Petite Madeleine: Drew's Story (Meadows Shore Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

elegant garden. But one thing at a time. Why are you smiling? I’m being too indulgent with my fantasies, aren’t I?”
    “No. I was just picturing you as a little girl with a big floppy hat, licking icing off your fingers. I think it sounds wonderful. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be caught dead in a place with all the feminine frills you’re describing.”
    “Is that so? You couldn’t be enticed, huh? Not even by a decadent pastry?” Her eyes glittered, and that sassy tone was back, laced with a bit of playful flirtation this time, making him acutely aware of how much he wanted her.
    “Oh, I can think of ways I might be enticed. Many of them decadent, but very few involving pastry.” His eyes met hers and she looked away, pretending to brush a crumb from the table.
    “Cass, why did you need the Mediterranean sun to heal you?”
    The color drained from her face, and he wished he could take back his words. And although he wanted an answer, he reached for hand and squeezed, “You don’t need to tell me. Not tonight.”
    Just then the waiter brought the check, making it a little less obvious that she didn’t answer. That she had no intention of answering his question. Ever .
    She let him take her hand again as they left the restaurant. “Want to walk a little?” he asked, hoping for another few minutes with her.
    “I need to be at the bakery very early. Otherwise I’ll have irate customers beating down the door.”
    “Where are you parked? I’ll walk you to your car.”
    “You don’t need to. I’m just around the corner.”
    He stopped and put his finger to her soft, full lips. “I want to.” Because I’m nowhere near ready to let you go.
    He slowed his pace and inhaled deeply. “I leave tomorrow.” He should have left tonight with the team, but she didn’t need to know that. “I’d like to call you, and have dinner again.”
    “Let’s plan on dinner the next time the team’s in town.”
    “That’s the middle of the summer. Cassie…”
    “Drew, it’s been a long time. There’s so much water under the bridge. You can’t go home again.”
    “You were always an optimist. I can’t believe you’re resorting to bad clichés to push me away.”
    She chuckled softly. “Really bad clichés.”
    He brushed the hair away from her face with the back of his hand, before sliding it under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’d like to see you again, soon. Tell me you’ll answer when I call.”
    After a few nerve-wracking moments, she nodded.
    “Not very convincing from a woman named after the goddess of unrequited love.”
    “Anteros was a God.”
    “But Cassie is a goddess. Always has been, always will be.”
    “Good night, Drew,” she said taking a small step back. “Thank you for dinner.”
    He moved toward her and lowered his head to place one chaste kiss on her forehead, right at the hairline. Not the kiss he wanted to give her, but one he thought she might accept. But when he leaned in, she put her hand on his chest and stepped back.
    And while he watched her drive off, he was still clutching his heart, the very place she’d touched when she pushed him away.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Cassie slipped into Lola’s bright and early the next morning, turned on the music, and got right to work. The sun was up when she placed the last of the tartlets in the oven. Normally, she loved the quiet of the early mornings, but today she longed for noise, chatter—any distraction to get her out of her head, pry her away from thoughts of Drew.
    Coming face-to-face with him again had left her reeling. Made her painfully aware of how much she pined for him. How much she missed him. In truth, she’d already known. It was just that it had been easier to pretend she was over him when he wasn’t standing close enough for his breath to warm her skin.
    Her days were busy, with little time for whimsy, but at night, when she was alone in her bed, she allowed herself to daydream. Her mind almost