A Slice of Summer by Melissa McClone

Author:Melissa McClone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781954894204
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2021-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“You need to sleep.” Garrett didn’t have to glance at the time to know it was late. Taryn kept yawning. She would fall asleep sitting up if they kept going. He also wanted to kiss her good night. That had been on his mind since they locked lips earlier. He’d glimpsed her dimples, but he wanted more. “We’re pretty much finished.”

“It’s the ‘pretty much’ that worries me.” As she studied each section, she stifled another yawn. “I want to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything.”

“The only missing pieces are the baked goods.”

“Jayden texted me photos. The guys have those under control.”

Garrett figured as much based on the notifications buzzing on her phone tonight. “That means there’s no reason not to call it a night.”

Still, she hesitated. Taryn rubbed her arms. The temperature had dropped.

“Something’s on your mind.” He wanted to know what.

“Nerves,” she admitted, but she didn’t lower her arms. “I pinned my hopes on the patio opening and winning the booth competition. Now…”

“You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“No, but a worst-case scenario litany is playing on an endless loop in my head.”

“You need to sleep.”

“I know.” She sighed. “Otherwise, I’ll be like the walking dead for the next three days.”

“You don’t want to scare the small children.”

Taryn grimaced. “That’s not the type of picnic or slices we want people to associate with Lawson’s Bakery.”

“Though I bet they’d never forget it.”

She laughed. “For sure, especially after the nightmares.”

“That’s why we won’t let that happen.”

“Sleep.”

“Sleep.” He walked toward her with purposeful steps. “No one knows what tomorrow or any day after that will hold. That’s part of the fun.”

She eyed him warily. “Says the trial attorney who preps nonstop for a big trial.”

“Nothing wrong with preparing, which is what we’ve been doing, but at some point, you have to tell yourself you’ve given it your all and call it.”

Her expression softened. “You’ll be an excellent uncle someday.”

Something in his chest shifted. He froze.

“Thanks.” Garrett didn’t know what else to say, which wasn’t like him.

“I guess it’s time for good night.”

“It is.” Except he would rather turn on a movie, cuddle on the couch, and kiss. Taryn, however, needed sleep more than she needed kisses. Unfortunately. “But I’ll be here in the morning.”

“I’ll be ready.”

He moved closer. All he wanted was to kiss her until the worry disappeared from her eyes. “Get some sleep.”

“I might check—”

“No.” He kissed her forehead. “Good night.”

“Are you this bossy with your clients?”

“Worse. I tell them what to wear, how to sit, and what to say.”

“Guess I’m lucky.”

“The luckiest.” He brushed strands of hair off her face. “You need to go inside and forget about stuff for the rest of the night.”

And somehow, Garrett would do the same. But shutting down his brain and thoughts about Taryn wouldn’t be easy-peasy tonight. “Text me when you’re ready for me to come over tomorrow.”

*

In the morning, Garrett woke early and took the dogs for a walk. His phone remained silent—no text notifications or calls from Taryn. She must have slept late.

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