asked with surprise.
"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.
She reluctantly slid her fingers into his, and the touch came with a wave of intense heat. She immediately jerked her hand away, her face flushing. "Let's get you into your costume."
He followed her into Santa's house, having to duck his head to enter the fake log wood cabin. He was surprised to find it decorated on the inside with two armchairs and a cooler of drinks. Apparently, this was where Santa took his breaks.
"Here you go," she said, handing him a pair of extremely large red velvet pants and a big pillow. "You're going to look awesome."
"I think I forgot what Santa looks like," he grumbled.
"It gets better," she said, picking up a white wig with a long beard. "And when you're talking to the kids, try not to make any specific promises. That gets Santa in trouble with the parents."
"I should have bargained for more than dinner."
She gave him a happy smile. "You probably should have. I'll see you outside. Don't take too long. The kids are waiting."
He shook his head as he got into his costume. He'd never had to work this hard for a date. But just taking her hand had caused a crazy explosion of heat between them.
It was time to take that fire higher or burn it out completely.
Hannah watched Jake take Santa's throne with a feeling of wonder and amusement. He looked ridiculous, but he didn't seem to care, as he patted his knee and the first child sat down. The five-year-old girl had a head full of golden curls and was completely adorable as she whispered in Jake's