The Heavenly Baker Read Online Free PDF Page A

other.
    â€˜Children,’ mutters Matt with a shake of his head and turns his attention back towards me.
    I feel a glow inside and it’s not because of the alcohol, though the numerous pairs of female eyes trying to burn me to the ground with the intensity of their staring I find amusing. He is looking at me and it’s not the look of polite, social interest. No, the look he’s giving me is setting off all the right alarms deep inside. This is interesting. I remember this: the frisson of banter, the lingering looks, the promise of more. Yes, I do remember this. It may be time to dust off my low-mileage A-game.
    â€˜So, my appearance didn’t go too badly, then?’ I ask, allowing the beer bottle to linger near my lips. I know what I’m doing. I’ve done this before.
    â€˜No, it wasn’t too shoddy,’ admits Matt.
    â€˜Praise indeed.’ Bradley laughs. ‘Don’t overdo it, will you, Matthew!’
    Matt glances at Bradley with raised eyebrows.
    â€˜He hates being called Matthew,’ explains Laura.
    â€˜I’m only Matthew when I’m in trouble,’ clarifies the Heavenly Baker.
    â€˜So you should be used to being called it by now,’ persists Bradley.
    â€˜How many have you had?’ Laura asks with a shake of her head.
    â€˜Clearly I’m on fire here,’ replies Bradley.
    â€˜Don’t tempt me!’ warns Matt.
    â€˜You can’t,’ says Bradley. ‘This is a crowded bar. There are witnesses.’
    â€˜I assure you no one will see anything,’ replies his tormentor.
    â€˜You’re not that famous!’ goads Bradley and then puts a hand to his mouth. ‘That just slipped out.’
    â€˜Don’t you have to be somewhere, Bradley?’ asks the Heavenly Baker.
    â€˜No,’ he replies, shaking his head. ‘That’s later.’
    â€˜It is later,’ explains Matt.
    Bradley looks at his watch then pulls a face. ‘Shit! I’m late!’ Downing his beer, he sets the empty bottle on the table. ‘It’s been a pleasure, country girl. I hope to see you before you depart the mighty metropolis. If not, take it easy. Adiós !’ Like a human tornado, he parts the bar crowd and disappears. Laura shakes her head and then reaches for her bag.
    â€˜Where are you going?’ asks Matt.
    â€˜Is it a hot date?’ I chime in.
    â€˜A lady never tells,’ replies Laura teasingly.
    â€˜You’re going on a date?’ says Matt. ‘Who is it? I’ll get them checked out.’
    â€˜You would.’ Laura doesn’t sound surprised.
    â€˜I totally would.’
    â€˜Which is why I’m not telling you anything,’ she insists.
    â€˜That’s not playing fair.’ Matt pouts.
    â€˜No one said anything about playing fair,’ says Laura. ‘You never play fair.’
    â€˜That’s a terrible slander!’ he retorts. ‘I always play fair.
    â€˜Does he?’ I ask.
    â€˜He does,’ says Laura. ‘But I really am going now. It’s been a pleasure, country girl.’ She stops herself. ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to …’
    â€˜It’s fine,’ I say. I kind of like it. ‘I’ve been called a lot worse.’
    â€˜Me too, but that doesn’t make it right.’
    â€˜Really, it’s OK.’
    â€˜Take care and I’ll see you soon and thank you for coming.’
    â€˜Thank you for inviting me.’
    She leans over and hugs me and whispers in my ear, ‘I can fix it.’
    â€˜You don’t have to do that,’ I whisper back.
    â€˜It’s no trouble,’ she whispers. ‘You just say the word and it’s done.’
    â€˜OK,’ I whisper back.
    Laura releases her hold on me. ‘Get her back safely and no funny business. I like her.’
    â€˜I like her too,’ says Matt.
    I feel those butterflies fluttering in the depths of my soul. This is