Imagine That

Imagine That by Kristin Wallace Read Free Book Online

Book: Imagine That by Kristin Wallace Read Free Book Online
Authors: Kristin Wallace
literature like we do, Zach,” Emily said with a huff of irritation.
    â€œYeah, Zach here got all the brains in the family,” Nate said, not at all insulted. In fact, he grinned. “I’m just a dumb shmuck.”
    Zach frowned. “You’re not dumb, you’re—”
    â€œEmily isn’t interested in my problems,” Nate cut in. “Mom’s waiting for us at home. Let’s stock up and get going.”
    The two picked out a variety of cookies and several brownies. Emily bagged the treats while she pondered what had just happened. Some kind of message had been passed between the brothers. Like Nate didn’t want Zach to reveal something he shouldn’t.
    She rang up the order and handed the bag to Nate. Zach snatched it up and filched a cookie.
    â€œDinner, Zach,” Nate said, cuffing his brother in the arm for emphasis.
    The teenager rolled his eyes as he stuffed a second cookie in his mouth. “Like I won’t eat at home, too.”
    â€œRight,” Nate said with an ironic sigh. Then he aimed a stern glance at Emily. “Keep away from those torches.”
    â€œI doubt Jessie will let me touch anything flammable again.” Meanwhile, Emily would probably have to put ice on her cheeks to douse the heat.
    Nate laughed outright. “Not a bad idea.”
    â€œI’m usually pretty coordinated. You make me—” She gulped and zipped her lips.
    His stilled. “I make you what?”
    Emily shook her head. No way could she answer with anything resembling the truth. Talk about a disastrous mistake.
    Another long, heated look sizzled across the counter, and then Nate hustled his brother out of the shop. Emily didn’t breathe again until the door shut behind them.
    Remember, Em, you have a goal , and he is not part of it.
    ****
    Nate burst through the door of Jessie ’ s Treats and hurried up the sidewalk toward the car. He needed to put some distance between himself and the caramel-haired Calamity Jane inside. His heart still threatened to erupt out of his chest like the alien tearing through that guy’s stomach. Emily claimed he’d moved fast, but in his mind time had slipped into slow motion. His only thought had been to stop the flames from eating into her skin.
    Then, like an idiot, he’d pulled her into his arms. Man, what a dumb move. He could still feel the imprint of her pressed against his chest. Her scent, a combination of cinnamon and some kind of berry-scented shampoo, assaulted his senses every time he breathed. He should never have touched her.
    â€œBro, are we running for a reason?”
    Nate skidded to a halt. “Huh?”
    â€œAre we late?” Zach asked.
    â€œSorry, I was thinking of something else,” he said, forcing himself to take a deep breath and calm down.
    The kid grinned. “I’ll bet. She’s hot, man.”
    â€œWho?”
    If possible Zach’s grin spread wider. “Are you kidding? E.J. Sinclair. Like you didn’t notice. She’s little, but everything’s packaged just right.”
    He scowled. “You shouldn’t talk about women like that. It’s disrespectful.”
    â€œI’m just saying,” Zach said with careless shrug. “Are you gonna do something about it?”
    â€œAbout what?”
    Zach sent him a come-on glare. “About Emily Sinclair? About you looking like you were ready to—”
    â€œHey!”
    The kid’s eyes widened. “—kiss her. Man, what’d you think I was gonna say?”
    â€œNothing,” Nate mumbled. “Come on. We need to go home and fix dinner.”
    Zach laughed. “So, more than kissing then? Do we need to have a talk?”
    Nate jabbed a finger in his brother’s face, but he couldn’t come up with a good response. Thankfully, they’d reached the car. “Just get in.”
    Of course, Zach didn’t let the subject drop. As soon as Nate had backed out

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