Cinderella's Billion-Dollar Christmas

Not in a million years. “Then let’s get you some food.”

Outside the hotel, at a time of day when the avenue should have been dark, it was lit by hundreds of thousands of lights from jumbotrons, video advertisements, scrolling newsfeeds and storefronts. Leni looked up and down the street, her curiosity and wonder evident on her face.

Nick suddenly understood why Danny had put her in Times Square. The place was filled with tourists and her interest blended with the curiosity of the people around her. Even if she couldn’t control her reactions, she didn’t stand out. Half the people on the sidewalk were gawking in awe at the lights and videos and shops.

“I hope you like Italian food.”

Her eyes widened. “I love it.”

“Great.” He motioned to his driver that they were going to walk and headed down the street to the left. “I know a wonderful place. It’s low-key. A favorite hangout of visitors to the city, most of whom are going to a Broadway play.”

She huddled against the cold, sinking into her jacket, but her eyes were big, taking in everything in the exciting city he barely noticed anymore.

He slowed his pace, let her enjoy the walls of advertisements on the buildings, the vendors, the Christmas shoppers, and the cacophony of sounds from people and taxis and buses.

Seeing the city through her eyes, he felt the rhythm of it. The movement of tourists and vehicles in the brisk night air, all lit by thousands of colored lights.

The crowd thinned as they drifted away from Times Square. In another block they were at the restaurant. He gestured for her to walk down the black iron steps and opened the door for her when they reached the bottom.

Warmth hit him immediately, along with the shift in noise from a busy street to a crowded bar. After a clerk checked their coats, the hostess led them to a table in the middle of the dining area. The waiter poured wine for sampling. Nick almost told him it would be fine but realized he didn’t even know if Leni liked wine. Mark had been someone who drank tequila with a beer chaser. Of course, her father hadn’t been around to influence her decisions.

“Is wine okay?”

“Are you kidding? Wine would be great about now.”

The waiter grinned, poured two glasses and scurried away, leaving them to read the menus.

She took a slow sip of the wine and savored. “This is fabulous.”

He loved the way her eyes closed as she enjoyed her sip and slowed himself down as he took another taste from his glass. It was fabulous. “I think you’re having a fabulous night.”

She snickered. “That’s pretty cocky of you to say.”

“It’s not me. It’s you. You said you looked fabulous and I looked fabulous and now the wine is fabulous.”

“Sometimes fabulous really is the only word.”

He shrugged, but she was right. He’d known it when he took the time to savor the wine. He might not put himself or his clothes in the fabulous category, but her in that dress, with her green eyes and red lips? She was fabulous.

“Anything you recommend?”

He glanced up and saw her studying the menu. “Any of their pasta is—” he grinned “—fabulous.”

She laughed. “You do have a sense of humor.”

“No. I just took advantage of your love of fabulous.”

“Nick?”

His brain stalled at the sound of his mother’s voice, but he quickly gathered his wits and rose. “Mom!”

Leni glanced up at the pretty blonde with perfect makeup, wearing a bright blue dress, standing next to an older version of Nick. His mom and dad?