The Christmas Tree Guy by Railyn Stone Read Free Book Online Page A

she looked to her right and noticed a familiar face. The same disarming dimpled face from the tree lot and the elevator at the hospital caught her off guard and she could do nothing but grin. Shyly, she looked away and walked back to her booth.
    “Uh oh. What’s that look about?”
    “I’m starting to think he really is stalking me.” Sydnee sat down and looked across the room. “This is beginning to get weird. He’s everywhere I go.”
    “Who?”
    “The Christmas tree guy.” Sydnee answered, using Travis’s description of Quinn.
    “He’s here?” Sydnee watched Sara survey the crowd for a chance to catch a glimpse of ‘The Christmas Tree Guy.’ “I’m excited. Now I finally get to meet this little cub and see what he looks like.”
    “Stop it. He’s here on a date.” Sydnee was surprisingly nervous, and a little giddy. She couldn’t understand why a complete stranger had this kind of effect on her. Yes, he was handsome, but he was also much too young for her. Why was she constantly thinking about him, and what was going on with running into him everywhere?
    “Uh-oh, you snooze, you lose huh? Do I detect a bit of jealousy?”
    “No. I told you, he’s younger and he should date females his own age.” Sydnee shook her head, unconsciously wiping the table with her napkin.
    “Well, at least you know you having kids wouldn’t run him off like the guys you met earlier tonight.”
    “Whatever.”
    “I’m just saying.”
     
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    “So, I was like, how can you be that rude,” McKenzie continued, droning on and on. Somehow Quinn had managed to tune her out as soon as they sat down, and her voice reminded him of the muffled underwater sounds of a motorboat engine. She had talked nonstop from the time he and JJ picked her and Kate up for their double date. Why did he let his cousin get him into these things? McKenzie was beautiful, but she never stopped talking. He hadn’t said two words since they sat down and she hadn’t even noticed. He was just about to ask JJ if there was any way they could end the date soon, when he looked up and saw Sydnee cutting through the crowd. Her red satin blouse contrasting with her smooth caramel skin and the black hip hugging skirt made him instantly jealous of the fabric. Lewd and lascivious thoughts ran through his mind at the sight of the ankle wrap black stilettos she wore, accentuating her toned legs. Her sable hair fell straight around her shoulders and he had a sudden urge to splay his fingers through the silky mass. When he looked up, their eyes met and his heart slammed against his chest at the vision of her quickly biting her lower lip before grinning and walking away. His gaze escorted her through the club and back to the table she shared with another woman. Any other girl would’ve noticed him staring, but McKenzie just kept talking.
    “Uh, McKenzie, do you want another drink or something?” Quinn interrupted, knowing it was the only way he would get a word in edgewise.
    “Oh, no, I’m good.”
    “Well, I’ll be right back.” Before she could start up again, Quinn left her to tell JJ and Kate her story. He quickly walked away from the table and headed towards the bar all the while glancing in Sydnee’s direction as he maneuvered through the crowd.
     
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    “Oh. My. Word. Syd, that’s him isn’t it?” Sydnee followed Sara’s gaze to see a young gorgeous man walking to the bar and she immediately turned away.
    “What? Uh, what are you talking about?” Sydnee ducked her head shyly, before taking a deep breath and turning to rest her eyes on the man in question. It was hard for her to resist staring at him and she could tell he knew it by the slick grin plastered on his face. Her face burned and she would have sworn she was going through ‘the change’ by the amount of heat coursing through her body. She quickly turned her attention back to Sara, hoping he would stop boring a hole through her with those unbelievable eyes.
    “Oh come