Free Sleigh Ride Together with You by Joann Durgin Page B

wouldn’t let him down.
     
     
     
     

10
     
    “I’ve had a lot of burgers around the country, and I have to say, this Zombie Burger’s pretty great. Ranks right up there with the best.” Alex eyed her as he drained his iced tea. “How’s your burger? What’s it called again? Dawn of the Dead?”
    Nicole leaned over the basket, hoping her burger hadn’t dribbled on her blouse. She’d given up trying to be dainty five bites ago. At least the dim lighting in the restaurant should hide a host of food stains. “Dawn of the Dead was my runner-up. This one’s called They’re Coming to Get You, Barbara. It’s delicious but…very juicy.” She grabbed her napkin and dabbed at her mouth. “Want to try my Cookie Monster’s Revenge? It’s delicious.”
    “What?” Clamping both hands over his ears, Alex scrunched his features into a comical frown. The music was loud—as in pulsating, head-banging loud—in the popular East Village theme restaurant. Lowering his hands, he laughed. “This is one of those places where my grandpa would say he couldn’t hear himself think. Did you offer me a taste of your milkshake? If so, hand it over. Don’t mind if I do.”
    Alex smiled as he took it from her. “I’m hoping it’ll wash down that disgusting fried Brussels sprout. I can’t believe you talked me into trying one. No matter what anyone says, deep frying something doesn’t necessarily make it palatable. My mother would love you for trying, though.”
    After taking a quick drink, Alex thanked her and handed the milkshake back across the table. When their fingers touched, Nicole felt a rush of adrenaline. This did feel like a date, better than any “real” date she’d ever had.
    “You’re welcome, Professor Higgins.”
    Holding up one hand, he smirked. “You’re only allowed to call me that if you speak with a Cockney accent and answer to the name Eliza Doolittle. Where’d you hear that anyway?”
    “Actually, I didn’t. Colin did a search on his phone before you and I talked last night at the party. He told me about the image-maker nickname.”
    “My official title is Vice President, but the network has like a hundred of them. Truthfully, I’m more or less a glorified human resources specialist, although I’m sometimes called upon to spruce up someone’s image. Tell them how to walk, how to dress, that sort of thing. I don’t enjoy that part of the job, to be honest. That’s not why I’m here with you, Nicole. You’ve got that part down and need no help from anyone.”
    She’d assumed most network honchos would be rather stuffy, much older, and lack the humor gene. Alex might be the new breed of network executive, but she wondered if he ever butted heads with the old school executives in trying to persuade them to adopt newer methodologies. From what she knew, trying to do so might prove to be a fruitless, uphill climb.
    “Who’s the guy in the mural on the wall? If he’s a zombie, he looks pretty good compared to the ones over there.” Alex angled his head toward a mural of a street scene filled with undead characters.
    Nicole followed his gaze and smiled. “That’s George Formano. He’s a well-known chef and restaurateur here in Des Moines. He founded some of the city’s most popular eateries. Zombie Burger combines two of his passions—horror movies and hamburgers.”
    “Well, this place is a lot of fun,” Alex said. “Thanks for bringing me here. Great idea. What do you say we play the getting to know you game? Sixty seconds or less. Learn as much as you can about the other person.”
    “Sounds interesting.” Nicole returned his infectious grin. “I’m game.”
    “The rule is that anything goes. Unless you’re not comfortable with that.” He raised a brow as though offering a challenge.
    She wrinkled her nose in mock disdain. “Speak for yourself. I have nothing to hide. No skeletons or hidden closets for this girl. You might as well go first to show me how it’s