Page 19 of Chasing Stripes

Their eyes locked, and that same electric awareness crackled between them. Artemis suddenly found it difficult to breathe properly. The golden handprints on her waist pulsed brighter, sending waves of warmth through her body that pooled low in her abdomen igniting sensations she’d never experienced with such intensity.

The kitchen door swung open with deliberate force, breaking the moment.

“I tried to wait in the kitchen, I really did,” Tilly announced, fanning herself vigorously with a menu. “But sweet merciful moonbeams, the temperature in this room rose about twenty degrees! Are you two trying to set off the fire sprinklers?”

“Tilly!” Artemis hissed, mortification burning across her cheeks.

Bartek’s lips twitched, a ghost of a smile flickering across his otherwise composed features. “Ms. Honeysage,” he acknowledged with a slight nod.

“Oh, please call me Tilly. Anyone who looks at my niece the way you do should use my first name.” She winked dramatically. “Now, can I interest you in some coffee? Tea? A cold shower, perhaps?”

“Aunt Tilly!” Artemis wanted nothing more than for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.

To her surprise, Bartek’s shoulders relaxed slightly, the formal tension in his posture easing. “Coffee would be welcome, actually. Black.”

“Coming right up!” Tilly beamed, seemingly delighted by his acceptance. She bustled behind the counter, deliberately bumping Artemis with her hip as she passed. “Don’t mind me, you two. Pretend I’m invisible. Just the helpful coffee fairy.”

Artemis shot her aunt a warning glare that went completely ignored.

“Your aunt seems... enthusiastic,” Bartek observed quietly.

“That’s one word for it,” Artemis muttered. “Meddlesome’ is another. ‘Shameless’ also comes to mind.”

“I heard that!” Tilly called cheerfully. “And I prefer ‘helpfully observant’ or ‘romantically optimistic’!”

A genuine smile tugged at Bartek’s mouth, transforming his austere features. Artemis found herself staring, captivated by how the expression warmed his eyes, softening the hard angles of his face into something approaching approachable.

The bell above the door chimed again.

“Well, this is cozy,” Kalyna’s voice rang out. She surveyed the scene with undisguised glee, her amber eyes darting between Artemis and Bartek. “Mayor Leonid sends his regards, Bartek. Something about a community integration meeting you’re both supposed to attend tomorrow? But I see you’ve started the... integration... process early.”

Bartek straightened, switching seamlessly into a more professional demeanor. “The meeting. Right.” He cleared his throat. “I should get back to the bar. We open in an hour.”

“So soon?” Tilly pouted, placing a mug of coffee on the counter. “But you haven’t tried my special cinnamon scones yet! They pair wonderfully with sexual tension and awkward silences.”

“Tilly!” Artemis wanted to melt into the floorboards.

Bartek surprised them all by picking up the mug and taking a long sip. “Another time, perhaps,” he said, his voice somehow deeper than before. “Thank you for the coffee.”

“Anytime, handsome,” Tilly replied with a wink. “Our door is always open to neighbors—especially ones who leave magical handprints on my niece.”

SEVENTEEN

Artemis briefly considered whether it was possible to die from embarrassment. The scientific literature suggested no, but she might prove to be the first documented case.

Bartek’s gaze returned to her, something unreadable flickering in the depths of his eyes. “The town council meeting tomorrow. Will you be there?”

The question surprised her. “I—yes. Tilly mentioned I should attend.”

He nodded, a decision seemingly confirmed. “Good.” The single word carried unexpected weight.

Their eyes held for a moment longer than necessary. The handprints pulsed with renewed vigor, and several pastries in the display case mysteriously rose an inch before settling back down.

“Fascinating,” Kalyna murmured, watching the floating pastries with scientific interest.

Bartek drained his coffee and set the mug down carefully. “Until tomorrow, then.” He turned to leave, his movements fluid and controlled.

“Until tomorrow,” Artemis echoed softly.

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