Free Kiss and Make Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk #3) by Robyn Neeley Page A

but notice how charming the cottage was with rustic accents. A real home. He liked the fact that Emma and Jason were next door if she or Penny needed anything. Who would have thought that Caitlin and Emma could be neighborly?
    He reached for a framed photo on the fireplace mantle of Caitlin and the kids taken at the park. He was starting to see what Abby had been trying to tell him over the last few months. Maybe Caitlin had changed. The vulnerability she’d shown earlier today outside the theater was a side he’d never seen. He’d always pegged her for someone who couldn’t care less what others thought.
    While he returned the picture to where it belonged, Caitlin emerged wearing dark skinny jeans and a dark blue top with white polka dots that fell below her shoulders. Josh let out a low whistle. “Wow.”
    “Wow, I look great or wow, you can’t believe you’re going out in public with me?”
    “Definitely not the latter.”
    “Why, Joshua, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were flirting.”
    “Guilty.” He grinned.
    She smiled and slid her feet into the strappy black heels she’d brought down with her that now showed off her perfectly pedicured red toes. “I can’t believe I’m going out twice in one week. This never happens anymore.”
    He twitched at her mention of last night. “Adam doesn’t take you out?”
    She looked away. “Not really.”
    “I’m sorry I was such a jerk at the bar.”
    “It’s fine.” She pulled out a tube of lipstick from her purse and swiped her lips red, checking out her complexion in the mirror above the fireplace.
    “Heat me up.”
    She capped the lipstick and blinked. “Excuse me?”
    He smiled. Yeah, that’s exactly what he wanted her to do to him but with Penny steps away, it probably wouldn’t be appropriate. He pointed to the lipstick. “It’s Heat Me Up. Our classic lipstick.”
    “Oh, right.” She laughed, and he could see a little pink in her cheeks.
    “So, when did it start?” He shoved his hand in his pocket and reached for his car keys. That question had been needling him all day, and he was glad he finally had the courage to ask.
    “When did what start?”
    “You and Adam.” They exited the cottage and headed down the path to his rental car.
    “Oh, that. Recently.” She hopped into the passenger’s side, not offering any more on that subject.
    As they drove in awkward silence,Josh scolded himself for ruining an otherwise perfect day. A few minutes later, he turned the corner to the bakery and spoke, “I’m sorry. It’s really none of my business who you are seeing. If you and Adam are happy then I’m—”
    “Oh, my God!” Caitlin interrupted, eyes glued straight ahead.
    Josh shoved the car into park and leaned against the stirring wheel. Abby hadn’t been exaggerating. The bakery was packed with women.
    “What do you suppose is going on?” Caitlin asked.
    “There’s only one way to find out.” He opened the door and hopped out, noticing that his passenger hadn’t moved. Going around to her door, he tapped on the glass. “Are you coming?”
    She rolled the window down. “I think I’ll wait here.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Most of those women in there hate me.”
    “Oh, come on. That’s not true.” He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Rachel and her friends from last night. Okay, Caitlin had a point. “Don’t let them ruin your evening. You got all dressed up, or do you wear that bright red lipstick every night?”
    “No.” She laughed then sighed. “Not anymore.”
    He reached for the door and opened it, offering his hand. “I’ll protect you.”
    Before he knew it, she’d put her hand in his and that touch sent an electrical shock through him. The last time she’d touched him like that it had led straight to her bed. He doubted the same outcome would happen tonight, not with her admission that she’d recently started dating Adam. Still, he wasn’t ready to call it a night. “We’ll only stay for