Free Marriage to the Second Degree - Part 1 by Kendra Thomas Page A

to me?”  Her blond hair reflected a slightly orange tint from the dim glow of a nearby streetlight.
    “Because I was hoping you and I could give things another chance.”  Not in the least put off by her frown, he told her what he’d been trying to tell her for the past few weeks.
    Her stance not changing, she stared at him.  “Sawyer, you and I were a disaster together.
    “Not all the time,” he said.  “If I remember correctly there were a few things you and I were very good at.”
    He assumed her resigned sigh was supposed to give him the impression that she found this conversation trying, although her telltale blush told a different story.  She remembered all too well how good they’d been in bed together, even if she was trying to pretend it no longer mattered.
    “You see, this is exactly why I never returned your calls.”  Clearly irritated, although _he suspected it was due more to the nature of their conversation than anything else, she lifted a resigned hand.
    “Why?  Afraid you might admit that you miss me?”
    “No, it’s because you’re impossible.”  As far as insults went, he’d been called worse, and actually that was a lot nicer than he’d expected her to say.  “You need to tell the press you and I aren’t engaged,” she went on.  “I’ve been getting phone calls for a week asking when the big day is, and no one wants to believe that I don’t want to marry you.”
    “Of course they don’t.  Don’t you read the papers?  Apparently I’m quite a catch.”  His attempt to interject a touch of humor into the conversation fell flat as she gazed skyward, the shake of her head decidedly frustrated. 
    “I should have known better than to think I could talk to you,” she muttered, before shoving away from the table.
    Knowing that if he let her walk away now, he may never get another chance to talk to her, he snaked his arm around her waist, and tugged her to a halt. 
    “Mckenzie, I’ll talk to the press if you agree to have dinner with me.”  It had been three years since he had last had his hands on her, and as much as he liked touching her, he doubted she’d let him keep them there.
    “And why would I want to have dinner with you?”  She didn’t look any less mad, but at least she hadn’t pulled away.  Yet.
    “Because I’d like a chance to clear the air.”  He dropped his teasing manner as he wasn’t joking about wanting to give things another shot. 
    Their happily ever after had gotten cut short after she miscarried, and neither of them had known how to be there for the other.  And in her confusion, Mckenzie had called off their wedding.  Blaming each other had been convenient, if not entirely accurate, but he’d wasted enough time regretting his mistakes. 
    “Sawyer.”  Her tone still contained a sizzle of frustration, but he suspected it was no longer just because of the newspaper announcement.  “What’s done is done.  Why can’t we just leave it at that?”
    “Because I made a mistake letting you walk away, and I want to correct that mistake.”  He knew he was going out on a major limb telling her that, and now he was perched so precariously a twitch of a leaf was liable to make him fall, but it would be worth it if she agreed to see him again.  “Have dinner with me.  That’s all I’m asking.  If you still don’t want to see me after that, I’ll leave you alone.”
    A light breeze scattered leaves across the weedy patch of grass, as a cloud played tag with the moon.  Confusion had replaced frustration and anger as the primary emotions in her eyes.  It wasn’t much of an improvement, but confusion at least said she was thinking about agreeing.  Even if she suspected it was a bad idea.
    “And what could either of us possibly say that would make any difference?” she wanted to know.
    “I can think of a few things,” he said, watching the struggle of emotions play across her pretty features.  “Like telling you how much