Connected (Twists of Fate #1) by Jolyn Palliata Read Free Book Online Page A

regret, but he didn’t pursue it further.
    Thankfully.
    So what’s on the docket for tonight? Should we watch a flick? What’s out now? We have to do something while we wait for Xavier to hit us back. And let me tell ya, this wait is gonna drive me fucking insane. Hey, I’ll even let you pick out some shitty chick-flick. Ya know, ‘cause I’m such a nice guy.
    Addison cringed, full well knowing she couldn’t delay the inevitable any longer.
    She had managed to hide her reaction yesterday morning when she got the email from Jonathan, and had kept Rhys blocked as she stumbled through sending her subsequent confirmation. She was grateful for the ability to block him, but there was no way she could maintain it throughout the night. Not without a slip-up here and there. And that could get ugly.
    Fast.
    “Um…I have plans for tonight.”
    Oh, yeah? What’s up?
    She shut off the water and grabbed a towel, drying off while privately considering how to answer him.

    “Just going out.”
    That seemed casual enough, didn’t it? No need to get into any details. After all, it wasn’t like it was any of his business.
    She really should have known better.
    And by going out, you mean… When she didn’t fill in the blank, he did. With friends, right?
    Other chicks?
    “Not exactly.” She ditched the towel and wrapped in a robe before heading to her bedroom.
    What gives?
    Sighing, she decided she should just tell him. He was going to figure it out anyway. “I have a date.”
    You have a fucking what?
    “A date.” She grimaced, then wiped the expression away. It was none of his business how she spent her time. “You have a problem with that, Rhys?” Ah, yeah. I have a big fucking problem with that. You can’t go on a date. His tone was unyielding, as if he had the right to tell her what to do.
    He couldn’t have picked a worse way to approach it.
    Feeling the challenge, she shot back, “And why the hell not?” You’re injured. He said it simply, as if it explained everything.
    She tried to shirk off her irritation as she strode towards her closet.
    Was he really concerned about her wellbeing, or just messing with her? She assumed the safer reasoning of concern. Safer for him, that is.
    “I’m fine,” she insisted. “Besides, dating doesn’t always equate to sex, Rhys. I understand this is a different reality than being a rock star, but really. I think I’m perfectly capable of sitting in a restaurant without hindering my recovery.”
    When did you make this… date ? He spit out the last word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
    I don’t remember you planning it. Were you blocking me again?
    “No, you paranoid psycho. I made the date before I even met you, okay?” Guilt nagged at her nerves.
    Paranoid, huh?
    Aw, hell. “Okay, so I blocked you when I sent him an email yesterday, but that was it.” She continued shifting through her dresses, sliding one after another across the closet rack as she decided against them.
    I see, he muttered. So…what? This is a blind date? A first date? I mean, the deadbeat hasn’t been around yet so he’s obviously not your man. Shit, the fucker didn’t even send you flowers or anything. Or did he?
    She tried to ignore him as she threw her hands up—half in frustration at Rhys, half in annoyance of not having anything to wear.
    But there was no way silence was going to shut him up.
    Right? he prodded, actually pushing at their link so she felt the mental poke.
    “You are seriously five years old,” she accused, flipping back through all her dresses. “And it’s a third date, if you must know. I met him when I took the fiftieth anniversary photos of his grandparents.”
    Aww, how sweet, he gushed, his tone sour.
    “What the hell do you care anyway?”
    There was a beat of silence before he said, I don’t.
    “Then let’s drop it, okay?”
    Fine by me.
    “And stop pouting.” She could feel his mental huff, so she knew he was doing exactly that.
    And the fact he