Read Online Tymber Dalton by It's a Sweet Life - Free Book Online Page A

decided to leave their apartment again to get some air and look around some more. Going downstairs, he noticed Libbie’s car was gone. He took another turn around the center of Brooksville again on foot. Stores closed the day before had opened, including Many Blessings.
    “What the hell, I could use a coffee.” He stepped inside, surprised to find it nearly deserted except for a woman dusting a bookshelf, and another woman standing behind the counter.
    As he stepped up to the counter, he recognized the woman who’d given them the information about Libbie’s apartment.
    She also apparently recognized him. She greeted him with a beaming grin. “Ah, I see you’re still around.”
    He nodded. “Yes, thank you. The apartment you told us about was perfect.”
    She waggled her eyebrows at him. “I did mention Libbie was single, didn’t I?”
    He felt the blush reach his cheeks. Dammit, what the hell’s wrong with me? He was used to standing up in court without breaking a sweat. Why was he suddenly getting all bashful when he thought about their cute landlord? “Um, yes, you did. I’m sure we also mentioned we’re gay.”
    She let out a snort. “Sure you are, sweetie. What can I get you this morning?”
    He wanted to argue the point then realized how absolutely stupid that was. Somehow, this woman had seen through their charade.
    The fact that it was a New Age shop didn’t escape him.
    Maybe she’s a witch. He could barely think it and manage to hold back his laughter at the same time. “Just a large coffee, please. House whatever. Black.”
    She nodded and turned to get it, but he didn’t miss the tickled smile on her face. When she returned with his coffee and he reached for it, she grabbed his hand with her free one and stared into his eyes.
    He felt frozen in time and space, locked onto her gaze.
    “Hmm,” she muttered, frowning slightly. “You aren’t what you say you are. Neither of you are, but you have good reasons for it. You’re good men.” She released him and smiled, holding his coffee out to him. “Here you go.”
    He stood there blinking and wondered for a moment if he’d imagined the whole thing. “How much?” he asked, feeling rattled.
    She shook her head. “No charge. Not today.” Her eyes narrowed. “I know you’ll do the right thing by her, won’t you? She needs good men like you.”
    Mumbling his thanks, he took the coffee and hurried out of the shop.
    Something about that woman, what was her name? Mandaline? It unnerved him. Not in a serial killer sort of way. While the peaceful atmosphere of the shop had felt calming, he wasn’t sure he believed in psychic abilities.
    Still, he couldn’t help but feel like all his secrets had been laid bare before her with just the touch of her hand to his.
    He decided to return to the apartment and noticed Libbie’s car was back in her normal parking space. He wanted to spend some time with her. Nonwork time. He assumed when she was in the bakery that she was all business and not able to socialize very much.
    Wouldn’t hurt to ask her out to dinner. He found himself hesitating at their door instead of going in. Allan wasn’t sure what Ben would say about it. Frankly, he didn’t care. Decision made, he turned, strode over to Libbie’s door, and knocked.
    From inside, he heard her faint reply. “Just a minute.”
    He regretted disturbing her when he realized how long it was taking her to get to the door from the sound of her slow progress across the apartment. When she opened the door, the pinched look of pain on her face wasn’t easy to miss.
    “Hi,” he said, his heart aching for her. “Sorry to bug you. I just wanted to know if we could make dinner for you tonight.” Screw going out, it looked like she could barely walk, much less go down the stairs and be sociable in a restaurant. “As a token of our appreciation.”
    When it looked like she might refuse, he quickly added, “Seriously, we don’t want you to bring anything but