Page 51 of A Slice of Summer
“Works for me.” His face brightened. “The name makes you happy.”
Taryn nodded. “Version 3.0 isn’t what I imagined the booth being thanks to the Summit Ridge Bakery, but it’ll work.”
“Of course, it will. You’re an artist, Taryn. With cakes and other desserts, but also with your eye for design. You’re talented enough to take any theme, including a summer picnic, and turn it into something memorable.”
Heat balled at the center of her chest and spread outward. “Thank you, but I couldn’t have done this without you. Even the name came from you.”
He cleared his throat. “Speaking of which, aren’t I supposed to get a slice of pie?”
“You are.” She stood, brushing her hands together. “Do you want to eat it inside or outside?”
“In the house where it’s cooler.”
A few minutes later, they sat at the kitchen table with tall glasses of iced tea and slices of marionberry pie. “I can’t believe I’m out of ice cream.”
“No ice cream necessary.” He scooped up another bite. “Marionberries are my new favorite berry, and the crust is perfect.”
Flutters filled her stomach. She enjoyed it when Garrett complimented her cooking, but… “You have a spot of filling above your lip.”
He wiped with a napkin on the left side. “Here.”
She pointed to her face. “On the right. Your left.”
Garrett wiped the other side, but it was still there.
Taryn hadn’t used her napkin yet, so she came closer and patted above the corner of his mouth. “There.”
His gaze met hers, and she froze. They were so close if she leaned forward, her lips would be against his.
Her heart slammed against her rib cage.
No, she couldn’t… Could she?
A hundred thoughts ran through her mind. Tonight wasn’t a date. Garrett was here as a friend to help her and leaving after Callie’s wedding.
Step away.That was the smart thing to do. Except…
A connection flowed between them once again, stronger than before, pulling her closer, like two magnets.
She couldn’t resist.
No, that wasn’t one hundred percent correct.
Taryn didn’t want to resist. She never took the last cookie or piece of dessert. Not even as a kid. But tonight… tonight she wanted to be greedy.
Take instead of giving.
That should frighten her more than it did.
Her lips parted, an invitation or a plea, but she didn’t want to wait. Oh, logically, she should, but she was tired of always doing what she should do. If he would kiss her…
Except he hadn’t moved.
Desire flared in his eyes, matching the way she felt inside.
Taryn closed the short distance between them, pressing her mouth against him. They’d kissed before, albeit months ago, but something about this was more like a first kiss.
It might be the season, summer instead of winter, but he tasted sweeter than she remembered.
