Sparks Read Online Free PDF Page A

best buds with the old pain in the ass. Used to work for him too. Robin was in here a while back, showing us pictures of his and Miguel’s barbecue.” Kenton put his hands on the counter.
    “It was a blast.”
    “If you ever get that formula to paralyze Tomas’s big mouth, let me know. Would love to see that. Gotta go. Have some customers to serve. Come back again, Bernie. I’ll show you some of Tomas’s favorite pastries. The man has a sweet tooth.” Kenton walked away.
    “I will!” Bernie called.
    “Here you go.” Harper put the pasty box with the store logo into a bag, which also had the logo.
    “I really can’t take that.”
    “Don’t piss off Kenton. He gets growly, and that’s something I don’t need to deal with.” Harper came out through the swinging gate and handed him the bag.
    Bernie took it. Harper walked with him to the door.
    Bernie paused, then said, “Come have movie night.”
    Harper looked startled. “Simon mentioned you all have that. But I don’t want to intrude.”
    “Please. It’s just us hanging out, watching movies. So come on. Don’t want me to get growly. It’s not a pretty sight,” Bernie said playfully.
    Harper chuckled. “Wouldn’t want that. Let me check the front and get my bag.”
    Harper walked away. Bernie leaned against a wall close to the door and out of the way. Harper was back in no time. They left the store and headed for Bernie’s condo.
    “So, what are the books you think I should add?” Harper asked.
    Bernie told him, and they talked as they went. Before Bernie knew it, they were at his house, and he led Harper to the living room then left him and went to get them drinks. Settling on the couch next to Harper, Bernie handed him a drink, and then turned on the TV.
    “So when are you and Tomas going to do the deed?”
    Bernie choked on his drink at Harper’s question. Harper patted him on the back. After his coughing was under control, Bernie glanced at him.
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Please. After that show last night, everyone is expecting you all will be doing it soon. At least, that’s the bet going on.”
    “You heard about our dance?” Bernie flushed.
    “My phone was ringing off the hook when you all got on the floor. And Mackenzie gave me blow-by-blow details of you all getting wicked.”
    Bernie scowled. The Mackenzie, Harper was referring to had to be the owner of Bacchus Sloan. He knew Mackenzie not only from the eatery, but socially. Bernie had met him on the rare times Mackenzie made it to poker, or a few times hanging out with Tomas and his family. You would think the man would have a business to run instead of watching him and Tomas. Bernie sat up as the rest of what Harper had said registered.
    “There’s a bet on us?”
    “Oh, yeah. Down to how long it will be and who will make the first move.” Harper laughed.
    “What’re the stakes?” Bernie pursed his lips.
    “One hundred dollars,” Harper said.
    Bernie leaned back and put his hand in his pocket. Pulling out his wallet, he counted out some money. He put his wallet back and sat up. “Who do I need to give it to?”
    “You’re going to bet on yourself?” Harper sounded shocked.
    “I’m going to bet for never,” Bernie replied.
    “I’ll bet that, too, and give it to Miguel,” Alex said, plucking the money out of Bernie’s hand.
    “When did you get here?” Bernie glanced at him.
    “A little while ago. Long enough to hear Harper blabbing about the bet.” Alex leaned over and kissed Bernie briefly on the lips.
    “Should have known you would be in on the bet.” Bernie swatted at him.
    “You know it.” Alex laughed and dodged away.
    Alex moved over to Harper and kissed him quickly on the lips. Harper blinked, startled.
    “Ignore him. When he’s around me, he likes to act like he’s the ‘kiss fairy’, just to make me blush.” Bernie rolled his eyes.
    “And it always works. I love seeing Bernie blush.” Alex grinned wickedly, touching