Beauty's Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page B

better. He wanted a bright, healthy, happy future as much as she wanted it for him.
    Before she could think of something to say, Doug texted again. But I’ll survive. I’ll make it work. I want to get through this so I can come live with you.
    Her eyes burned and her throat swelled closed. Taylor texted him back. Me, too.
    Will I still see you this weekend?
    Wouldn’t miss it.
    Nite, Tay.
    Night, hon.
    She slid her phone into the pocket of her robe, conscious that Troy was watching her, and had been watching her the entire time she’d texted back and forth with Doug. “Everything’s fine,” she said.
    “No emergency?” Troy asked.
    She managed a small smile. “Emergency averted.”
    “That’s good.”
    “Yep.” She held her smile and yet on the inside she was troubled and tired and worried but she kept that to herself. She missed Doug. She hated only being able to see him on weekends, for a couple hours on Sunday. It was the only time the program allowed the men to have visitors. It was hard for Doug, too, to have so little contact with family. He was still young. He needed family and support. “Thank you,” she said, meaning it. “I know it’s a long drive, late at night, in terrible conditions.”
    “Happy to help.” Troy reached into his coat pocket for his car keys. “So how are you going to get to work tomorrow?”
    “Kara’s dropping me off.”
    “Is she also going to help you get a rental car?”
    Taylor nodded. “On my lunch.”
    “Good. Sounds like you have everything in control.”
    “Kara’s good at that.”
    “I’d imagine.”
    Taylor walked him to the front door, chewing on the inside of her bottom lip, screwing up her courage to let Troy know she wouldn’t be going to the Valentine Ball. Just say it. Just say it. Just get it over with.
    “Troy,” she said, as he reached for the door knob. “About the Ball Friday night.”
    He’d started to turn the knob but he released it and faced her. “Yes?”
    He was so tall, so big, and movie star handsome that for a moment her mind went blank. For a moment she just stared at him, dazzled.
    And then she blinked, and the moment passed, and she remembered why he was in town, and how the big Ball was in just four days.
    “I can’t go with you,” she said quickly, blurting the words before she could change her mind. “And I wanted to let you know now, so you’d have time to find another... date.”
    Troy didn’t immediately speak. His jaw firmed and his dark blue gaze met hers. “Something came up?”
    Taylor thought of all the different excuses she could give him—her brother needed her, she had a library conference to attend out of town, her parents would be in town—but she didn’t think it was fair to lie to him, especially not after he’d done her two favors.
    He’d been quite the gentleman. She owed him the truth.
    “I’m not a black-tie formal event kind of girl,” she said. “And I’m happy serving on the Wedding Giveaway committee, and selling tickets, but I never wanted to go to the Ball. Unfortunately, Jane can be stubborn and doesn’t really listen.” Taylor’s voice dropped, deepening. “I’m sorry if I’m leaving you in the lurch, but honestly, there are so many women who’d probably love to go to the Ball with you, and now... one of them can.”
     

     
    Troy drove to the hotel bemused.
    The little mouse had just rejected him.
    She didn’t want to go to the Ball, and she definitely didn’t want to go with him.
    Troy wasn’t sure how to react. He was so used to women chasing him, pursuing him, wanting him, that it was a bit... surprising... and intriguing... to meet a woman who didn’t seem to want him.
     

     
    The next morning an exhausted Taylor drank two cups of coffee with a piece of toast before bundling up and setting off to walk to work, hoping the frigid morning and exercise would help her clear her head.
    She hadn’t slept well. And when she did sleep, she dreamed she was wearing this