Page 17 of Hearts Like Hers

The afternoon rush at Pajamas had arrived infull force, but she and Steve were ready. Well, she and Steve, and Rhonda fromthe community college up the street. She’d hired Rhonda the week prior beforefinding out that Rhonda felt cotton was somehow from the devil, but had adefinite affinity for all things sweet. In fact, baked goods mysteriouslydisappeared from the display case at a remarkable pace while Rhonda lecturedthem all on how every other textile known to man was superior to her swornenemy, cotton. Outside of Steve, Autumn had a difficult time finding good,reliable help. The revolving door at least added a bit of afternoonentertainment, as she never knew what she was in for with these kids.

As she rang upJake-the-crossword-puzzle-guy’s house roast, Autumn felt a text vibrate in herfront pocket. She glanced at it ninja style so as not to look unprofessional infront of a customer, even if it was just Crossword Puzzle Guy.Emergency. We need a delivery,the text from Hadley read.

“Rhonda? Can you tag in for me?”

With a heavy sigh, Rhonda set down herchocolate chip cookie and took Autumn’s spot at the cash register. She silentlyprayed the customers weren’t chastised for any basic cotton blends. She wouldneed to speak with Rhonda sometime soon about her fabric beliefs and when andwhen not to express them.

Kindof in the middle of my shift, she typed back.But an emergency sounds important.What gives?She smiled at the woman perusing the menu board andglanced beneath the counter at the readout on her phone.

Gonnawant to make an exception.

Whyis that?she asked Hadley, her interest snagged.

Firefighterhas killer abs and she’s wearing my two-piece.

Willthat be three iced coffees, then?she typed back automatically. Somethings took precedence, and Kate’s abs on display might be one of them. She wasnot above objectification.

Youwon’t regret this.Hadley added a winky face to the end of the textfor good measure.

When Autumn arrived at their typical spot onthe strip of Venice Beach far from the throngs of tourists, she found Hadleyalone on her towel wearing her vintage 1950s white and blue striped bathingsuit, stealing some rays. In an attempt to blend in with her surroundings,Autumn rolled up the bottoms of her jeans and lost her shoes. She’d ditched herapron back at the shop, leaving her in a plain white T-shirt, which would haveto do. The warm weather was a tad early for April, but Autumn wasn’tcomplaining. With the tide rolling in, she soaked in the sound of the beach allaround her like food to the starving: waves crashing, seagulls chirping, andthe tunes from Hadley’s radio. She never got tired of this place. Wasn’tpossible.

“You came!” Hadley said, sitting up andpopping her sunglasses on top of her head. “A smart decision.”

“You know, I forget all of this is stillgoing on in the midst of the workday. I take it you’re off?”

“Close,” Hadley said. “I’m meeting with a newdesigner later this afternoon. Trudy, who’s the new store manager, by the way,wants a revamp. Hipper, modern, more accessible, and it’s apparently up to meto make that happen.”

“I like that. If I could afford it, I mightactually want to shop there now.”

“Never say never.” Hadley accepted her icedcoffee and pointed down the beach. “They’re throwing a Frisbee. Get down there.It’s awesome.”

Autumn blew Hadley a thank-you kiss andheaded down the beach where Gia threw an easy glide to Kate who—holy hell,looked likethatunder her clothes. Autumn sucked in a breath and her body went numb. But notfor long. It woke back up again quickly and with a vengeance. And now her bodywanted things. Wanton things. Demanded them.

“Those for us?” Gia asked, trotting over toher with a grateful grin.

Autumn glanced down at the tray in her hands,forgetting what the hell she was doing with it. “Oh. Right. Yeah. For youguys.”

“You’re the best,” Gia said and snagged herdrink.

Kate joined them and Autumn’s gaze movedacross the smooth olive skin, trim waist that flared to the subtle curve of herhips. The abs on Kate were insane, but she didn’t dwell there for long. Thebathing suit top dipped in the front, showcasing just a glimpse of her breaststhat seemed not full, but not small either. She had perfect breasts. Autumnsighed as the physical longing persisted. She shifted against it, her new lotin life where Kate was concerned. Autumn shook her head. Of course she hadperfect breasts. It would be too easy if she didn’t. When Autumn rememberedthat there was a larger world around her and raised her gaze to a moreappropriate eye level, she came face-to-face with Kate, who had missed none ofit.

Damnit.

Caught in broad daylight!

The blush slammed her cheeks and they heateduncomfortably. She had two choices here: shrink like a wussy little violet, orown the fact that she was a grown woman with desires, and wants, and…okay, verypotent needs. She brightened and handed Kate an iced coffee. “Looking good outthere, Carpenter,” she said, with a wink.

Kate bit her bottom lip through her smile.Biting her lip? Was she trying to kill Autumn there on the beach? Kate was adiabolical sex genius intent on taking down the women of Venice, and Autumnseemed to be target number one.

“Thank you,” Kate said. “For this as well.”She held up the plastic cup and took a pull from the straw. Autumn flashed to arather juvenile fantasy of Kate rubbing the sweating cup across her body, butstopped herself because it was hot enough out here and coffee was serious business.

“She’s never played Frisbee before,” Giasaid, hooking a thumb at Kate. “Can you believe that? She’s a prodigy.”

Kate glanced at the ground and then back up.“Just trying to keep up with you.” As confident as Kate seemed in herinteractions with Autumn, there was this whole other side to her that edgedcloser to vulnerable when the spotlight hit. She wasn’t comfortable with toomuch attention.

“Would never have guessed it was her firsttime,” Autumn said casually, careful not to gush. Or stare. That is, untilKate’s gaze flicked to hers and held. Their connection sizzled.

Gia looked from one of them to the other.“Oh. I have to head to a sponsorship meeting in an hour and should probablyfreshen up. Autumn, sub in for me?”

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