Free Twist of Fate by Jaime Whitley Page B

for the ball on Friday?” Joe stops mid bite and his eyes go wide.
    “I can’t believe I forgot to tell you. My grandma isn’t doing too well, so we are going to go visit her this weekend. Shit, this isn’t good. I could have sworn I asked you to fill in for me at the ball.” I can see the panic start to appear on Joe’s face and know that he’s had a lot on his plate. I knew about his grandmother’s failing health, but he never mentioned anything about the ball. Not that it matters, he is family and I will do whatever I can to help.
    “Oh, that’s right, I forgot. I’m sorry,” I see Joe visibly relax and Declan raise an eyebrow in confusion. “In fact, Declan was so kind as to offer to be my date for the event.” I smile mischievously at him.
    “You two are a life saver. We support this charity every year, and I feel a lot better having someone represent me if I can’t be there,” Joe says, getting up out of his chair, ready to head back to his office.
    “You can thank us with a nice extended weekend off,” Declan yells in Joe’s direction as he is leaving the room.
    “I’m sorry, Declan, he totally forgot to tell me, and well, I just didn’t want to go by myself.”
    “So you’re really not sorry, is what you’re saying,” he jokes. “It’s cool, really. This is good actually; a little retail therapy never hurt anyone. Plus, I’ve never been to a charity ball and I already know we’ll be the best looking couple there. Do you think they have awards for the best dressed couples, or something like that?” He’s overly excited and I’m glad I’m dragging him along with me.
    I laugh and shake my head. “No, I don’t think they do. Now come on, let’s get back to work.”
     
     

Chapter 12
    Silas
    Tonight is the night of the ball and I’m really hoping there is great turn out this year. I’ve supported it ever since I lost my mother to cancer and have been happy to see it grow bigger each year. I have taken Kristin as my date the past two years, and she has grown fond of the event as well.
    Walking up to Kristin’s house, I adjust my bow tie and knock on the door. As soon as she opens the door, I’m taken aback by her beauty. She looks stunning in her long, dark blue dress. She’s wearing the diamond necklace that I got her for last year’s ball, with the matching earrings. “Ready to go?” I ask, stepping in the door and pulling her into a hug. As she fills my arms, I inhale the familiar scent of roses, the scent of her favorite perfume. She leans back and her hands run their way up my back, stopping at the back of my head as she presses her lips against mine, tugging my hair. My pulse starts to quicken and I place the back of my hand on the nape of her neck, brushing my thumb up and down it. I feel her shiver under my touch and my cock instantly hardens. I start to walk us back toward the bedroom as our tongues are dancing around each other, when she puts her hands on my chest to stop me. Our breathing is labored and she wipes under her lips, removing the smudged lipstick.
    “If we keep at it, we’re going to be late. Let me grab my coat and we can be on our way,” she says as she grabs her coat off the hook.
    “Allow me.” I take the coat from her hands and put it on her, placing a kiss on her cheek.
    As we head to the ball, Kristin is telling me about her day at work today. I love hearing her talk about her students and the excitement that fills her voice. She is so kind hearted and the most giving person I’ve ever met. That’s actually one of the things that turns me on about her. She is never lacking compassion. I know she will be a great mother one day. I know she is looking for more, but I’m not sure I can give her the commitment she is looking for. She keeps bringing up taking the next step and I manage to change the subject. I know I can’t avoid it forever, but the longer I have to really think about it, the better.
    We arrive at the hotel where the charity