Mr. 365 Read Online Free Page B

to handle it.”
    “A puzzle?”
    “For one thing, he’s got a hard-edged look, in a tough guy sexy way. That shot we had of him in the light-up Christmas sweater was very misleading. He’s actually hip… he has at least one tattoo that I know of.”
    “Really?”
    “And he’s way too good-looking.”
    “And he’s single? Maybe I should come to your next meeting,” Rachel adds.
    “Really?” I ask, hiding the apprehension in my voice. I’d forgotten Rachel’s single status.
    Rachel shrugs. “There are worse things than a gorgeous, hip guy who overdoes the holidays. My last boyfriend made me leave him catalogue pages with items circled for gift ideas.”
    “How romantic,” I say, wrinkling my nose.
    “Exactly.”
    I think of attractive Rachel meeting Will, and I’m surprised how quickly jealousy flares up inside me. “No, coming to our next meeting isn’t necessary. Besides he’s not boyfriend material. He has to be twisted inside just to do all this crazy stuff. Right? I just want your advice on how to convince him to do the show when he’s wary of our intentions.”
    “It’s like dating a new guy; you have to flatter, romance, and seduce him until he wants to do the things you want him to. If he gets distracted enough, he may forget his trepidation. Try building up his ego. Tell him women will be falling all over him.”
    I resent such a ridiculous strategy
. Besides, would this even work with Will?
Nothing in his behavior suggests he’s that kind of guy. Even though we’d just met, I was the only one he wanted to impress.
    Maybe I’ve grown tired of the men I’ve met lately who never know what they want, or what they’re sure of. Will is certain of everything, including his reaction to me. As much as I hate to admit it, I find this incredibly appealing.
    I’m suddenly protective of this man who doesn’t realize how odd he is with his obsession. “But he thinks we’ll make fun of him… make him look the fool.”
    Rachel shrugs disinterestedly. “Well, then it’s your job to make him think we aren’t doing that.”
    “And we aren’t, right?”
    “No, of course not.” Rachel checks her watch and stands. “Hey I just realized I have a meeting with Don. I have to get going, but you know what you need to do, right?”
    I sigh and say what Rachel expects to hear. “Flatter, romance and seduce.”
    “That a girl,” Rachel says. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

Chapter Four
    W hen he answers the door, I hold up the ornament dusted with fine glitter.
    He grins. “I told you Glinda would get you back to me.” He pulls the door open wider. “Come in, come in.”
    I hand him a bottle of wine. “I was going to bring sparkling water, since this is work related.”
    “But?”
    “That just seemed goofy. So, I brought wine instead. Red okay?”
    He takes the bottle. “Perfect. I’ve got Romeo in the backyard so the kitchen’s safe. Come keep me company while I finish up.”
    I step toward the towering tree in the foyer and pause to hang Glinda on the tree. When I step away, Will rests his hand on my lower back and guides me to the kitchen. I pull a stool up to the center island while he opens and pours the wine.
    “How was your day?” he asks.
    “Good. I powered through all the boring chores and errands so I’d have plenty of time for fun.”
    “Sounds good. Do you live alone?”
    “Yes.”
He doesn’t drag his feet, does he?
I imagine where this is leading.
    “No boyfriend?”
    Well he’s certainly direct
. “Nope, not right now.”
    He smiles like a Cheshire cat.
    “How about you? Girlfriend?”
    “Nope, not right now.” He looks me right in the eye, and it’s unnerving.
    There’s a charged pause as I think about the fact that he’s single too. We both take a sip of our wine. I glance up at the elaborate molding running along the circumference of the ceiling and the antique light fixtures with their warm glow of light.
    “Before I came in, I was marveling at this