Page 56 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
“I’m really happy we’re friends,” Saphira said, then she hesitated. She didn’t want to assume a deeper relationship than there was, but if he strictly thought of her as a colleague—as someone who was training his baby dragon—then surely he wouldn’t be looking at her the way he was, would he?
“We are friends, right?” she asked. For a moment, she thought she had said something wrong, for a disappointed look flashed across his face. But then he swallowed, his throat moving.
“Yes,” he said, voice hoarse. “Friends.”
She exhaled with relief. “Well, thanks again,” she said, going to hug him goodbye. She went on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck.
His arms came around her torso, strong and steady, theirbodies flush against each other. An electric current shot through her spine, making her shiver. Her heart pounded painfully.
He made a strangled sound, pulling her closer. His hands pressed into her skin, his touch scorching. Saphira’s breath caught in her throat as heat spread through her, liquefying her limbs. She inhaled the sweet scent of mint from his skin, her body aching.
His breathing shallowed. Saphira pulled back, looking at his face, where his eyes were dark pools. His gaze flicked down to her mouth, and his lips parted. Saphira’s pulse quickened with anticipation.
For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, and she leaned closer, but he only clenched his jaw and whispered goodbye.
Chapter 16
Saphira took it easy with the baby dragon training over the next few days, building her strength back up. Every time Aiden came over, he brought her some sort of healthy snack, like nuts or fruit or date bark.
He seemed to be on a mission to ensure she was being taken care of, even if it meant he had to do it himself, which was really sweet. Saphira had been on her own since Nani-Ma died, and she knew she was tough, that she could handle it—be an independent woman and business owner and all that—but it was nice to have someone to lean on, too.
She interviewed and hired two more staff—a dishwasher and a cook—which made a massive difference; she could never have imagined having so much assistance when she’d first opened. She had figured out how to make the finances work, though it meant delaying paying off the rest of the mortgage, which had been her original plan. She was a little disappointed to deprioritize that, because she knew paying it off would make life easier in the long term, rather than this short-term solution, but it truly was no longer sustainable towork without help, as evidenced by her fainting spell. She had never fainted before in her life, and it was frightening that she had pushed herself that hard.
It was a mistake she was determined not to repeat, and the two new staff helped with that wonderfully. Now, she felt like she had so much energy and free time!
She had a moment to herself at the cafe now. The dishwasher and cook were in the kitchen, and Calahan was at the espresso machine, handling the drink orders. He had dark skin and short hair in tight curls and was in graduate school studying Folklore and Mythology, studying to be a professor.
He had enough practice with the drinks now that she trusted him to handle the orders, and he was a nice guy. Saphira had been hesitant to hire new people and let them into the comfortable bubble she and Lavinia had created at her cafe, but Calahan was amiable and had a good disposition, even if he was a bit quiet.
Since she had a spare moment, Saphira went out from the side door, heading for the garden. As she opened the garden door, she heard a voice calling her name from inside the cafe.
“Saphira, wait up!” Theo said, jogging over. She stopped in the entrance. Aiden was working in the garden, and she felt his gaze turn to her.
“What’s up?” she asked Theo.
He looked worried, running a hand through his floppy hair. “I’m afraid Lavinia is working too much,” he said. Aw, she thought to herself. He was a concerned bestie. What a cutie-pie.
“Don’t worry,” Saphira reassured him. “I’ve hired more staff, and the other part-timer is much more adjusted now, so Lavinia’s shifts shouldn’t be as tiring, and I put her down forfewer shifts, as well. I just finalized the schedule today, and it’ll go into effect next week, so she can focus on the Animal Hospital more.”
“Phew.” Theo looked relieved. “Okay, perfect, that’s great news.”
Saphira smiled, squeezing his arm.
Then all of a sudden, Aiden was there, standing at her side. He looked straight ahead at Theo, glaring, a grumpy expression on his face.
“Hi,” Aiden barked out at Theo.
“Hey, man,” Theo said, smiling his boyish smile. He held out a hand, which Aiden looked at for a beat through slitted eyes. Then he took Theo’s hand. He must have been shaking it a bit too hard because Theo yelped in surprise.
Then Sparky was at Saphira’s other side, growling at Theo as well. Saphira was confused and concerned. What had gotten into these two?
“Saphira, I want to show you something,” Aiden said, trying to get her attention.
“I was just leaving,” Theo said, retracting his hand and flexing his fingers. He gave Aiden a strange look. “Bye, Saphira.”
Saphira reached over and gave him a quick hug. Sparky tugged at the end of her skirt, trying to pull her away, and she laughed.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” she said. “Bye, Theo.”
