Kissing Kendall by Jennifer Shirk Page B

charge.”
    “Oh, right, Rick. Of course I remember him.”
    Rick flirted with her the day she met him, but she hadn’t taken it seriously at the time. Maybe Georgie really was on to something. Rick was attractive and he seemed nice. Being a friend of Brad’s spoke volumes too. And, he owned his own plumbing business. She didn’t think she could find a man with a more perfect or “safe” profession.
    “What did he say to you, Georgie?” Dee asked. “We need some more information on the guy before Kendall commits to giving him her phone number. What exactly did he say about her?”
    “He thought Kendall had the most beautiful smile—which she does, so obviously the man has good eyesight. That’s a plus.” Georgie tapped her chin and thought some more. “Oh, and, uh, he was pumping me for information about her hobbies. That’s a good sign, too. He’s obviously into your intellect and not just your body—another plus.”
    “Ooh, that is a good sign. I give this guy two thumbs up,” Dee said, doing just that.
    Georgie turned to Kendall expectantly. “Well, what do you think? Can I tell him to call you?”
    Kendall hesitated for a fraction of a second, but then nodded, hoping she at least looked confident. “Sure.”
    Dee and Georgie high-fived each other and let out a whoop. “Oh, that’s great!” Georgie exclaimed. “I think it’ll be good for you to at least go out once. If anything, it’ll be a fun distraction.”
    Kendall managed a smile for her friends. Georgie was right—a distraction would be good. It was time to let the whole attraction-to-Brad thing fizzle out if she ever wanted to move on with her life and get him off her brain, and this was definitely a first step. Even though she wasn’t completely on board with dating Rick, she had to remember that in the long run, she’d be thanking herself.
    After all, it was better to be safe with her heart now than sorry later.

Chapter Six
    Brad pulled his police cruiser to the curb, stopping right in front of Kendall’s soon-to-be bakery. Not that he had any business being at her store or spending any more time with her while he was on duty; he had put in more than enough hours helping replace the flooring a few days ago. But after his run-in with a shoplifter at the local convenience store an hour ago, he needed his mood uplifted and found he was seeking her out.
    He had convinced himself there was nothing more to read into his actions. They were friends and he wanted a friendly smile—and maybe even one of Kendall’s homemade muffins, if she were testing out her oven as she said she would be.
    He walked through the door just as Kendall picked up a hammer. As soon she saw him, she broke out into a lovely grin—the grin he’d been counting on to lift his spirits—and it felt as if the lights in the room had tripled in wattage. He stifled a sigh. Every time he thought he’d gotten over her effect on him, she’d go and sucker punch him with a smile—and just like that, he would be toast.
    She looked completely delicious today—better than her homemade banana bread—in her hip-hugging jeans and an aqua tank top that showed off her lean, athletic arms. He just stood there like the fool he was, appreciating the sexy picture she made and drinking her in with his eyes like a dehydrated man.
    Hell, if he couldn’t touch, the least he could do was look.
    “Hey, Brad,” she said in greeting. She slung the hammer over her shoulder and cocked her head. “Did you stop by to say hello, or are you here to cuff me?”
    Cuff her? That image brought him up short.
    He swallowed hard. Oh, yeah , he thought, allowing his eyes to rake over her slender figure. I sure would like to cuff her and take her—
    The radio on his hip went off and the dispatcher’s voice broke him from his Kendall-induced trance. For the best, he supposed. His imagination could only get him into trouble. He reached down and lowered the volume when he realized the call was already