Lizabeth

Drew and I walk the lengths of the shops, taking in all the Christmas decorations. Although it was November 20th, the Christmas spirit was in the we. Him and I stop at a chic hibachi restaurant near the end of the outdoor shoppes.

Drew opens the door for me and we walk into the hibachi restaurant. I know what you're thinking.
"Omg! It's it date!"
Yes, from the outside looking guess it looked like a date but I was solely strictly here for Wynter.
It didn't help that Drew was a cutie but I had to focus on Wynter's love life before mine.

"Oh! The palette." I dug in my purse and searched for the prototype. I finally felt it's ridges and slid it over to him. He picked it up and smiled, trying to hold in his laugher.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing! It's just, seeing Nick as this?" he started laughing uncontrollably. He stopped once he saw my frown. "The palette is nice Liz and Wynter and Nick really compliment each other. They look good. I'm laughing just cause he's my brother" he clarified. The waiter came with two glasses of iced water and a notebook.

"What can I start you with?" She asked.

"Two hibachi specials" I smile, passing my menu to the waiter.

"And Sushi?!" Drew interjected, looking at me as if he was asking for approval.

"Sure? And two California rolls" I clarify. The waiter nodded and goes to put in our order.

"So what exactly is hibachi?" Drew asks, trying break open his pack of chopsticks.

"You've never had hibachi?" I frowned. He shook his head no, lifting the two chopsticks to his eye level .

"Here." I grab his hands and break them before teaching him how to use it.

"Thanks" he smiled. I didn't mean to make him blush but I wasn't mad about it.
"So?" He smiles, pushing an elbow above the table and staring at me. "Your make up looks different today.
You have a glow" he admired my features.

"It's fenty" Now it was his turn to make me blush. Drew was cute and we had gotten closer over the past couple of months through texting and some calls. I had a little crush and I knew he did too.

"I knew it was Fenty!" he snapped jokingly. I giggled and pretend to look at a corner menu, trying to hide my girlish smile.

"Come on Drew focus!"

"What? Can you blame me? You're beauty is distracting" he sighs.

"As much as I love you admiring me and my make up, we came here for Wynter and Nick remember?"

"I know, I know" he shows off a handsome grin.

Drew had been very persistent in showing his interest in me. I didn't mind it. I didn't know what he did for a living though, besides security for celebrities and socialites. I mean, that's how I meat him. He was Wynter's personal security guard.
The title didn't seem authentic but I didn't want to raise any suspicions.

"Any luck on your end?"

"Nope. Nick has just  been sulking day and night and snapping at everyone."

"We need to fix this. But how?"

Drew was quiet, staring at the table.

"I know it's not my place and I am putting you in a difficult position, but what exactly happened between Wynter and Nick?"

——

"Wow. I knew Wynter and Nick had feelings for each other but she didn't tell me any of this.
I can't say I was helpful or even cared to ask. I had been busy with the launch of the palette and didn't even ask her if she was okay...or even" My voice trailed off. I guess I hadn't been totally there for Wynter in her time of  need.

"Don't beat yourself up. The palettes came out great and you're trying to fix it now."

I ponder over his words, moving my glass cup towards the window to make room for our sizzling plates as the waiter came along.

She drops them off one by one and asks us if we needed anything else. We told her no and dug into our meal.

"Okay so what are we going do?"  Drew asks.

"We have to find a way to bring Wynter and Nick back together. Wynter just looks off to the distance and cries." I confess.

"And Nick gets pissed off at eveyone and eveything. He misses her"

"And she misses him." I reminded him.

"This is perfect. They both miss each other! Why can't they just kiss and make up?" Drew popped another piece of sushi in his mouth.

"Well your brother told my bestie that he didn't love her? Remember?"

"That's a lie though"

"Apparently Nick Claus doesn't lie. That's what Wynter said"

"That itself is a lie. My brother only dated two women in his life."

"Really?" I was surprised the number was so low with Nick being branded as a notorious playboy.

"Three in total technically. Wynter is the only girl I've seen make my brother act so goofy and silly. He loves her. And if he says otherwise he's capping"

"Capping?" I smiled, laughing at his choice of word.

"Isn't that a cool term people use? Capping"

I giggle and nodded. There was a new surprise with him every day. "You said you and your family were from Europe?"

"Yea yea...something like that." He smirks before stuffing his face with food.
I slowly put out my phone and slid it towards his plate.

Drew read it and his face turned white.

"So you know?"

"Yea." I nodded slowly.

"Wynter told you?"

"No. I put two and two together."

There was a deafening silence between us. Great! I had made things awkward.

"You guys are the biggest toy developers in the United States? You guys live in Alaska and ship 90% of world plastic?"

He looked relieved the secret was out and shrugged again. "Yea. But it's not a big deal. Are you mad at me?"

"No. I'm just kinda bummed you didn't share it with me."

"I'm sorry Liz. There's a lot of things I would love to tell you but..."

"But..."

He looks down at his plate and shrugs. "I just can't. I..."

I grabbed his palms and nodded. "I get it Drew. I don't expect to know eveything about your life.
But it would be nice knowing small details like this?"

"You're right. You should know. I don't know what we are but I'm interested in pursuing something more serious with you."

I nodded, biting back a smile. I was glad this revelation led to a more serious prospect from Drew.

"Then there's no rush. You'll tell me in good time. I'm a patient gal." I winked. He nodded and instantly, we gained a mutual understanding.

"Okay. So what's the plan?" I redirect the conversation back to Nick and Wynter.

"I thought you had that covered. You're super smart and into plans."

I smile and pull out my iPad. Drew stands from his side of the table and sits invasively close but I did not mind.

"First you have to convince Nick about his true feelings for Wynter."

"Easy! I'll tell him she's dating someone. That'll make him jealous."

"Drew!"  I push his shoulder.

"What! Nick gets jealous really easily."

"Okay fine. Either way, we need to find a way to get Nick to the conference."

"Conference?"

"Wynter is going public with Nubia cosmetics and is making the announcement on Christmas Eve. That's about 4 weeks away?"

"Really? On Christmas Eve?"

"You know Wynter and Christmas really don't...mesh well."

"Oh shoot! I forgot. Okay. But Christmas Eve?" He frowns, pushing a finger over his his lip. "Nick is usually super busy Christmas Eve"

"Doing what?" I ask suspiciously. I knew they were toy developers but any toys they were planning to send would have been done by then?

"You know. Job duties, last minute shipments. He was actually responsible for the Barbie doll that looked like Wynter"

"I knew that doll was her!" I snapped. Wow! It seemed as if Nick really cared For her.

"We'll, the photoshoot for his magazine spread usually photographs him every Christmas Eve. I don't know if he will be free but I can ask him?"

"Please! This plan will only succeed if Nick is at the meeting. He ha: to be there so they can reunite. That's when Wynter launches the palette and will make the announcement"

"There's no other day? With Nick...he's always busy" Drew reaches over to pull his plate of food closer.

"No." I shook my head. He sighs but eventually nods. "Fine, I'll tell him."

"Thanks Drew!" I clap excitedly. I was ready for Wynter to be happy again.

Operation Reunion was now set.

Author Note:
I don't think it's fair how Nick got to reveal his title/role as Santa to Wynter. I feel as if Drew is at a disadvantage because he really can't tell Elizabeth.
I hope his secrets don't interfere with their budding romance.