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“You mean other than the fact that I enjoy your company? I thought you might like an official date with Santa.”

Amused, Sage smiled. “The truth is, I’d enjoy that very much.”

They worked out the logistics. Sage would drop off Ricky at Maria’s and Ethan would meet her there. Ethan had dinner reservations at a seafood restaurant on the Seattle waterfront. One of Sage’s favorites, although Ethan was unlikely to know that.

—

The hostess seated Sage and Ethan by the window with the nighttime view of the waterfront, lit up with an array of holiday features. The ferryboat had recently docked, with row upon row of vehicles exiting the belly of the ferry. A long line of cars and passengers waited to board. The lights reflecting off the waters of Puget Sound brightly illuminated the area. Crowds mingled along the walkway, and although Sage couldn’t hear any conversations, she felt the festive atmosphere from her vantage point.

The hostess made a slight sound, distracting Sage. She returned her attention to the other woman.

“Your menu,” the young woman with purple-tipped blond hair explained.

“Oh, sorry, I was caught up in the view.”

“It really is lovely, isn’t it?” she asked. “I never get used to seeing all the activity there, especially this time of year. That’s what makes Christmas so special to me.”

Sage understood, as she was captivated by the scene herself. She thanked the hostess and read through the menu. The seafood Cobb salad grabbed her attention.

When the server appeared, Sage ordered the salad and Ethan requested the salmon. He also ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc.

Ethan waited until the wine was served before he leaned in her direction. He hesitated, as if measuring his words. “Something changed this afternoon,” he said, “something between us. I saw it in your eyes.”

So that was the reason for this dinner date. The reason for her date with Santa.

“Something did change,” she admitted, looking down at the wineglass in her hand. “A number of things, since you asked.”

“Do you care to elaborate?” he asked.

Sage chose her words carefully. “Mostly I realized I could trust you. As I explained earlier, I’d been badly burned before, shortly after my college graduation. I’ve been leery of relationships ever since, unwilling to put my faith in another man and risk my heart.”

“I’ll never purposely do anything to hurt you, Sage.”

“And I believe you,” she said, uncertain he understood what a big leap this was for her.

“Thank you.” His face held an intensive look of appreciation. “That means a great deal to me.”

“There’s something else. I’ve worked long and hard to prove myself worthy of this promotion with Park Marketing. I had my sight on it almost from the first.”

“I believe everyone in the office is aware of how badly you want this position.”

Sage wasn’t sure whether that was a compliment or not and let it slide because it didn’t matter any longer.

“When I learned you were also in the running, it caught me off guard. For the first time I felt I had real competition. The original deal was that whoever won the account with the Hudson Group would be appointed manager. I felt I was a shoo-in. Troy, well, I don’t need to say anything more about him. You know him as well as I do.”

At the mention of Troy’s name, Ethan frowned. “I hope you’re also aware he’ll do whatever he can to undercut you.”

“I have no doubt,” she said with a soft snicker.

“Explain what changed this afternoon.”

Sage’s throat thickened, and she took a moment to compose herself before she answered. “While we were at lunch, in McDonald’s, of all places, it came to me that if Mowrey chooses you over me, I can accept that decision with grace. You’d make an excellent manager. I’m confident we would work well together.”

“You’d make an excellent manager as well,” he admitted.

“But now, getting that promotion, it isn’t my all in all,” she said, doing her best to explain. “This is a lesson Ricky taught me. For far too long I’ve narrowed my world to the point that I feel like I’ve been missing the reason for living, and that’s deep and satisfying relationships.”

Ethan’s smile was full of warmth, his gaze holding her prisoner.