As though nothing had happened at all.
6
Chapter Six
Three Days Before Christmas
Kenzie took Tucker’s hand as they made their way up the front steps to her friend Taylor’s house. Her stomach took a little tumble when Tucker’s thumb traced her knuckles.
She couldn’t believe she’d kissed him before their public lunch the other day. She also couldn’t get it out of her head. That and the fact that she’d agreed to go home with him for Christmas. Kenzie wasn’t the kind of woman a guy brought home to his mother. Case in point? She’d never been brought home to anyone’s mom.
They stepped through the doorway to a party in full swing. A jazz band played Christmas carols while waiters carried trays of champagne flutes through the black-tie event.
Taylor was a television executive and her home reflected the woman people thought she was—straight lines, severe angles, and a multitude of gray hues. Her friends knew that was all a front and deep down she was pure marshmallow fluff. For Taylor’s annual Christmas soirée, some decorator had added silver to all the gray. Even the Christmas tree was silver—an abstract art piece made of thousands of little mirrors.
Tucker dropped Kenzie’s hand and placed his palm against her back, tethering her to his side. She ignored how his touch warmed her. Well, tried to ignore it. Her body wasn’t having any of that.
“What do you say we have dinner after?” Tucker leaned close, so she could feel his breath against her earlobe.
Kenzie’s stomach rumbled in agreement. “Can’t. I’ve got to pack for our trip to Colorado.”
They left in two days. Truth was, her stylist had already packed for her, but Kenzie needed some time for herself after events like this. Time away from who she wassupposedto be, so she couldjustbe Kenzie. Binge on Netflix and exist in a bubble that didn’t involve anyone but her.
“Thank God you’re here.” Taylor hurried toward them in a silver sequined gown that matched the house. “I’m going to borrow Kenzie for just a moment.”
“Of course.” Tucker dropped his hand.
She immediately missed it.
“Food’s that way.” Taylor gestured toward the spread in her dining room.
Tucker nodded, winked at Kenzie, and headed toward a cluster of guests near the table.
“What’s up?” Kenzie followed Taylor through the crowd toward the patio.
“Okay. Well.” Taylor’s cheeks were flushed. “You know the writing you’ve been doing? The story in Paris? I mentioned it to a friend.”
Kenzie’s blood seemed to thin. Her pulse seemed quicker. Colder.
“What friend?”
“Alex.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Alex wasn’t just a friend. He was the man behind the curtain for most of the movies on Flicker, the latest streaming channel.
“And he loved it,” Taylor continued. “Wanted to know when he can read it.”
Kenzie wasn’t a writer. She was an actress who wrote things down. Occasionally. Nothing serious.
“He can’t.” Kenzie crossed her arms over her chest. “Those screenplays are private. I shared them with you as a friend. Not so you can shop the ideas around.”
“They’re good, Kenz. You need to think about letting someone other than your cat read them.”
“I don’t have a cat.”
“Then my point is even more valid.” Taylor raised her eyebrows.
