booked out for years in advance."
"I'm sure he'd do a favor for a friend," Forrest said. "You know, I didn't ask you out to give you a pile of business recommendations."
I laughed softly. "I didn't think you did. Firstly, that would be a weird reason to ask somebody out."
He chuckled. "It really would. Is there a secondly?"
I thought for a moment. "Not really. Wait, maybe there is. I probably wouldn't accept an invitation to a second date if you turned out to be a walking billboard." That would be boring and annoying. If I wanted to look at a bunch of ads, I'd scroll through social media.
"That's completely fair," he said. "I wouldn't go out with me again either. Does that mean if I ask, you'll accept?"
"I don't know. I suppose you'll have to ask first," I said evasively.
I liked him, but I wasn't going to make ittooeasy on him. Besides, we both knew I wasn't going to hurry into anything. If something happened between us, it would be a one day at a time thing. Maybe one night at a time.
"I'd ask right now, but let's finish this date first."
We walked slowly to my apartment building, stopping to admire the Christmas displays in the windows as we walked past. The year had gone by so quickly. The fact it was nearly December made my head spin.
"What do you do for Christmas?" he asked, peering at a rotating Santa, a sack full of presents on his back.
"I don't know," I said. "It's been a while since I got to decide. What about you?"
He exhaled, his breath misting the glass in front of him. "I usually spend the day by myself, wishing I could be with my sons." He turned to look at me. "We haven't had an easy relationship over the years. No doubt they have plans already."
"You surprise me," I said, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I thought you'd be busy delivering presents to people all over the world, or making toys for Santa to deliver."
He chuckled. "I would, but I seem to have misplaced my sleigh and my magic wand. I'm not sure I'd pass for a Christmas elf either."
"No," I agreed. "You're too tall. You'd be a great mall Santa, though."
"Do you think so?" His expression was thoughtful. "That might be fun, sitting there in a red suit saying ‘ho ho ho’ all day."
I giggled. "No one would suspect it was you."
"Undercover Santa. That's even better," he said. "Would you come along and be my elf?"
For a moment, I thought he'd suggest I be his Mrs. Claus. Of course, he knew better. I couldn't imagine being anyone's Mrs. Anything ever again. Not that I didn't want to fall in love and live happily ever after. I did. But get married? I'd skip that.
"That sounds more fun than spending Christmas by myself," I said finally.
We reached my apartment building and stepped inside into the warmth. After being out on the street, it almost felt too hot. I shrugged out of my coat and draped it over my arm.
"I'll walk you up to your apartment." He pressed the button for the elevator.
"You don't have to do that," I started to say.
"I'd like to be sure Woody isn't lurking in the shadows."
He seemed sure the other man wouldn't be, but honestly, I was happy to let him check. If only because two of us couldfend him off better than one. And there was the little matter of spending a few more minutes in his company.
