Page 26 of Miss Christmas

“I’ve thought about that—not that I presume I would win because I know it’s a long shot.” She smiled again. Demure, humble even. Another check in Emily’s plus column.

“But I find the idea of winning ten thousand dollars so enticing because I have this charity I’ve been involved with for a long time. Since I was a teenager. My mother insisted I get involved at the time. Now you couldn’t tear me away from it.” She laughed.

“What is this charity?” He felt his heartstrings tugging. He was a sucker for a good cause and a generous heart.

“It’s a home for runaway teens in the city. They’ve helped so many young girls, some who I’ve kept in touch with since high school, sort of growing up together.” Her face beamed and his heart squeezed. A pleasant fondness for Emily swept over him. She was lovely. She had possibilities with her soft heart, earnest smile, and calm quietness. Not to mention her beautiful face and very nice body.

And yet his dick remained unexcited. But Will wasn’t worried about that. There was no doubt if he found himself naked with Emily in his bed, his dick would perk up.

They talked about her favorite books, her alma mater, Wellesley College, and mutual acquaintances for over an hour until Fran knocked on the door to remind him he had four more young ladies to talk to.

“I look forward to seeing you again, Emily. It’s been a true pleasure,” he said, sounding like his father or his uncle. Horror at the idea struck him. He gave her a smirk to compensate.

She smiled back, eyes twinkling with promise. That glimmer of aspiring naughtiness peeked through.

After she left, he forged through the rest of the interviews and he was proud of his stamina when he’d finished. None of the other four contestants held a candle to Emily in the potential serious relationship category, but he’d survived and found himself only ten minutes late for his three o’clock meeting with George.

* * *

When Will rushed into George’s office, he found his cousin leaning back in his chair with his feet crossed and resting on his desk. George lifted his wrist to check his old hand-me-down Rolex.

“Sorry I’m late.” The words were automatic. He didn’t mean them in the least. George might be his boss, but the line between cousin and boss was extremely blurry. Mostly because they both knew Will was the harder worker and crack in his role, indispensable on the Regal corporate team.

“What’s up, Will? And I don’t mean with the store. What’s got you so distracted?”

This was a cousin-to-cousin question, tougher to answer than any business quiz George could come up with. Will sighed. Time to unburden to someone.

“I’ve been seeing Scarlet Jones, one of the contestants, the one—”

“The one Margo picked out for you,” George said. The bastard.

He nodded.

“And?”

“And she’s spectacular. We have . . . chemistry.” Will couldn’t help his small smile, remembering. “But she’s all wrong. Too bold. Too out of control. She drives me out of my mind.”

“I never met her, but she must have something going for her.”

“Sure. She’s smart and funny. And an absolute knockout. I’d bet half my trust fund that she’ll win the pageant.”

“Only half?”

“You shit. I’m serious. She’s not the woman I want to introduce to Grandma someday as my fiancée. But—”

“But what?” George was serious, so Will said what was on his mind.

“I need to stop dicking around with Scarlet and find someone with potential to settle down with.”

“I don’t know, Will. Sounds like your dick is happy dicking around with Scarlet.”

“Very funny.”

“Seriously. Maybe there’s more to—”

“Not a chance in hell. Can you imagine? I can’t even keep my name straight with her in my head all the time.” He paused. George said nothing. It was a lame excuse. “Besides, she said she has no intentions of getting serious. With anyone anytime soon. Especially someone with money. And I believe her.”

George leaned forward and hit him on the shoulder, then shook his head.