A Slice of Summer

by Melissa McClone

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I still felt as if I needed to redeem myself, so I didn’t send in my résumé. It was the right decision because my dad never told me to apply or asked my plans.”

  “That had to hurt after what you thought would happen.”

  He shrugged. That was a long time ago, but the sting remained. “I took a job at the district attorney’s office. It was hard work, but I learned so much. After a few years, I struck out on my own. I did well enough my reputation grew. A top firm came calling, and I said yes. That’s when higher-profile cases started coming my way.”

  “And here you are today, a partner in another firm. Which I’m guessing is what you wanted at your dad’s firm.”

  Garrett sat taller. “Pretty much.”

  “So modest.”

  “No, attorneys are some of the most arrogant people you’ll meet, including me.”

  She laughed. “Arrogant or not, you proved yourself.”

  He half laughed. “I did. The mistake I made as an intern made me a better attorney, a more paranoid one, and wealthier than I’d be if I’d taken that original path. Between you and me, I make more than my dad does.”

  “Okay, so not modest,” she joked. “But it all worked out.”

  Garrett hadn’t thought about it like that. “It did. And my dad is proud of me.”

  “He’d be crazy not to be.” She parked a block off Main Street. “Your stories reaffirm something I’ve been telling myself.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Things happen for a reason.”

  “They do. I couldn’t see that when I was an intern, but everything worked out the way it was supposed to.”

  “I hope my dad is as proud of me someday as yours is.”

  “He will be. So hang in there,” Garrett encouraged, but her dimples didn’t appear. “You’re doing the best you can right now. Your dad will see it, and he’ll be proud of you for how you’re handling a tough situation.”

  Chapter Eleven

  In her backyard, Taryn stared at the booth. It was finally coming together. Her dream of finishing on time had replaced her goal of winning. Not what she hoped for, but that didn’t change the reality of the situation. Her original design might win, but the bakery—at least, Lawson’s Bakery—wouldn’t reap any benefits.

  Sweat dripped down her spine, but they’d already taken a lunch break. She should do more before heading inside for a few minutes to enjoy the air-conditioning. But she would love an iced drink that wasn’t water.

  Soon.

  Taryn glanced at Garrett, who removed the fairy lights that were no longer needed. Those would go into white tulle to resemble clouds instead.

  Sweat dampened his hair. His skin gleamed. Muscles flexed as he moved pieces to give himself more room to work.

  A sigh welled inside her.

  Look away.

  She did because admiring eye candy was one thing but focusing on him and sneaking one peek after another wasn’t healthy. Not when she needed to focus on the task at hand.

  Repaint the sign.

  That would help the booth more than crushing on Garrett.

  Wait. Taryn didn’t have a crush. She found him attractive. Any breathing woman would.

  “Knock. Knock.” Raine Hanover walked from the side yard toward her. She carried a drink tray with two cups with straws sticking out. “I thought you might enjoy an iced coffee.”

  Taryn set her paintbrush on the edge of the can before standing. “Did you read my mind?”

  Raine grinned. “No, but it’s a scorcher, and these have been the drink of choice today.”

  “Thank you.” Garrett stood and took the drink. “I met you in December.”

  Raine asked, handing a drink to Taryn, “Garrett, right?”

  He nodded before taking a sip. “Hits the spot perfectly.”

  Taryn drank from hers. The cold plastic cup cooled her hand. “I owe you.”

  “I’ll accept payment with baked goods,” Raine joked.

  “Done.” Taryn sipped. “You’re off early today.”

  Raine’s lips drew into a thin line. “Emmett is stopping by.”

  Uh-oh. Based on Raine’s expression, she didn’t look thrilled about talking to her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But something made little sense. “He’s in town on a Thursday?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Emmett rented a room in a house, but he’s moving into an apartment and wants his stuff I stored in my garage. I’ll be running between the fair and the coffee shop all weekend, so I told him this weekend wasn’t a good time. And then he showed up today unannounced.”

  Garrett drank more. “I’m going to keep working. Thanks for the coffee.”

  Taryn waited until he was over by the booth. “Are you okay?”

  “I was a mess at first, but it’s been over three months so I’m better.”

  She flinched. “That long?”

  Raine nodded. “You’ve been dealing with the other bakery.”

  “I’m sorry for not being a better friend.”

  “Don’t be. Summit Ridge stole your employees and is ruining your business. If that happened to me, I’d barely be functioning.”

  Taryn sheepishly raised her hand.

  “Exactly, so don’t think you failed as a friend. You haven’t,” Raine said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Honestly, all you would have done is listen to me go from one extreme to the other. We’ve tried long-distance, broke up, tried the long-distance again.”

  “Being apart and dating must be rough.” Which was why that hadn’t been an option when Garrett had been here over the holidays.

  “The worst,” Raine agreed. “And we can’t ignore the bottom line. He hates living in a small town and only stayed because we started dating, but now he wants me to move to Seattle.”

  Taryn’s jaw dropped. “Are you considering it?”

  “No way.” Raine’s tone was firm. “My business and life are in Silver Falls. I looked at what’s available, and I can’t afford a coffee shop there. Now that I own a place, I don’t want to be a barista or manager for someone else again.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too, but I’m tired of this yo-yoing. I’d rather move on than keep pretending this will somehow miraculously work itself out. We want different things. That’s no one’s fault.”

  “I’m not sure I’d be handling this as well as you are.”

  “Oh, I wasn’t at first, but I’ve had months to come to terms with it. I visited him in Seattle several times, and I don’t want to move to a bigger city. There’s a reason I bought a coffee shop in a small town. Silver Falls is home now.”

  Raine’s cell phone buzzed. “That’s probably Emmett, wondering where I am.”

  “Thanks again for the coffees.”

  “You’re welcome.” Raine surveyed the yard. “I can’t wait to see your booth tomorrow. Someday, I’ll get more creative with an entry.”

  “If you ever need ideas, ask.”

  “Trust me. I will.” Raine laughed. “See you around, Garrett. Give my best to your sister.”

  “Will do.” Garrett raised his cup. “I’ll be by for another of these.”

  “Now, go work so you can sleep tonight.” A quick hug and Raine left through the side gate.

  “Raine seems nice.” Garrett placed his glass against his neck.

  “She is.” Taryn glanced toward the side yard.

  “You’re worried about her.”

  “Yes, but I also feel guilty for not being a better friend. I’ve been so wrapped up in what’s going on with the bakery—”

  “I overheard what Raine said about that. Don’t take this on, too.”

  “You’re right.” And he was. “Thanks.”

  “Any ideas for the name yet?”

  Taryn shook her head. “Still hoping inspiration hits.”

  “Paint the sign and see what happens.”

  She raised a brow. “The egotistical attorney is getting bossy.”


  He winked. “Whatever it takes to finish.”

  On time was unspoken but implied.

  Taryn picked up her paintbrush. “Whatever it takes.”

  *

  As the sun sank toward the horizon, Taryn sat, stifling another yawn. The tarp didn’t provide any cushion for her knees, but it was better than nothing. Her body yearned for sleep—even a nap would do—but so many items remained on her to-do list. This last night before the fair began was crunch time.

  “Looks good,” he said.

  “Thanks.” She added the final coat of paint to the sign’s frame. A cute yet catchy booth name eluded her. It appeared “Summer Picnic” would win by default.

  Not surprising when she was running on fumes. Raine’s iced coffee had kept Taryn going, but she needed more caffeine.

  “It’s coming together,” he said.

  Not trusting her voice—which was becoming a habit—she nodded.

  They had worked all day. Her tiredness coupled with the growing stress was catching up to her.

  She lowered her paintbrush. Would all this work be for nothing?

  Push through it.

  The three words became her mantra. If she didn’t do that, she would regret it.

  Sleep would come. Not until Sunday night when the fair was over, but that was okay.

  So much was at stake. She needed to keep the bakery going. It was her grandparents’ legacy. Her parents’, too.

  Would it be hers?

  Probably best not to think about that when she could erupt into tears at any moment.

  Taryn could do this.

  No, she would do this, and she wasn’t alone.

  She glanced at Garrett, who’d worked by her side all day. Okay, sometimes he’d been across the yard, but having him there kept her going as had her friends. Raine with the drinks and Callie, who’d delivered a dinner from the Falls Café before going to Margot’s house to make wedding favors with her mom. And Jayden had left cookies on her doorstep on his break. Thank goodness for her friends, or Taryn might lose it.

  She’d been on the verge since last night.

  Push through it.

  That was all she could do.

  Garrett stuck fake daisies and greenery through the artificial grass that now covered the front panel. “You okay?”

  It was strange how he sensed when she was struggling. “I can’t think of any other booth names.”

  “We’ll come up with something.” His confidence gave her another boost. “We’re almost finished with the rebuild, and once we are, that’ll take some pressure off.”

  “You’re right. I’ll stop brainstorming.” She surveyed the piece he worked on. Who knew a high-powered trial lawyer had mad building and craft skills? But… “Don’t forget, part of the red and white checked tablecloth will cover the middle part of the front panel.”

  “I remember. That’s why I’m doing the sides first. Once the cloth is on, I’ll see what holes show.” He grinned at her, and her pulse picked up. “I’m glad you bought two tablecloths. I thought it was overkill, but now I understand the method to your madness.”

  “This is the definition of madness.” She half laughed. It was better than crying. But Taryn didn’t have to force a fleeting smile. “You can’t be too careful when you’re down to the eleventh hour. I enjoy picnics, so I’ll use the extra one for myself if we don’t need both.”

  He glanced at the time. “We have sixteen hours until we have to be at the park.”

  Whenever he said “we,” she muttered a little prayer of gratitude for him. “We should make it.”

  “Not should. We will make it.”

  “We will,” she repeated, touching up a spot on the frame. “And then we celebrate.”

  “You know what would taste good right now?”

  Taryn took a shot in the dark. “Something sweet from Lawson’s Bakery.”

  “That’s a given, but I was thinking more of a slice of juicy, chilled watermelon.”

  “Oh, yes.” She thought about the one they’d bought earlier that morning. “There’s a seedless one sitting on my kitchen counter, but it’s not chilled.”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s for your display, not to eat.”

  “Spoilsport.” Taryn pictured what was in her fridge. “I have a blueberry cheesecake or a marionberry pie.”

  “Oh, I’d love a slice of pie.”

  From watermelon to pie, though, she also had cake and pizza. Each one was a slice of goodness.

  Her breath hitched. “A slice.”

  “What?”

  Tingles erupted in her stomach.

  “A slice of goodness, a slice of sweetness, a slice of summer.” She nearly jumped to her feet. “A Slice of Summer. That’s the name of our booth.”

  “A Slice of Summer.” Garrett nodded. “I like it.”

  “Me, too.” She pictured the words on the sign. “I can use a script font and add summery icons like a pie.”

  “Watermelons.”

  “Strawberries.”

  “Lemonade.”

  She had to think for a moment. “Ice cream.”

  “All fit the picnic theme, though ice cream melts.”

  “Not if you bought it in the park from the ice cream cart and ate it right away sitting on the grass.”

  “Works for me.” His face brightened. “The name makes you happy.”

  Taryn nodded. “Version 3.0 isn’t what I imagined the booth being thanks to the Summit Ridge Bakery, but it’ll work.”

  “Of course, it will. You’re an artist, Taryn. With cakes and other desserts, but also with your eye for design. You’re talented enough to take any theme, including a summer picnic, and turn it into something memorable.”

  Heat balled at the center of her chest and spread outward. “Thank you, but I couldn’t have done this without you. Even the name came from you.”

  He cleared his throat. “Speaking of which, aren’t I supposed to get a slice of pie?”

  “You are.” She stood, brushing her hands together. “Do you want to eat it inside or outside?”

  “In the house where it’s cooler.”

  A few minutes later, they sat at the kitchen table with tall glasses of iced tea and slices of marionberry pie. “I can’t believe I’m out of ice cream.”

  “No ice cream necessary.” He scooped up another bite. “Marionberries are my new favorite berry, and the crust is perfect.”

  Flutters filled her stomach. She enjoyed it when Garrett complimented her cooking, but… “You have a spot of filling above your lip.”

  He wiped with a napkin on the left side. “Here.”

  She pointed to her face. “On the right. Your left.”

  Garrett wiped the other side, but it was still there.

  Taryn hadn’t used her napkin yet, so she came closer and patted above the corner of his mouth. “There.”

  His gaze met hers, and she froze. They were so close if she leaned forward, her lips would be against his.

  Her heart slammed against her rib cage.

  No, she couldn’t… Could she?

  A hundred thoughts ran through her mind. Tonight wasn’t a date. Garrett was here as a friend to help her and leaving after Callie’s wedding.

  Step away. That was the smart thing to do. Except…

  A connection flowed between them once again, stronger than before, pulling her closer, like two magnets.

  She couldn’t resist.

  No, that wasn’t one hundred percent correct.

  Taryn didn’t want to resist. She never took the last cookie or piece of dessert. Not even as a kid. But tonight… tonight she wanted to be greedy.

  Take instead of giving.

  That should frighten her more than it did.

  Her lips parted, an invitation or a plea, but she didn’t want to wait. Oh, logically, she should, but she was tired of always doing what she should do. If he would kiss her…

  Except he hadn’t moved.

  Desire f
lared in his eyes, matching the way she felt inside.

  Taryn closed the short distance between them, pressing her mouth against him. They’d kissed before, albeit months ago, but something about this was more like a first kiss.

  It might be the season, summer instead of winter, but he tasted sweeter than she remembered.

  Like the pie.

  Forget marionberry. He was now her new favorite. She’d never thought of warmth as a flavor, but there it was, with a hint of salt. Most likely from being outside in the heat.

  His arms remained at his sides and hers, too. She gripped the napkin in her right hand.

  If Taryn touched him, she might not want to let go.

  That would be a mistake.

  She lost track of time, but slowly his lips lifted from hers.

  A chill ran through her. Goose bumps pricked her skin. Not from the air-conditioning, but from him ending the kiss.

  Taryn bit her lip.

  Garrett’s pupils were wide. His breathing unsteady. “Kissing you was better than I remember.”

  A hundred times better. But she didn’t know if she could speak coherently at the moment, given how much his kiss affected her.

  She nodded, trying to pull herself together, hoping her heart rate slowed.

  “Why haven’t we been doing this the entire time?” he asked.

  “Friends,” she croaked.

  “We are friends.” He ran the edge of his fingertip along her jawline. His touch was light, and his speed nearly slow-motion. “But we could be more.”

  A thrill shot through her. She wanted that, but…

  Memories of December flashed. A rush of heartwarming images and overwhelming emotions from January followed. Like then, he would leave to return home to a job that required his full attention. And she would be here, working just as hard at the bakery. Well, hopefully.

  Once again, this wasn’t the right time for…

  More.

  Taryn jumped to her feet. “I’ll put the plates in the dishwasher, so we can finish the booth.”

  “Hey.” He held her hand. “What just happened?”

  “Stuff is in my head.”

  “New stuff?”

  “Old stuff.”

  Realization dawned on his face. “From my last visit.”

  She nodded.

  “Want to tell me about it?” His tone wasn’t pushy.