The Bookshop on the Corner (A Gingerbread Cafe story) Read Online Free PDF Page B

married off any minute. And men from out of town were a big no. No matter how ruggedly handsome, and sexy smelling, and funny, and flirty, and downright edible, and—
    “Shame, you would have made an excellent subject.”
    “Yes, a frightful shame. A very good morning to you. Good day.” Oh, dear, I’d gone from bumbling romantic to posh Londoner. I fought the urge to laugh at my awkwardness. Once Ridge was gone, I was meeting Missy at the Gingerbread Café. I’d replay my woes to her and the girls and see what they made of it. And I’d eat my weight in chocolate while I was there.
    He tapped the top of the counter, and gave me a questioning look. “People don’t usually say no to me.”
    “Is that so?” He looked truly baffled at my rejection. I guessed big shots like him always got their way. “You know what they say: every no brings you one step closer to a yes. Try someone else.” I smiled benignly.
    “You are one in a million, Sarah,” he replied, grinning. “Here’s my card, in case you change your mind, or if you want a tour of New York one day.”
    I looked under my lashes at him — because that was what girls did in books when they weren’t sure how to act — and took the proffered card. “Nice to meet you, Ridge.”
    “I’ll be back.” He winked, and walked out into the sunlight.
    Once he’d gone I tried to pretend that the last ten minutes weren’t something extraordinary in my habitually quiet life.

Chapter Four
    “You said what?” CeeCee screeched, her forehead wrinkling.
    I shrugged, and fell back into the softness of the couch. “He made me feel a little unhinged, demented even, so I just kind of said, well, that New Yorkers were a little shallow. I didn’t actually use the word shallow…”
    CeeCee slapped her leg, and let out a guffaw. “Oh, Sarah, good Lord, you don’t see what he seein’! He was probably tryin’ to ask you on a date, and you mock him over livin’ in a big city?”
    “I suggested a few self-help books — that’s all. Is that bad?” I covered my face with my hands.
    CeeCee hemmed and hawed to herself. “Lotsa people have long-distance relationships these days, you know. There’s that Spacebook, and Tweeter…”
    I giggled at CeeCee, and nodded. “Ah, yes, Spacebook, of course. And long-distance relationships? I think you’re jumping the gun somewhat, Cee! I am not interested in him, at all.” No siree, Bob. Zilch, nip, nada. But the visions of his man crease…
    Lil wandered over with a tray of drinks. The Gingerbread Café was empty of customers after the lunch rush. I’d waited for it to slow down before I wandered over from the bookshop, leaving a ‘Back in Ten’ sign on my door.
    “So,” Lil said, plonking down next to me. “You must admit he’s one fine specimen of a man.”
    Laughter barreled out of us. “He’s too good-looking. And he knows it.”
    CeeCee groaned and patted my knee. “You know, Ridge asked an awful lotta questions ’bout you. Seems he came to the chocolate festival way back when, and
suddenly
he’s back again today. All he wanted to talk about was the girl from the corner bookshop…”
    Lil nodded in agreement. “I got the feeling the article was a ruse. I think he’s smitten with our resident book-lover.”
    I gave her a playful shove. “Oh, please. He’s just nosy — it’s the reporter in him.”
    CeeCee tried to stare me down with this arched-eyebrow thing she does. “Nosy? I don’t think I’d call it nosy — more like infatuation.”
    “How could he be infatuated with someone he doesn’t even know, Cee?” I smiled. “Nope, that man is one hundred per cent New Yorker, you mark my words. He’s after something, and it isn’t me.”
    Lil harrumphed and leaned into me, nudging my ribs. “Are you free Friday night?”
    I rolled my eyes. “No, I have a hot date with my book boyfriend. Why?”
    “Damon and I are having a little dinner party to try out some recipes for the new catering menu, and