Page 6 of Sleigh Rides With St. Nick

"A vague answer."

"As was yours," he responded."Marketing is a large discipline."

"Most people stop listening when I talk about my job.They think that marketing is all about photoshoots and snappy taglines.They switch off the moment I tell them it's about numbers."

"Everything is about numbers," Nick responded.

A commotion down the bar broke through the tension brewing between us and I turned in time to see Laila throw a drink over someone.

"Oh, Zeus, what have you done now," Nick muttered.

"That's Zeus?"I asked.

He nodded."That might not even be the last drink of the night he gets thrown over him."

"Maybe not, but that's the one I have to deal with, that's my friend."

"Ah."

"I'm sorry, I really need to check she's okay."Especially if he was right and thatwasZeus she'd thrown her drink over.I paused for a moment, not really wanting the conversation to end, even if I had to go check on Laila.

"Would it be forward to ask for your number before you go?"Nick asked.

"It would."I unclipped my handbag and pulled out a business card to hand it to him.

"Do you always carry these around with you?"

"It's the easiest way for you to know that I'm giving you my real number," I responded."If not, I'd just make something up and write it down."

"Ah, smart."He tucked it into his pocket without looking at it."And if I were to use your number, what should I ask?"

"That's up to you," I said."I can't tell you how to impress me."

He chuckled."Or I'm just trying to figure out what you'll enjoy so we'll both have a good time."

I considered it for a moment and realised being cagey wasn't going to get me anywhere."This is too many people.I'd rather be somewhere smaller and less crowded."

"Which is much better for conversation."

"Exactly," I responded.

"Food?"

"Well, you did say you came to Jinx events to eat.So how about dinner?"

"Are you free on Thursday?"he asked.

"I can make Thursday work," I said."Where were you thinking?"

"Have you ever been to The Cedar?"He leaned in, which was when I realised we'd slowly been moving closer to one another as we spoke.

"No, but I've heard good things.Eight sound good?"

"I'll book a table," he responded."Maybe I didn't need your number after all."

I laughed."Apparently not.And if it's a successful date, then maybe I won't need your comment for my fake article about Jinx, I'll be able to use firsthand experience to write it."

Amusement danced over his handsome face.I could hardly believe I'd actually made a date with someone at this event, especially when I was only actually here as a guest of Eloise.

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