Page 47 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
“Do you want to come in?” she asked, not wanting him to go, either. “Maybe have some tea?” His eyes crinkled, as if she’d stolen the thought from his head.
“Yes,” he replied. “Let me just get Sparky.”
He went to retrieve the sleeping baby dragon, and Saphira let them into the quiet cafe, turning on a small section of lights by the lounge chairs and fireplace. It felt right, just the three of them, even with Sparky asleep. Like they were a little family.
But that was a dangerous thought, one she could not entertain.
On the topic of family, Saphira wondered what it would be like to grow up with a family like the Sterlings.
“You’re right, I do kind of have a headache,” Saphira said with a smile, setting about preparing some green tea for them. “I don’t mind, though.”
After the tea was ready and Sparky was in a little bed, she and Aiden sat on the lounge chairs. Since the cafe was empty, and it had rained that day, it was a little chilly, so Aiden quickly lit the fire. She watched the muscles in his shoulders move as he set the logs down, the nimble fingers of his hands as he struck a match. The low glow of flickering flames warmed the space between them.
“My family is a lot, but it was perfect for someone like Danny, who was always goofing off or playing around,” Aiden said, sitting down on the lounge chair. She handed him his tea. “He had this whole host of cousins to play with, and aunts and uncles to perform for. He was always surrounded by a crowd; he hated being alone.” Aiden laughed lightly. “Whereas I was the opposite. I was always hiding away, trying to find moments of peace and quiet.”
“That is so different from my upbringing,” Saphira told him, teacup warming her palms. “I only ever had Nani-Ma; it was always just the two of us.” She thought about it for a second. “Iwas an accident, I think,” Saphira said quietly. “I don’t think I was supposed to be born.”
Aiden looked affronted by that. He was silent for a moment, his eyebrows wrinkled as he thought. “You’re no accident, Saphira,” he said, voice low. “You’re a dream come true.”
Her cheeks felt warm at that. She smiled at him, hoping he knew just how much she appreciated the words. They continued talking, until Saphira finished her tea. She set the cup down, feeling so relaxed, even though the day had been long.
She yawned, and Aiden put his cup down as well, standing. “You should get some rest,” he said, picking Sparky up with one arm.
“That’s probably a good idea,” she said, even though she loved being around him. Saphira walked Aiden to the door, where he paused.
“You can come to family dinner whenever you want,” he said, being a little awkward about it. “I’m not sure if you’d want to, but if you ever did, it’s an open invitation.”
“I’d love that,” she said, smiling wide. “Thanks again.”
“Goodnight, Saphira,” he said, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. His lips brushed against her skin, sending a tingle down her spine.
She felt the scrape of his stubble against her face and lingered there for a moment, cherishing the contact. Saphira closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his shuddering breath. Her heart was hammering against her chest, blood roaring in her ears.
Her knees went weak, and she swayed. His free hand came onto her waist, steadying her. Tension reverberated through her.
Saphira’s dress was a thin silk, and she felt the imprint of his fingers against the curve of her waist. Her body pulsed.
She stepped closer—but Sparky was between them, in Aiden’s other arm. The baby dragon hissed, eyes opening into slits. He was irritated to be woken, glaring at the both of them.
The moment broke.
Saphira smiled, stepping back. “Goodnight,” she whispered.
He swallowed, his eyes dark.
“Goodnight,” he replied, voice rough.
Chapter 13
Aiden and Saphira continued working together, training in the evenings, and fixing up the garden during the day. Whenever Saphira had a spare moment, she popped over to help Aiden with whatever task he gave her, but for the past week, she hadn’t even had those moments to spare.
The cafe was incredibly busy. Every day had been packed—which was excellent for business—but it wasn’t the best for her physical state. She was exhausted, even more so now that Lavinia had started her internship with the vet.
Saphira had hired another part-timer to take over the days Lavinia wouldn’t be in. He was a graduate student who was a bit slow to learn the ropes.
Because he didn’t do as much as Lavinia did, Saphira had to pick up his slack, on top of her own work.
Which was why, a few days later, by the end of the work day, she was moving sluggishly enough that Lavinia looked concerned.
