The Spy Who Loves Me by Julie Kenner Read Free Book Online Page A

shirt who’d filled a basket with an odd assortment of coffee cups, empty Danish cookie tins, and rag dolls. As the woman left, apparently thrilled with her haul, David turned, his face breaking into a wide grin the second he saw Finn.
    â€œFinn, buddy. Long time no see. Put on your sales cap and give me a hand with some customers.”
    Finn raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t been over here in two months, and all you can do is pass out work assignments? How come I get roped in and your wife is relaxing on the porch?”
    David laughed. “One word—Millie.” He nodded toward the porch. “She said Jacey needed to get off her feet, and then she dragged my wife to the porch.” He shrugged, a what can you do gesture, but Finn could tell David didn’t really mind. For that matter, he was grinning from ear to ear.
    â€œWhat am I missing?” Finn asked, his suspicion piqued.
    â€œNot a thing,” David said, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “I just need help making change.” He nodded toward the porch. “My wife’s lost in a sea of Mel Gibson. It’s scary the way she and Millie have bonded.”
    Finn laughed. David’s Aunt Millie was, as she liked to say, on the youthful side of ninety. But her mind was still sharp and, if her fascination with Mel Gibson was any indication, her libido wasn’t in bad shape either.
    â€œI’ll help,” Finn said, “but I came for food.”
    David cocked his head, regarding Finn carefully. “Female troubles.” It was a statement, not a question.
    â€œSomething like that,” Finn admitted.
    â€œMaybe you should follow Millie’s advice and just get married,” David said. “I hate to admit it, but she was right about me.”
    Finn laughed. “Yeah, but you already married Jacey. All the good ones are taken.”
    â€œTrue,” David said solemnly. “I guess you’re screwed.”
    Finn rolled his eyes, his mood already lifting. Maybe he’d made a huge ass out of himself where Tatiana was concerned, but even if he had, so what? He’d made a huge ass out of himself before, and the odds were good he’d do it again, too.
    David glanced at his watch, then scanned the yard. Finn followed his friend’s gaze, counting six people still dotting the makeshift sales floor. The two old men he’d seen as he drove up were arguing over a bin of vinyl LPs. David’s next-door neighbor’s son was taking a long, hard look at the skateboard that had been Finn’s doom so many years ago. Two teenage girls squatted in front of a box of old magazines, flipping the pages and giggling like fiends. And a brunette Finn hadn’t seen earlier was standing under the oak tree, her back to Finn, as her finger traced down the side of David’s ten-year-old snow skis.
    â€œHow long are you keeping the store open?” he asked.
    â€œThe signs say five, but I’ll break it down before then if all the stuff is sold.” David grinned. “Don’t worry. Right now I just need you to help make change. Manual labor won’t be involved for at least a few more hours.”
    â€œWell, then I’m your man,” he said. “I can’t believe you’re selling the skateboard,” he said. His eyes drifted toward the brunette. “Or the skis.”
    â€œThe skateboard should have gone long ago, although you’re welcome to it if you want it for sentimental reasons.”
    Finn faked a shudder. “My collarbone would never forgive me,” he said. “The skis, though, I might take you up on. Put on some new bindings, and they’ll be good as new.”
    â€œTake them,” David said. “And anything else you want.”
    â€œThanks. I might just take—” He broke off, squinting at something familiar laid out on the middle of the card table. “Is that the watch I bought you last Christmas?”
    David had