Slice of Pi 2 Read Online Free Page A

“So how was the wedding, you know, apart from the incredible cake and all?”
    â€œGreat, actually. A lot of fun.” She brought the bone-white china mug to her lips and sipped her coffee, her lip curling over the edge with delicate precision, and Owen couldn’t look away. When she put the mug back down, she licked her lips once. “Will, the guy who got married, is my boss. He owns PI Games. He gave us all this week off to celebrate.” Her expression turned sour. “I was supposed to go to Clearwater Beach with a friend, but her kid got sick and she had to back out at the last minute.”
    â€œI’m sorry. She must be disappointed, too.” Owen knew what it was like to have to cancel plans, and it sucked.
    Iris nodded. “I feel a little selfish being bummed out about it, but I’ve been looking forward to the trip for weeks.”
    â€œHey, it’s normal to feel disappointed. You made plans and they fell through.”
    Iris gave a half shrug. “Yeah, I know. I’m not saying she should leave her sick kid. I’m not an asshole.” She traced her fingertip around the lip of her mug before continuing. “I just wish I had something exciting in my life right now so I wasn’t pinning all my hopes on a silly beach trip.”
    â€œYour job is exciting, though. Game design? That’s a very cool field.” Far more interesting than baking, at least.
    Iris raised an eyebrow. “I’m the human resources manager.”
    Owen winced. Shit, yeah, that was hard to sell as exciting. “Yeah, I’ve got nothing.”
    Her lips curled. “What about you? Is the baker’s life all glamour and fame?”
    Looking around at the shop, Owen laughed. Glamour and fame, right. “More like going to bed at eight and smelling like butter all the time.”
    Iris’s smile was indulgent. “Oh come on. Delicious sweets that make people happy? That isn’t so bad.”
    â€œI’m sure your job isn’t so bad, either.” Owen finished his coffee and checked the clock. He didn’t want to go, but another few minutes and he’d need to start the next round of pastries. “And you have a whole week off now to just relax and do whatever the hell you want.”
    â€œThat is true.” Iris raised her coffee to her lips for another long sip, then returned to her croissant. He liked watching her enjoy something he baked. He seldom stopped to visit with the customers and see their appreciation for his work. Whenever he was up front, he was restocking. He should try to spend more time out of the kitchen.
    Iris stared out the window for a moment, thinking, before straightening up in her chair. “Hey, I was wondering . . . Would you want to get together sometime?”
    Owen could feel the surprise on his face. “What, like on a date?”
    Iris shrugged. “Whatever. I’m still headed to Clearwater without my friend, and the beach is more fun with company. Thought you might like to come with.”
    Owen considered his schedule. Yeah, he should really get out more often, but he didn’t want to give this woman the wrong idea. He was already in a relationship with his small business, and it took pretty much everything he had to give. “I don’t have much time to date.” That was the truth, but it was only part of the truth.
    She considered him, head tipped to the side, sizing him up. He let her examine him, amused. Good luck, Iris Parker. He didn’t give up his secrets that easily.
    â€œAnd what if I’m not interested in dating? What if I just want a little fun at the beach?” Those blue eyes stayed locked on him as she finished her croissant, chewing and swallowing the last flaky bite. “Still not interested?”
    Well, that changed the situation slightly. He hadn’t dated in quite some time, and he hadn’t had a one-night-stand since college. Flings weren’t