Page 8 of The Christmas Gift

“You’ve dated her type before and already know how it ends,” Cor reminded him. “She plays hard to get and you pretend her lackluster conversations are interesting.”

“Maybe I like hearing about her bedazzled dog and daddy issues.”

Cor barked a laugh. “Uh-huh. The minute you stop pretending to be impressed by her daddy’s yacht, she’ll decide to stop stringing you along.” He shook his head. “I don’t even know why you pretend to be intrigued. You’ve got more money than Thaddeus.”

“I’m trying to be social.”

Cor sobered. Socializing outside of their circle always left Spencer drained. But he had to give his friend props for stepping beyond his comfort zone.

“Anyway, you’re just cock blocking because your hookup got away. What’s that woman’s name again?”

Was it obvious? “She said her name was Joan.” Dammit, if Joan hadn’t made him do a double-take when it came to dating women. Cor shrugged instead of admitting Spencer spoke the truth. “I’m making sure you’re okay with your date being all up in your space.”

Spencer cringed.

“Look, sorry about tonight, but I’m fixin’ to go to a meeting with the new marketing advisor for Eros. The Christmas line is in jeopardy of not meeting the first shipment so I can’t blow it off.”

“What happened now?”

Cor rubbed his hand down the center of his face. The project was encountering more hiccups than expected. “Let’s just say, some of the original designs need overhauling and the new shades of nude aren’t being delivered fast enough.”

“Tell me the condom pocket idea is squashed.” Spencer raised a brow. “I’m all for responsible sex, but the partner enjoying his woman in lingerie should bear some responsibility.”

“Agreed,” Cor said. It wasn’t only that Eros was a new line. They were entering into a new market, requiring fresh ideas. They needed to understand and deliver on what curvy, diverse women wanted from their underwear. “It took a few tries but the market testing helped the designer understand the client’s needs.” Cor pulled out his cell phone.

“Who are you calling?” Spencer frowned. “I thought you weren’t blowing off the meeting.”

“I’m not. I’m calling Wren.”

“Hell. No. I know the three of us are best friends and all, but there is no way I’m taking him anywhere near the woman I’m hoping to land.”

“Too late.” Cor put the phone on speaker.

“Hey,” Wren answered on the second ring.

“What are you doing right now?” Cor asked, the corner of his mouth twitching as his friend narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “Spencer needs a wingman.”

“Sure…I can chaperone.”

“Hell no!” Spencer shouted. “I’m not giving you a chance to use that rice water hair.”

Wren laughed. “Like you don’t have the ladies drooling all over your dreads.”

Spencer rolled his eyes.

“Cor, buddy, text me the details. Spencer, I’ll meet you in twenty.” Wren sniffed loudly. “Make that thirty, got to look sharp for the ladies.”

“Do you hear him?” Spencer grunted.

Cor put his hands in the air. He wouldn’t get between their teasing or have them turn their attention on him.

“I have this bro. All I have to do is keep her friend occupied so you’re not riddled with intrusive questions. That way, your social anxiety stays in check.” Wren hung up.

“See, that wasn’t so bad.” Cor closed the folder with the designs, heading for the board room. “Once this launch is over, we’ll meet Oliver at his place for a drink.” With the holidays approaching and the increase of events around the city, their usual corner table at their favorite bar would become hard to get. Oliver was the landlady’s nephew. For reasons of his own, the man also avoided crowds. But Cor didn’t think Oliver was people claustrophobic like Spencer.

If maneuvering the launch was as simple as finding Spencer a new copilot, the Christmas season would be a breeze.

The boardroom buzzed with activity when he walked in. Pat, his receptionist laid new folders on the large oval glass conference table. He noted the designer wasn’t in attendance, but that was to be expected. The designer was given limited time to come up with four new designs to showcase Eros’s launch this season. Those creations were going to be behind display windows and on manikins.

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