Last First Kiss by Lia Riley Read Free Book Online Page B

“Welcome! Be right with you.”
    Annie racked her brain, but couldn’t place the barista, who exuded a casual but stylish poise. She’d have remembered someone with that vivid hair color. Plus, all her freckles contributed to a unique but undeniably eye-catching look.
    “Her name is Edie and she’s new in town.” Sawyer leaned close to whisper into her ear. “The rumor mill claims she comes from New York City.”
    His breath teased the side of Annie’s neck, a heat that spread south, leaving her breasts full and aching. “A friend of yours?” she managed to grind out.
    “Archer knows her. I’m not sure how they met, but he seems to have taken an interest of sorts.”
    “Your brother?” Even in his teens, Archer had a way with women. Lots of women. “Who isn’t he interested in?”
    “Well . . . I don’t think he’s made the rounds at the nursing home. Yet.”
    Annie was surprised to find herself smiling, a real smile, something that seemed impossible twenty minutes ago. She gave Sawyer a grateful look. “Thank you for inviting us.”
    “Thanks for saying yes.” His hooded gaze dropped to her mouth. “You know, smiling is a good look on you.”
    A delicious warmth spread through her lower belly as if she’d already drank the promised hot chocolate.
    “Um . . . ” Edie discretely cleared her throat. “Are you ready to order?”
    “Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.” Annie placed a hand on the side of her neck, her pulse pounding beneath her fingers.
    “Can we have a cupcake too, Mommy?” Atticus pressed his face against the glass display case.
    “A cupcake and hot chocolate? That’s a lot of sugar.”
    “It’s hazelnut with Nutella frosting,” Edie said with a conspiratorial wink.
    “You don’t play fair.” Annie’s mouth dropped. “How can anyone resist?”
    Edie’s aloof expression disappeared with a laugh that was shy but genuine. “That’s my hope.”
    A Mumford & Sons song came on over the sound system and Annie sighed, “Ah. This is my favorite song,” right as Edie said, “Hey, I love this song.”
    They exchanged warm glances. How nice to meet someone new in Brightwater, a woman who didn’t know her as a kooky Carson, who liked great music, good coffee, and Nutella. The tension left her shoulders as Sawyer placed their orders, adding a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie to the mix and insisting on paying despite her protests.
    “I’ll bring this all right out,” Edie said as more people came through the front door.
    “It looks like your first day in business is a success,” Annie said.
    “Such a relief.” Edie took a deep breath. “I wasn’t sure how the town would react to a new coffee shop. The Baker’s Dozen has been around forever.”
    Annie nodded with understanding. “People here can be slow to embrace change.”
    “I’m learning that, but still, I’m determined to make it work.”
    “Well, for as long as I’m in town, plan on me being a regular customer,” Annie said. “Nutella lovers need to stick together.”
    “That sounds like a deal.” Edie giggled. “Are you here for a visit?”
    Annie glanced to the booth where Atticus was laughing at some story of Sawyer’s. “No. I’m selling my family farm. Then moving to San Francisco to expand my business or maybe start a new project.”
    “What do you do?”
    “I’m a mommy blogger. I know, it sounds strange, right?” Annie added quickly.
    Edie leaned forward on her elbows. “Don’t undersell yourself! You are an entrepreneur.”
    That put a certain glamor into what was essentially working from her kitchen table in yoga pants. “I don’t know about that. I haven’t used my journalism degree in so long that I’m not sure it’s worth the paper it’s printed on.”
    Edie gave her a considered look, absently chewing the corner of her lip. “You know what, I should introduce you to my cousin. He’s new in town too and works in media. We could all have dinner together.”
    The idea of dinner out in