I mull over the real reason we’re sitting here together. Would I love to plan a Christmas party for a law firm? Without question. If the holidays lasted all year long, I’d make it my specialty and never do anything outside Christmas. Do I have the room in my schedule to do the party? Sadly, yes. I have a few smaller jobs I’m committed to in the next couple of months, but nothing the size and scope of what it sounds like the law firm will be doing. But just because I have the time doesn’t mean I can pull it off. I’ll have to rely on other businesses to do their part, and with such short notice, I don’t know if that’s possible.

“Well?” Andrew looks at me with barely veiled hope and it’s clear to me how much he needs me to help him reach his goal. Not the Christmas party per se, that’s just a means to his ultimate goal of becoming partner at the firm.

Though I owe him nothing, I can’t deny that the look on his face makes me want to help.

“I can’t commit until I know exactly what’s involved. Why don’t you set up a meeting with…?”

“Bethaney. She’s the fiancée who’s in charge of the party.”

I nod. “Why don’t you set up a meeting with Bethaney and I can get the information I need from her before I decide whether I can make this happen.”

Andrew nods eagerly and something akin to a small smile tilts the corners of his mouth up slightly. “Wonderful. Why don’t you give me your contact number, so we don’t have to message through that dreadful app anymore, and I’ll be in touch.”

“You’re not going to continue trying to meet someone, IOBJECT?” I hold my hand out toward him. “Here, give me your phone.”

He pulls his phone from his front pocket, unlocks it, and hands it over. “I think I’m taking a break.”

I quickly add myself as a contact and text myself so his number will be in my phone. When I hand it back to him, he glances at the screen.

“Mrs. Claus?” he says in a wry voice.

I laugh. “Well, that’s why you want to hire me, isn’t it? I love Christmas and you’re hoping for a miracle?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. A weird whooshing feeling attacks my stomach at the sight of his smile and the twinkle in his blue eyes.

I ignore that feeling and take a sip of my drink. Me being attracted to Andrew would be akin to Mrs. Claus having an affair with the Grinch.

“Thank you for the drink,” I say to Andrew as we walk over to the coat rack.