Twist of Fate (A Holiday Romance Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page A

we’ve been dating at all.”
    “Really.” The woman turned to her date. “Did you hear that, hon? They’ve only been dating a short time and are already engaged. Isn’t that nice?”
    “Will you stop?” the guy said. “Please?”
    The smile disappeared from her face. “Rod, it’s been two years now. Two! Getting engaged isn’t getting married, you know. It’s just a baby step in that direction.”
    “More like a giant leap,” Rod returned. “And one I’m not willing to take yet.”
    Kenzie shifted in her seat and exchanged an “Are you as uncomfortable as I am?” glance with Ty. His lips twitched, which made her lips start to twitch.
    Again, not good.
    “Do you want to dance?” Kenzie blurted.
    His mouth formed into a smile. “I thought you’d never ask.”
    As Ty took her hand and led her to the outskirts of the dance floor, a live band played an instrumental version of “White Christmas.” In a smooth movement, he pulled her into his arms and held her closer than necessary. Against her better judgment, Kenzie let him. He smelled spicy and masculine, and she felt the urge to rest her head against his chest. She’d almost forgotten how good it felt to be held by someone this way. Maybe it would be okay to let herself enjoy it for just one dance.
    “So that was awkward,” Ty said, referring to the argumentative couple.
    “I blame you.”
    “Me?”
    “If you hadn’t told them we were engaged, she wouldn’t have had a reason to go off like that.”
    “Please,” Ty said. “It was an argument waiting to happen. She pointed out your ring, and then used it as an excuse to bring up her lack of one because she wanted to bring it up. Besides, I never told her we were engaged.”
    “Yes you did.”
    “No, she assumed. I only said that we weren’t married yet, which is the truth. We’re not.”
    “Yet?” Kenzie raised an eyebrow.
    He shrugged. “Who knows, maybe I’ll do the unthinkable and steal you away from your boyfriend. Wouldn’t that be something.”
    Sometimes the way Ty said things made it impossible to tell whether or not he actually meant them. Like now. Although his eyes glinted the way they usually did when he teased, there was an underlying hint of seriousness that made Kenzie wonder. And worry.
    Kenzie patted his lapel. “Or maybe you can wear this same tux to my wedding. You’ll have all the single girls drooling if you do. And everyone knows weddings are the best place to meet people.” Not that Kenzie really wanted him to show up wearing this tux, or flirt with her friends for that matter—which was a problem.
    “I look that good, huh?”
    She nodded, unable to deny it. “You look that good.”
    Ty smiled as he tightened his arms around her, bringing her even closer. “So what kind of a girl do you see me with, anyway?”
    Kenzie lifted her eyes to his as she considered the question. “That’s a tough one,” she said. “Definitely someone who isn’t afraid to challenge your opinions—or you, for that matter. Someone who will appreciate your mad skills with computers and your sense of humor. And someone who will be… well, happy, I guess.”
    “Well of course she’ll be happy,” said Ty. “She’ll be dating me.”
    Kenzie laughed. “True. But while dating you will make her happi er , she should be the type who can be happy all on her own.”
    “You mean like you?” Ty’s green eyes seemed to darken with an intensity Kenzie had never seen before. Her heart beat faster, and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe. What was going on? Was this the result of a night where two people dressed up, left the realm of reality for awhile, and felt things they wouldn’t normally feel? When tomorrow dawned and Kenzie’s hair came down, would Ty still find a reason to look at her that way? Would she want him to?
    The answer to that question had Kenzie breaking free from his hold and taking a step back, out of his arms and away from that look—even though “White