Come On Closer Read Online Free Page A

cake-decorating business, and Shane knew that since Larkin had strict limits for what she’d take on, she directed a lot of people Gina’s way. The two women were very friendly, from what he knew. But that was a wall he ran up against pretty often—he might have figured out plenty about Larkin’s personality, but her personal life? He knew almost as little as he had when they’d first met. It was a neat trick, seeming so open while managing to be so private.
    An odd look flickered across Larkin’s face, vanishing almost as quickly as it had appeared . . . but there was something fierce about it that surprised Shane. “Gina’s not mean,” she said. “She’s a sweetheart.” Then she turned the full force of her smile on him, and it was like being blasted with sunshine while she deftly changed the subject. “You’re right about the bakery, though. I have a short attention span.”
    â€œBull. You seem pretty focused to me.”
    â€œShows how much you know.”
    â€œI know everything.”
    Brynn made a soft disgusted noise and rolled her eyes, but Larkin laughed, which was all that mattered. In Harvest Cove people expected him to be kind of a pompous jackass. She was the only one who treated it like nothing but a funny act. Maybe it had been once, although he wasn’t entirely sure anymore. He’d been playing the role an awfully long time.
    There was something in the way she looked at him—the same heat and spark that had kept him hanging around long past when he would normally have given up and moved on—that banished whatever stupid comment he might have made from his mind before he could even form the words. Instead, Shane simply watched, fascinated, as Larkin’s laughter faded into a warm smile. She didn’t look away, and neither did he. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her look at him quite so closely before, or with so much . . . affection, maybe? He didn’t want to kid himself. Still, he felt the warmth of her gaze heating his skin like sunshine, and he could almost believe . . .
    â€œAhem.” It took Brynn’s not-at-all-subtle clearing of her throat for him to realize that an awkward silence had descended over the kitchen. When he finally tore his gaze away from Larkin, he saw that Brynn was watching the two of them with a combination of interest and alarm.
    â€œWell,” she chirped brightly, her voice slicing through the silence like a knife, “I’ve got to do a few last-minute things before everyone gets here. Not to throw you out—”
    â€œBut you’re throwing us out.” Larkin’s cheeks had gone suspiciously pink, and the smile she directed toward her friend was more forced than he was used toseeing from her. He’d flustered her. Or rather, whatever had passed between them had flustered her. That made two of them. “Don’t worry, Brynn. Even when you’re giving orders you’re nice. I’ll pack up my things and go. I won’t even poke a hole in your pretty cake out of spite.”
    Brynn laughed, but there was a nervous undercurrent to it, and the expression on her face was one he was very familiar with. She clearly didn’t approve of any possible relationship between the two of them. Shane managed to suppress an irritated sigh. It wasn’t like Brynn had anything to worry about. Larkin could handle herself even if anything were going on between them. Which it wasn’t.
    â€œShane? Earth to Shane.”
    Larkin’s voice yanked him out of yet another silent, righteous rant on the injustice of his reputation. “Huh?”
    â€œYou? Me? Leaving? Unless you really, really want to stick around for this baby shower. I’m sure Brynn would be happy to have you. You can play the poopy diaper game. It wouldn’t be weird or anything.”
    Brynn wrinkled her pert little nose. “We’re not playing