A Christmas Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

excited about getting dressed up in a tuxedo. The last one he wore was for our wedding.”
     
    “I’m glad I decided to make it a formal event. How often do we get the chance to dress up?”
     
    “Not enough,” Keisha said. The telephone rang and she answered it.
     
    Denise waved goodbye to her and left for her office to check on some last minute details. It also gave her a moment to think over what Dante had told her earlier. He’d mentioned that Trent was lonely and he wanted to know if she was still interested in him. She couldn’t imagine the great and powerful Trent Lansing being lonely. But she didn’t think Dante would risk his friendship with the man if it wasn’t partially true. She entered her office, sat down, and got busy. The hall where the benefit was to be held had been decorated. The invited guests had responded and the entertainment had been locked on. The caterers were cooking and Santa was filling his sleigh with toys. There would be a brief trip to the orphanage for a tour and then all the kids were to be brought to the hall for the annual toy give-away and the visit from Santa. Then the kids would be taken back to the orphanage and the adult party would begin. Dinner would be served first and then the three bands would entertain. Hopefully it would all go off without a hitch.
     
    Denise wondered how the rehearsal was going. She hadn’t heard them play in a while. She decided not to bother them. The next crew of managers should be arriving soon, giving her and Bernard time off to relax before tomorrow. To tell the truth she was really tired and could use the rest. Tomorrow her work day would begin at six and sometime in between work and the benefit, she had to slip off to go to the beautician and have her nails done. Then she still had to do a little shopping and pick up her gown for the benefit. If nothing deterred her, she might get everything done on time. Denise finished up, left her office, and went off to welcome the next crew.
     
    § § §
     
    It was close to midnight when their rehearsal ended. Vince had left first after they put the instruments away and gone in search of his masseuse for his nightly massage.
     
    M. J. had dashed off to his room to rest. Trent smiled. He bet M. J. hadn’t made it past Bernard’s room. That just left him and Dante.
     
    “Do you want to go to the bar for a drink?”
     
    Dante shook his head. “No, man. I’m tired. I think I’m going to call it a night and give Annette a call before I go to sleep.”
     
    “Are you going to invite her down here to spend the holidays?”
     
    Dante shook his head. “She has to work. The airlines are pretty busy this time of year. She told me she’d try to see me before we go on tour.”
     
    Trent didn’t like the sound of this. Dante sounded heart-sick and Trent hoped he wasn’t trying to use Denise as a substitute for Annette to keep his bed warm for the holidays.
     
    “I still plan to have some fun though. It will be like old times, just the six of us.” They walked to the elevator. “Have you gotten a chance to talk with Denise yet?”
     
    Trent nodded. “Yeah.”
     
    They stepped inside the elevator and Dante pushed the button for the top floor.
     
    “Have you had the chance to tell her how you feel about her?”
     
    “Not really. We didn’t talk long. Why?”
     
    “I’m just curious. Boy, has she changed. That body of hers is spectacular.”
     
    Trent frowned. “Stay away from her.”
     
    “What are you talking about?”
     
    “Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve been flirting with her. Don’t confuse her.”
     
    Dante chuckled. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re trying to say. Don’t blame me if you can’t win her back. She and I are just friends. Or have you forgotten that?”
     
    Trent sighed, feeling stupid. “No, I haven’t forgotten, but I don’t remember you ever taking notice of her appearance before. She was just one of the guys to