Read Raspberry Crush for Free Online Page B

do."
    "Yeah," Billy said with a laugh that was mostly nerves. "My friend got me the job a couple months ago," she added, motioning toward Melissa on the other side of the counter. That was when she noticed Melissa, Katie, and Des all watching like they'd paid for seats. Abruptly, they averted their eyes and pretended to straighten things behind the counter.
    Seth must've noticed, because his eyes dropped to the floor as his mouth curved into another grin. Then he looked back up at Billy. And she really took him in—the darkly golden hair, the navy sweater that covered his broad shoulders and strong chest, the fresh-looking softness of his skin— Wait. Seth was clean shaven now. Back in the day he'd exuded a scruffy kind of sexiness; his favorite outfit had been jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. Now he looked more clean-cut. Older, more filled out. The same, only better.
    Swallowing hard, Billy tried to steady her nerves, which were still reeling. For the most part shock had worn off, and the reality of seeing Seth again had begun to sink in.
    Automatically, her body and mind responded to his presence—especially the vivid deja vu rushing through her mind, reminding her of Seth's magnetism. His sexy grin, his hypnotic gaze, the rich sound of his laugh—it all just rattled her senses.
    Wiping her palms on her apron, she stopped fiddling and snapped into focus. "I was working at Net Circle up till about six months ago. I've been working here until I find something else. What about you? Are you just home visiting?"
    Seth explained about his mother's move to Dublin, and selling her house. Though it wasn't logical, the notion of Seth selling his family's beach house stung Billy a little. She supposed, in the corners of her mind, she was still touched by memories of holding Seth on the beach... of Seth kissing her softly, deeply, under Fourth of July tiki torches and moonlight.
    "...so when Sally asked me to fill in for her today and meet with the caterer, I figured it was the least I could do."
    Smiling, Billy continued to nod, feeling vaguely like a PEZ head.
    Seth asked, "Should we sit, or...?"
    "Oh, right, good idea," Billy said, moving past him, feeling some heat emanating off Seth's body as she passed. This reunion probably called for a hug, but the counter had been between them before, and now it felt like the moment was lost. She stopped short at a free table and turned quickly, accidentally brushing her shoulder against Seth's elbow, which sent a shiver rippling up her arm. She swallowed away the tightness in the back of her throat. "Okay, let's sit right here—except I forgot my—Oh!" She almost bumped into Seth as she whipped around. Now his eyes looked deeply into hers, and a rush of heat flooded Billy's chest. "I forgot the order book," she explained, smiling almost shyly. "I'll be right back."
    When she walked behind the counter, she caught Melissa, Katie, and Des all huddled by the register, staring again. Rolling her eyes, she almost laughed. "Could you guys be more obvious?" she whispered as she passed by them and pushed on the door to the back.
    Immediately Melissa and Katie followed. "Omigod, when he came in, I didn't realize he was Seth," Katie said approvingly.
    "So that's Seth? The 'one that got away'?" Melissa asked, then whistled. "I swear, I don't know how you snag these guys."
    "What do you mean?" Billy said, a little surprised by that comment.
    "No, no, I just mean... he's a hottie."
    Somehow that wasn't clarifying much, but right now Billy was too flustered to pursue it. Seth was out there, and there was catering business to be dealt with.
    Oh, yeah, and she also had to remember how to breathe.
    "What do you think—should I lose the apron?" she asked. On the one hand, Billy was tempted to keep it on to cover her recent weight gain, but on the other, her red sweater and blue jeans said "cazh," while the apron said "serving wench."
    "I'd lose it," Katie said.
    Melissa held out her hand for Billy to