Page 59 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
Mrs. Cartwright liked Saphira—but perhaps she only liked Saphira as long as Saphira knew her place. And parading around with a baby dragon of her own was evidentlynotSaphira’s place.
“But why would they ask you?” Mrs. Cartwright asked, blinking.
Saphira’s face got hot. “I don’t know,” she replied. Then she cleared her throat and forced a smile. “Anyway, enjoy!”
Saphira left, walking away, Sparky trotting closely by her side. As she did, she felt other patrons of her cafe wondering the same thing, their questioning glances making her bristle. The cafe was small; those who were listening would have heard the exchange.
Aiden, thank goodness, hadn’t, since he was off in the opposite corner. She didn’t want him doubting her credibility, too.
But whatwereher credentials, exactly? She wasn’t from a Drakkon family. Itwasstrange that Aiden had asked her to train Sparky. This wasn’t a task for her.
As if sensing something was off, Sparky pawed at her leg, making a little sound. When she looked down, he lifted his arms, wanting her to hold him. She picked him up, and he licked her face, nuzzling against her neck until she smiled.
Going forward, Saphira tried to ignore the looks and little comments as best as she could, focusing instead on what was important, which was Sparky.
She kept trying to help the baby dragon socialize, Aiden helping when he could.
There were a couple of small mishaps, when the dragon tried to steal another baby’s food, or started growling, or puffed smoke at another baby, but after a few days of practice, Sparky got better at socializing. It was just about repeated exposure to other dragons.
Lavinia wasn’t at the cafe as much, because of her shifts at the Animal Hospital, but when she was there, she spent the entire time giggling, poking and pinching Saphira’s side, and making the occasional kissy face at Saphira when Aiden’s back was turned.
Behind the counter, Saphira pinched Lavinia’s side, and Lavinia yelped.
“Ow!”
“Stop being silly,” Saphira said.
“I didn’t even say anything!” Lavinia protested.
“You don’t need to, I can read it all over your face.”
“If you’re reading something on my face, that’s not my fault.”
“It most certainly is! You know this is why I didn’t tell you …” Saphira trailed off, wanting to enjoy tormenting Lavinia. The payoff was worth it. Lavinia’s eyes went wide.
“Tell me what?!”
“Nothing.”
“Saphira.” Lavinia grabbed Saphira’s shoulders, shaking her. “Tell me!”
“Mm, I’ll think about it.”
“Please.” Lavinia seized Saphira’s arm, pulling her to the back. Saphira laughed at the desperate expression on Lavinia’s face.
“Okay, okay, don’t be dramatic about it,butI think you were right.”
“I often am right, but about what specifically?”
“I think I do like …” Saphira trailed off, this time unwillingly. She couldn’t say his name.
Saphira covered her face with her hands. God! She was acting like a preteen with a crush!
Lavinia gasped, immediately understanding. “Oh my god, this is so exciting. I love this development. So what’s the plan?”
“Plan?” Saphira looked at her friend, gobsmacked. “There is no plan! I don’t even know if he likes me!”
“Are you crazy?” Now it was Lavinia’s turn to look astonished. “Of course he does!”
