Gluten for Punishment by Nancy J. Parra Read Free Book Online

him by the arm, bringing him over to the table. I
     felt awkward sitting there looking up at the two of them, so I stood.
    Craig Kennedy looked the same as he did in high school: about six foot with wide shoulders,
     a narrow waist, and nice jeans. He wore a blue dress shirt rolled up at the wrists
     tucked into his jeans. He had a thirtysomething male jawline that was just this side
     of soft from working a desk, but the mouth was the same; the nose, those eyes all
     held the stamp of Ireland on them. His curly hair was thinning now and cut short.
    “Hey, Toni.” He stuck out his hand. “Great to see you back in town.”
    “Hi, Craig.” I shook his hand. “Have a seat.” I waved at the other two chairs at the
     table. “Can I get you anything? Piece of pie? Coffee? Juice?”
    “Tasha tells me you make a mean pecan pie.” He sat down, scooting his chair next to
     hers. It kind of warmed my heart when he draped his arm across the back of her seat.
    “Today’s version has chocolate in it.”
    “Great.”
    I busied myself slicing pie and pouring coffee, but my attention was on Tasha. Her
     explanation for hiding her relationship sounded reasonable, so why did I feel slighted?
     I guess because I thought we were best friends, who shared everything. “Cream or sugar?”
     I asked as I brought the pie and coffee mug over.
    “Black’s fine, thanks.” He waited for me to sit.
    I did and stirred my now cold chili. I watched as he dug a fork into the pie and took
     a bite. His blue eyes lit up. “This is really very good.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Every bit as tasty as Tasha claims.”
    I smiled. “Tasha and Kip are my testers. Nothing goes on the menu that hasn’t been
     approved by them.” I took a swig from my bottled water.
    “We were wondering . . .” Tasha began. Oh, boy, I should have seen this coming a mile
     off. First the guilt, now the payback. I tried not to sigh.
    “We want to have a dinner party to get our friends together.” Craig took hold of Tasha’s
     hand and kissed it.
    “We’d love it if you could come.”
    Wow . . . okay. I’d expected them to ask me to take Kip for a while. Not that I wouldn’t.
     I love the little guy and I knew Tasha never gets away, therefore I assumed . . .
     Darn it. I was not having a good day. Maybe I could blame the flour I’d snorted yesterday.
    “I’d love to. When?”
    “Friday night.” Tasha rubbed Craig’s arm. “I know it’s short notice, but I promise
     not to set you up with anyone. Unless you want to be set up. . . .”
    “Or already have a date, then feel free to bring him.”
    I saw Tasha kick Craig under the table, and laughed. “I’ll come, and no, I won’t have
     a date. Do you need me to bake anything?”
    “We do plan on going gluten-free, but I’m cooking this time. This is my dinner party
     and you deserve to come as a guest.”
    Oh, that was sweet. I was such an idiot. “I’m looking forward to it.” I stood when
     they did. “What time?”
    “Be at the house around 8 P.M. ” Before I could protest, she added, “I know the bakery is open until nine. Carrie
     said she could work then and close up for you.”
    “That sounds great.” Huh. I couldn’t decide if I was flattered Tasha had arranged
     for Carrie to stay or annoyed that Carrie had known about the relationship before
     me. I chose flattered since I’d been silly enough today. “Good to see you again, Craig.”
    I wanted to add,
If you hurt glowing Tasha and make her all un-glowing, I am going to have to hurt
     you
. But I kept it to myself. He didn’t look like he was about to hurt her anytime soon;
     there was something about the sweet, smitten look in his eyes.
    I hoped, for Tasha’s and Kip’s sake, this one really did work out. As for me, I wasn’t
     going down that road again.
    Ever. Eric had broken me. I doubted I would ever again believe that what I thought
     was love was real. You see, to fall in love, you had to trust more than just