Page 41 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
Aiden opened the door for her, and she sat in the passenger seat, smiling up at him. Before he could open the back door for Sparky, Sparky leapt onto Saphira’s lap. She yelped.
“Sparky,” Aiden scolded, but Saphira laughed.
“It’s okay,” she said, as Sparky got comfortable. She put her arm around the baby dragon.
Aiden got in the car and started driving. He rarely had cause to drive. Because he lived so close to Main Street, he usually walked, but the family estate was higher up in the hills and required driving.
It was, of course, made to be reached by dragon, so he supposed that would be a perk of Sparky maturing.
As he drove, Aiden stole a glance toward Saphira. Sparky was on his hind legs, leaning against the open window, wind in his open mouth. Saphira was watching him fondly, smiling to herself as the breeze tousled her hair.
Before he knew it, they arrived at the gates. He punched in the code, letting them in. Anxiety overcame him. He wished to stay in the little bubble, with just Saphira and Sparky.
He wished they could live in their own little world, and not interact with anyone. His family was opinionated and loud—what if Saphira got scared off?
She didn’t seem worried as he pulled up to the front, parking. The stable master greeted them almost immediately, taking Sparky with her to be with the other dragons. Sparkyhappily went with her to the stables; he knew he was well taken care of here.
Saphira watched Sparky going away, a concerned expression on her face.
“The dragons are housed on the other side of the property,” Aiden told Saphira, as they walked up to the front door. “They will take good care of Sparky, so no need to worry.”
“Okay, good.”
She released a breath, giving him a smile. She was wearing heels, he noticed belatedly. Her face was so much closer to his now, tantalizingly close. He could so easily steal a kiss.
Saphira looked around, and Aiden shook his head, trying to clear out the distracting thoughts related to her lips.
“I’ve never been to a Drakkon family home,” she said. “I didn’t realize it would be so … big.”
She looked overwhelmed then, taking everything in, the seemingly endless estate.
“You really didn’t have to come,” Aiden said. Her face fell.
“Did you not want me to?”
His eyes went wide. “No, of course I did! I love spending time with you. My family is … a lot.”
“But that’s so wonderful.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.” She wrinkled her nose at him, as if he was so silly. “I don’t have anyone.”
He mentally smacked himself, cringing. God, he was so insensitive.
“Now come on.” She rang the doorbell, and he heard it sound. A moment later, the door opened, and they entered.
Immediately, they were bombarded by noise, the childrenof his older cousins chasing each other across the well-lit hall, while the adults had loud and spirited conversations on various sofas and lounge chairs. A familiar maid appeared to take Aiden’s jacket and Saphira’s shawl.
Aiden felt overwhelmed, reacquainting himself with the usual Sterling environment, but then Saphira tossed her hair back, the bangles on her arm jingling, and it was enough to center him.
“Aiden’s here!” Genevieve announced to the household, seeing them at the front door. She picked up the end of her dress and came bounding over, revealing bare feet. She was nineteen, but looked younger, her dark hair straight and tucked behind her ears.
She stopped in front of them, staring at Aiden expectantly. He blinked at her, earning an eye-roll from his younger sister. Belatedly, he remembered his manners.
“Saphira, this is my sister, Genevieve,” Aiden said, introducing her. “Ginny, this is Saphira.”
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Saphira said, as she and Ginny hugged and kissed each other’s cheeks.
