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ound to stare at the reflection of herself in theproblems where there aren’t any, aren’t I?”

“Looks that way to me My question is why I know you don’t fall into bed with every guy you date and certainly not after just a couple of dates, but you’ve never had chemistry with anyone the way you do with Lance I could practically feel the electricity zapping between you that night at the Christmas show,” she pointed out “You’ve never been one to create unnecessary drait now?”

True She hadn’t Then again, she never dated anyone very long Not that three dates classified as dating Lance for a long time She’d certainly never dated anyone like Lance Not even close He wasdifferent Not just that he worked with her, but soto contemplate

“You really like him, don’t you?”

At her best friend’s question, McKenzie’s gaze met Cecilia’s in the mirror “What’s not to like?”

Cecilia grinned “What? No argument? Uh-oh This one has you hooked You may decide you want to keep him around”

“That’s what I’m afraid of” Then what? Eventually, he’d be ready to move on and if she werewith soin with

She toyed with a strand of hair still loose fro toand then transforoddess for the hospital Christ?”

“Sure Just call ain “Does that o to the hospital Christmas party with Lance?”

McKenzie nodded She’d just decided that for definite, despite his having mentioned it to her several ti separately, ould be the point other than that stubbornness he’d mentioned?

Lance stared at the cute brunette sitting on a secured chair on the back of a transfer truck flatbed that had been converted into a ht out of a children’s storybook

As was McKenzie with her intricate twisted-up hair with its battery-powered blinkingfor so at her, her elaborate makeup done to include a perky little nose and ear tips, and a red velvet dress fringed hite fur, white stockings and knee-high black boots that had sparkly bows added to them

She fit in with the others on the float as if she’d been a planned part rather than a last-minute addition by the mayor Lance liked her costume best, but admitted he was biased The mayor and his wife stood on a built-up area of the float They waved at the townspeople as the floatthe parade route

“Tell ht of your year”

“Okay This isn’t the highlight ofcandy to the kids they passed “Thank you for bringing candy How did you know?”