Page 32 of Just One Kiss

"Well, it might be one of his brothers," Keira amended. "Can I take Brett to meet the reindeer, Hannah?"

"Uh, sure, thanks," Hannah said.

He set Brett down on his feet, and the little boy slipped his hand into Keira's. He was certainly a trusting soul.

"No problem," Keira said. "Actually, there is a problem. Santa has been delayed by a surgery. And the line is getting long. You might want to think of a Plan B. You can do that while I show Brett the reindeer."

"I think I'd rather do the reindeer," Hannah said, but she was too late. Keira was already leading Brett away.

"Damn," Hannah muttered, taking out her phone to read a text. "Your father won't be here for thirty minutes."

"The kids will survive."

"Will their parents?" she asked, tipping her head toward the line where the children were growing increasingly restless and their parents were looking more than a little frustrated.

"What other option do you have?"

She tilted her head, giving him a considering look. "Santa's suit is in the house. I could get a sub for just a short time."

He did not like the way she was looking at him. "No way. I'm not playing Santa. That is my dad's role."

"Does it really matter whose role it is? Think of the kids. They're dying to tell Santa their secret wishes. All you have to do is listen."

"I can't believe you're asking me to be Santa. Haven't I done enough for you this weekend?"

"But this isn't just for me; it's for the kids."

He hated her pleading smile, because he didn't want to play Santa, but he also didn't want to say no to her. If he did help her out, he needed to get more than a thank-you. "On one condition," he said.

"What's that?" she asked warily.

"I want a date."

"A date?" she echoed in astonishment. "With me?"

"Of course with you."

"Why?"

"Because we started down a new path last night, and I think we should keep going."

"I don't want to keep going."

"Well, I don't want to play Santa Claus. So that's where we are. You can make me dinner, or you can take me out, but I want a date that includes a meal and at least one hour of your delightful conversation."

He loved seeing the dilemma in her eyes. She only had one choice and they both knew it.

"Do you really want to have dinner with someone who doesn't want to have dinner with you?" she challenged.

"I want to have dinner with you. What's your decision?"

"I have to take care of Brett," she said, with one last desperate attempt to get out of it.

"I didn't say when it had to happen, just that it happens. If it's tomorrow or a week from now, I'm good."

She let out a breath of resignation. "Fine. I'll have dinner with you sometime. I can't guarantee delightful conversation, but I will talk."

"Then I'll be Santa. Deal." He extended his hand.

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