A Fool's Gold Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

crowd. Girls only brunch. You’ll love it. It’s a great chance to meet everyone. Just be careful. The champagne goes down way too easy. Last year I had to call my grandfather to drive me home. I vowed I wasn’t touching the stuff this year and I’m holding myself to that. Oh, it’s on a local channel that starts the replay at nine our time. Just so you don’t freak out and think you have to get up too early.”
    Evie heard a crash in the background.
    Heidi gasped. “I think that was my new batch of cheese. I gotta run. Save the date.”
    The phone went silent.
    Evie slowly pushed the end button, then replaced the phone in her bag and set the bag in the bottom drawer. As far as Heidi was concerned, Evie had just accepted both invitations. Calling back to say no would mean answering questions and coming up with a reason why she wasn’t joining the only people she knew in a town she’d just moved to. Talk about awkward.
    In truth, she didn’t mind spending time with her brothers. With new wives and fiancées hanging around, Evie should find it easy enough to avoid her mother.
    She glanced at the clock on the wall, then walked to the stairs. Once she was on the main floor, she stepped into her brother’s offices and moved toward Dante’s desk. He was staring at his computer screen but glanced up as she approached.
    “Hey,” she said. “I wanted to warn you that tonight there’s more clog dancing. No tap classes until tomorrow. Ballet the rest of the time. Ballet is quieter. Except for the music. But you seem to have this thing against the clog girls, so I’m letting you know in advance.”
    Dante sat at his desk, his blue eyes fixed on her, the oddest expression on his face.
    “What?” she demanded, raising her hands to her head to make sure her braids were tightly in place.
    He swore under his breath. “Is it legal?”
    “Clog dancing? The last time I checked.”
    He opened his mouth, then closed it. “What you’re wearing.”
    She glanced down at herself. She had on black tights and a leotard. It was exactly what she wore nearly every day of her life. Scuffed ballet shoes covered her feet. Later, she would put on toe shoes to demonstrate some steps, but she wasn’t going to walk around in them. She found that awkward and, okay, a little pretentious.
    She pulled at the stretchy material. “It’s worn, I’ll admit, but I’m dressed.”
    Dante glanced around, as if checking to see who was watching them. As far as Evie could tell, everyone else was busy with work.
    “You’re practically naked.”
    She laughed. “I’m fully covered.”
    “Technically. But…” He waved his hand up and down in front of her body. “Shouldn’t you put on a coat?”
    She didn’t understand. “Because why?”
    “You’re distracting.”
    “Really?”
    “Look around. Do you see anyone else wearing an outfit like that?”
    “It’s not office wear.”
    He seemed a little glazed and frantic. For a second she allowed herself to believe he found her sexy. Wouldn’t that be nice?
    “You’re killing me,” he muttered.
    She smiled. “That’s so lovely. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. Oh, the guy at the hardware store called me about the set.”
    “What? Why would he call you?”
    “Because Charlie told him to. She has this idea that you don’t know squat about construction.”
    “I don’t, but it’s my responsibility anyway.” She was going to make sure her students weren’t disappointed.
    “Yeah, well, now I’m going to help, too. I thought we could go look at the sets together, and I’ll put together a list of what needs doing.”
    She took a step back. “No, thanks. I appreciate the offer, but no.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because, um, you’re busy.” Lame, but it was better than the truth. She wasn’t willing to risk getting sucked in. Dante was pretty tempting. Handsome, funny, interesting. Sexy. Hard to resist.
    “Why not?” he repeated.
    She sighed. “You’re my brother’s business