Maddy cringed when George helped her into her lint-covered coat. Maybe he didn't notice and if he did, hopefully, he'd extend her courtesy of not mentioning it. When she turned to face him, the look in his eyes indicated that he had other things on his mind.

"Did you enjoy your dinner?" he asked.

"The whole experience was totally Instagrammable but I was so overstimulated, it never even occurred to me until now."

"So I'll take that as a yes."

When the valet held the restaurant's blue door for them, a light dusting of powdery snow swirled across the pavement outside. With snowflakes in her eyelashes, Maddy recognized the familiar black Mercedes limo idling at the curb. Hubert opened the back door. Maddy slid onto the cream-colored leather seat, making room for George beside her.

Before the car had steered into traffic, she was in George's arms, their lips together. He kissed her gently and she responded, enjoying the sweet contact that raised her temperature.

In a break between kisses, he whispered, "I have an apartment uptown. Would you like to see it?"

"Let me think about it. Yes."

A long passionate kiss ensued.

........

They entered George's loft, kissing. When they broke, Maddy looked around. The sprawling loft, an open space featuring a dozen oversize windows, was breathtaking. The entire living space looked like an ad for Pottery Barn with its exposed wood beam ceilings. 

George grabbed a remote control from an oak side table and lit the fireplace. Rubbing his hands together he said, "That's better, right?"

"Nice." She slipped out of her heels then warmed herself by the fire. Large windows afforded a spectacular view of Manhattan's city lights sparkling against the night sky.

"Take off your coat and stay awhile," he said.

She unbuttoned her coat.

"No formalities here. Just throw it on the chair." He removed his topcoat and suit jacket and tossed them on the leather chair then loosened his tie.

"You gave your butler the night off?" she asked.

He grinned then replied, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Whatever you're having." She dropped her coat on top of his.

"I'm glad you didn't say water. That would be such a total waste of valuable time." 

"Water?" she replied. "Never heard of it."

He traveled through the room across a colorful patterned wool rug into the Carrara marble kitchen area.

"He knows the water remark was a joke, right?" she wondered, inching closer to the fireplace. "Geez, I hope I didn't come off sounding like an alcoholic."

She went to the closest window, admiring the view.  As George filled two glasses with ice and small-batch bourbon, she wandered over to a side table, discreetly pulling open a drawer and taking a quick peek inside.

He returned to the cozy living room space, handing her a drink. "For the record, let me say I am not married nor have I ever been married." He raised his left hand displaying a naked ring finger.

"Oh, I didn't..." Embarrassed, she averted her eyes. "I mean I didn't think..."

"In my study, you'll find framed photos of a beautiful woman and her two equally beautiful kids."

Maddy met his eyes.

"That's my sister, Annalise, and my nephews, Parker and Xander."

Her trepidation melted into a gentle smile.

"Now that that's out of the way," he said, raising his glass. They clinked glasses and sipped. He set down his glass, then gestured toward the leather couch.

She followed, nuzzling close to him. He took Maddy in his arms.

During a passionate kiss, he slipped one of her cocktail dress straps off her shoulder.

She slid the strap back into place. "Let's slow it down a little. Okay?"

"Sure." He smiled, then kissed her softly. 

........

During the course of the following two weeks, the relationship intensified. They met for breakfast at bohemian coffee shops, dined at romantic restaurants, held hands, and exchanged starry-eyed gazes.

Even during work meetings, with Kendall prattling on and on, Maddy wore a contented smile, her thoughts drifting back to George.

One evening, they were the only two on the floor of The Champagne Bar at the Plaza Hotel. George held her close as they danced to a romantic piano rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," her head on his shoulder. With the chandeliered ceiling glowing above her, the sentimental music in her ears, and locking eyes with the most devastatingly charming man she'd ever met, Maddy fairly swooned.

........

The next morning, Maddy stomped from the reception area to her cubicle, carrying a little pastry box. She dropped it onto her desk, then opened the box. Inside was a frosted cupcake, a folded piece of paper wedged into the icing.

Maddy read the note.

Come on, Maddy. Have dinner with me. - Nathan

Haley popped her head into Maddy's cubicle, eyeing the pastry box. "What's that?"

"I haven't been answering his calls or texts, so Nathan sent me a note in a cupcake."

"That's actually pretty original."

"I'm not having dinner with him. It'll be too--"

"--Awkward? Right. Make it lunch. Or breakfast."

"Good idea."

She called him.

"Maddy!" said Nathan, his voice full of sunshine. "What a pleasant surprise." 

"I called because I was afraid things might escalate. I can't eat an entire layer cake."

"I could help you with that."

"Look, I'm not going to have dinner with you, Nathan."

"Why not?"

"Because you're going to pressure me again like last time, and it made me very uncomfortable."

"No pressure. I promise."

"Promise?"

"Yeah, yeah. I promise. You want me to write it in blood?"

"Ew. Why would I want a letter written in blood?"

"Not a whole letter. Just a quick note."

"No. In either case, just no. No blood."

"That wasn't the most romantic thing to say, was it?"

"See? There we go again with the romantic. I thought this was supposed to be just a friendly get-together."

"So, are you rethinking the blood thing?"

"No, that's not the part I'm rethinking."

"Okay, so let's make it lunch. Or breakfast."

"Hmmmm.... Okay. Lunch."

Maddy turned toward Haley. "And I'm bringing my friend, Haley."

Haley shook her head, no.

"Why?!" Nathan asked.

"You said you just wanted to have a friendly conversation."

"I meant just a me-and-you friendly conversation."

"Well, that's the deal. It's me and Haley or nobody."

Haley shook her head again.

Nathan was miffed. "Okay, then I'll bring a friend."

Maddy hoped he'd decline the offer. Both were annoyed.

"Awesome." She gritted her teeth. "Sounds like fun."

Nathan snapped, "Good. When do you want to do it?"

Maddy snapped back. "How's Wednesday?"

"Wednesday's good."

Haley whispered, "I can't do Wednesday."

Maddy relayed the message. "Haley can't do Wednesday."

"So, let her pick."

Maddy said to Haley, "You pick the day."

"How about Friday?"

Nathan was not often perturbed, but he was now. "So me and my friend will see you and your friend on Friday."

"Awesome," Maddy replied, loaded with sarcasm. "Can't wait."

"Enjoy your cupcake."

Madison ended the call, tossing the cupcake into her trash can.