Read Online The Bookshop on the Corner (A Gingerbread Cafe story) by Rebecca Raisin - Free Book Online Page B

the popsicle and licking it. With his tongue. His perfectly pink tongue. Until that moment I had never realized how a tongue could be so…sexy. Heat flooded me as I watched him enjoy the popsicle. The thoughts that swam through my mind were somewhat risqué, for me.
    “Sarah?” Missy said.
    My head felt leaden as I dragged my gaze to Missy. “Mmm?”
    She lifted a hand to her jaw and mimed closing her mouth. Oh right. My jaw had dropped open somewhat dramatically. I took a deep breath and picked up my popsicle. Focus on the food. Just the food. The flavors were fresh as a summer’s day, but all I could think was…Ridge. Ridge and that no-good tongue of his.
    Tingling, I felt Ridge peering at me. Did he see me staring at him like a fool?
    “You have a little bit…” he leaned close “…here.” He traced my bottom lip with the tip of his finger. And then promptly put it in his mouth. “Tasty,” he whispered, winking.
    Speechless, I dabbed at my mouth with a napkin. And then dropped my hands to my lap. Everyone else was seemingly preoccupied talking about their weekend plans, but I was lost in a bubble. The only thing I could hear or see was Ridge; everything else felt like white noise.
    He clasped my hand under the table, rubbing his finger along mine.
    Oh, boy.
    There was no way I could fall for a fancy-pants reporter from an enormous city, was there?
    ***
    “A date, tomorrow?” Missy said, letting out a squeal of glee.
    Ridge had said his goodbyes after dinner like a true gentleman, giving us all a peck on the cheek. We girls had retired to the front porch, soaking up the moonlight, and pondering life’s great mysteries. Damon and Tommy had skedaddled to watch Friday-night football.
    “A picnic,” I said, and filled them in on what Ridge had proposed. I’d only just managed to get my equilibrium back. Sitting so close to Ridge and all the gamut of emotions had zapped me.
    “Well, I can’t see why you wouldn’t,” Missy said. “He passed our inquisition with flying colors. I don’t think anyone’s ever scored so high on the friend test before.”
    CeeCee said, “Damon came pretty close with Lil, and look how that’s turned out. That Ridge, he’s a keeper, all right.”
    “Oh, girls, please, you forget he’s a journalist,” I said, finally finding my real voice, and not the husky, half-dazed sound I used when Ridge was next to me. “He knows how to grill people under the spotlight — you don’t think that translates into him knowing how to act when the situation is reversed?” Once Ridge wasn’t around, the smidgen of doubt crept back up and tapped me on the shoulder.
    CeeCee shook her head. “Ain’t no one can pass our test, unless they genuine. It’s foolproof. I tell you somethin’ — that boy in love with you. It’s as obvious as icing on a cake.”
    “Sarah, you should have seen the way he was looking at you.” Missy’s voice softened. “Like you were some kind of prize. I found it impossible not to watch him watching you.”
    “He’s smart, and funny, and considerate. Not to mention extremely good-looking. You could do worse.” Lil stopped swinging on the love seat and jumped up. “Let’s toast to new beginnings.”
    I wondered just how often they’d discussed my singledom. The way they were acting you’d think I was about to marry the guy, not go on a harmless picnic.
    “Wait.” CeeCee held up a hand. “Missy hasn’t got a drink. Go on in, Lil, and get her a glass so she can toast, too.”
    Missy grinned at me and shrugged. It was inevitable they’d find out.
    “Hang on, Lil,” Missy said. “I don’t need a glass. I’ll toast with my water.”
    Lil stopped abruptly and surveyed Missy. “Wait a minute, you’re the one who toasts something as simple as the sun coming up, and you’re not—”
    CeeCee cut her off. “She’s pregnant!”
    Missy nodded, and was swept into CeeCee’s arms. Lil embraced them both in a group hug.
    Once everyone settled back on