Silence: The Faces of Evil Christmas Prequel Read Online Free Page A

her first and only love in Publix when she looked her absolute worst.
    Determination surged, chasing away all those other frustrating emotions. She would not permit an up close encounter with the past to make a fool of her.
    She opened her mouth to say something witty then snapped it shut. He was staring at her. She might have been offended except he was smiling. Much to her irritation, her entire being reacted to that gorgeous smile. And those incredible blue eyes. No man had a right to look that good. His dark hair was a little longer. He hadn’t shaved in days and still he took her breath away.
    She should have gone for another of those psych evaluations instead of coming here. Maybe even paid attention.
    Dan shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
    That was a cue for her to speak. Where was all that bravado now, Jess? “I’m headed to my sister’s,” she blurted. “For Christmas.”
    Just die right here and now . Of course she was here for Christmas and headed to her sister’s. Why oh why did she have to embarrass herself in front of him of all people?
    More of that thick, consuming silence lapsed between them with him staring at her as if he didn’t know what to say next.
    She certainly didn’t. She’d said too much already.
    Years ... she hadn’t seen Daniel Burnett in almost ten years. Yet, he looked exactly the same, maybe better. He’d filled out a little. Broad shoulders looked even broader in that navy suit jacket. The tee shirt beneath gave a nice preview of just how well he’d kept in shape. Jeans hugged the rest of him. She wasn’t even going there.
    No question about it, thirty-something looked good on him.
    Thirty-something, on the other hand, had done nothing kind for her. She rarely found time for the gym. Forgot to eat more often than not. He was probably staring at her trying to figure out what happened to the cute blond he used to know.
    You’re not supposed to care, Jess . Except she did.
    “Oh man.” He gave his head a little shake as if he was still having trouble believing his eyes. “I’ll have to thank my mother tomorrow.”
    “Your mother?” Confusion, then disdain marred Jess’s brow before she could stop it. Katherine Burnett had always hated her. Always . From her first date with Dan, his mother had decided Jess wasn’t good enough for her only son.
    “She makes a sweet potato casserole every year for Christmas dinner,” he explained, “but this year she forgot one essential ingredient.” He held up a clear plastic bag containing four large sweet potatoes. “I almost forgot to stop. And here you are.”
    Somehow she kept her smile in place while her lips tried their level best not to tremble. “Here I am.”
    “This might sound crazy,” he began, “but... we really need to catch up. Have a drink or something.”
    Panic tightened around her throat, cutting off her ability to breathe and reminding her it was still raw from last night. “Lil’s expecting me.”
    Could her voice sound any shakier? Not to mention she’d already told him she was headed to her sister’s.
    “An hour.” Dan reached for her basket. “I haven’t seen you in forever.” His fingers brushed hers as he took the load from her. She trembled in spite of her best efforts. “Come on, Jess. Lil will understand. Just one hour. For old time’s sake.”
    If he hadn’t looked so sincere... if her brain hadn’t gone to mush... maybe she might have been able to marshal up a no rather than going with what could surely only be morbid curiosity.
    “Sure.” She swallowed at the massive lump of unstable emotions in her throat. “For old time’s sake.”
    That breath-stealing smile of his was nearly enough to banish all the reasons this was a colossal mistake. You are in serious trouble here, Jess .
    As he ushered her toward the row of checkout lines at the front of the store, she kept her lips sealed tight to hold back the bout of hysterical laughter building inside her.
    It was a