Page 12 of Sweet Bred

I bite back a laugh as our server swings by our booth with my drink. The first sip is wonderfully refreshing.

“Fun fact about gin,” I say to Shaw. “You can actually make a simplified version of it at home. It’s essentially just vodka infused with juniper berries and other botanicals.”

Shaw’s eyebrows arch. “And you know this from experience?”

“Oh, no, I’ve never done it myself. But I read about it in one of the books at the bookstore I work at. Cool, though, right?”

“I had no idea.” Shaw gives me another one of those subtly sexy smiles of his. “So is that what you do all day? Pretend to work while you’re actually just reading the books you’re supposed to be selling?”

I scoff. “No. I do my job.”

“I’m only teasing. I’m sure you work very hard.” He thinks for a moment. “Let me guess. Alleycat Books? Is that where you work?”

“Yep. That’s the one.”

“I’ve walked by it. Seems like a nice shop.”

“It is. If you ever need a book, you should come by.”

“I will. Is that all you sell? Just books?”

“Just books? Shaw, there’s no such thing as just books.”

“My bad. Let me rephrase that. Is anything else sold there in addition to all those wonderful books?”

“Mmm. Good question. The answer is yes. We also carry calendars. And bookmarks. And reading pillows.”

“Reading pillows?” he says with a laugh. “How’s a reading pillow different than a regular pillow?”

“It’s designed for back support. Some of them even have arms.”

“A pillow with arms? That I’ve gotta see.”

“You jest, but I would bet you a large sum of money that if you tried one, you’d love it.”

“Something tells me I shouldn’t take that bet.”

“Smart man.” I take another sip of my drink. “Mmm. I’ve gotta say, this is a really good gin and tonic.”

“They’ve got a good selection of beers here, too.”

“You’re a regular here, I’m guessing?”

Shaw nods. “I’ve always liked this place. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s good.”

“Fancy is overrated.”

Shaw crooks an eyebrow. “I mean, I agree. But I’m a little surprised to hear you say that.”

“Really? Why?”

He glances at the diamond on my hand. “You practically asked for a wedding cake with tiers all the way up to the ceiling.”

I tsk my tongue. “You should be flattered that I liked all of your cakes so much.”

“Believe me, I am.”

The warmth in his smile sends a glittery feeling through me. Our gaze holds longer than it should. He’s the one who breaks it, dropping his eyes to his beer as he lifts it to his lips.

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