Lovers by Christmas: Read Online Free PDF Page B

head.
    It was such a unique name, she hoped it rang a bell. The young man gave a short nod, and a knowing smile. “The name’s Rory. Sure. I know Kenner. Why?”
    She gulped her nervousness. “Have you seen him by chance?”
    He straightened, then grabbed a rag, beginning to wipe down the counter. “Who are you again?”
    Uncertain if this was really a good idea, she held her clutch with both hands. “My name is Thea. I was in here with him a couple weeks ago. I was hoping you could give him a message the next time you see him? Please?”
    “Don’t you have his phone number or something?” He looked her up and down dubiously.
    “No. Unfortunately.”
    He seemed to hesitate, but then relented. “Sure. I see him from time to time. What’s the message?”
    “Just that I was here, looking for him.” She reached in her clutch for her tiny notepad and pen that she always carried with her, and scribbled down her phone number. Pleased with the tiny hope Kenner would receive this soon, she placed the paper on the bar.
    Rory glanced at it, then raised his gaze to hers, one brow lifted. “If I see him, I’ll make sure he gets it.”
    She grinned. “I really appreciate it. Thank you.”
    “You know.” He planted his palms on the bar. “I wouldn’t feel that special if I were you. Kenner and I have both taken turns up there.”
    Thea froze, sick to her stomach, her smile fading. “Excuse me?”
    Leaning in, he gave a short nod. “Bringing a woman up to the roof to, uh, check out the view. It’s nice up there, isn’t it?”
    The heat flooded to her face. Not because she was embarrassed about going up there, but red-hot mad at herself for thinking she was unique, and what they’d done was special. Because he’d made her feel both.
    Well, of course she wasn’t the first woman for Kenner to take up on the roof, though she might’ve been the only one to have sex with him on it.
    Rory seemed satisfied that he’d just massacred her opinion about Kenner, grabbing her note with two fingers. “Do you still want to give him the message?”
    She plucked the paper from him before she could think twice. “On second thought, no.”
    Chuckling, he crossed his brawny arms and shook his head. “You aren’t the first woman he’s taken up there, and you probably won’t be the last. I’m telling you this because you seem like a nice, good girl.”
    If only he knew how bad she’d been with Kenner, then he might eat those words. She wanted to thank Rory for doing her a big favor, but couldn’t form the words when despair told hold and wouldn’t let go. “I’m sorry to have taken up your time. Have a good night.” She turned, crumpled the paper in her hand, lifted her chin, and walked out.
    As soon as she was outside, she took a deep, shaky breath, then slowly exhaled. She felt foolish. Gullible. Stupid. That Friday with Kenner had simply been a one-night stand. Perhaps because she didn’t have a lot of experience with those, she’d cultivated feelings out of nothing. Had built up the night in her mind. Combined with her lonesomeness, Christmas around the corner, and the longing to be touched like that again, she’d gone to the lounge when she normally would’ve moved on.
    She wouldn’t have a problem doing that now.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    One week before Christmas…
    “What do you think?” Thea asked her good friend Simon as she made a turn in the living room. “Too sexy for the party?”
    Simon sniffed with a tissue to his nose. He was supposed to be her date for the Mallory’s famous Christmas gala, but had caught a cold. “No way. You’re too sexy for your dress.”
    She was still unsure she should wear the fitted gown she’d chosen weeks ago since receiving the invitation. It was black, covered in red appliqué, with an open v back and a similarly lower v front. But the party called for “elegant, formal” attire and the woman at the store assured her this dress was perfect for such an occasion, boasting that