Page 6 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
Sweat broke out on the back of his neck, and his heart beat unevenly fast. It took him a few moments to remember she had asked him a question and was patiently awaiting an answer.
“Yes, his name is Sparky,” Aiden managed to say. “Again, I’m sorry.” He needed to come up with something clever to say beyond apologizing. God, what waswrongwith him?
He stepped toward her, reaching for Sparky. The dragon immediately growled. Ah, there was the misbehaving animal that Aiden knew so well.
The woman laughed. “I don’t think he likes you very much,” she said, smiling at him.
“No one does,” Aiden muttered darkly, but she didn’t hear. He cleared his throat. “Again, sorry. I’m Aiden, by the way. Aiden Sterling.”
“Saphira,” she replied, and a bolt of pleasure ran through him to know her name.Saphira. “And no worries, I love baby dragons. I don’t think I’ve seen Sparky around before …”
She trailed off, as if realizing something. Her gaze shifted to him, and he saw her connect the dots of who exactly Aiden was.
“Oh—you’re Danny’s brother,” she said. “I’m so sorry for your loss; I know those are very belated condolences, but …” She trailed off.
Usually Aiden hated it when people brought up Danny’s death, but she was genuine, her brown eyes wide. He felt a lump rise in his throat.
“Thanks.” He cleared his throat. “I appreciate it.”
Everyone in Starshine Valley had known Danny to some extent, and everyone knew how he’d died, as well. She was right; the condolences were a bit late. Danny had died over two years ago now, but Aiden still appreciated it.
Even so, a wave of grief hit him. Aiden shifted on his feet. “Well, I didn’t mean to be a bother.” He reached for Sparky.
“You’re not a bother,” she said, stepping forward to hand him the baby dragon. Sparky was soothed and came to him calmly as Saphira passed him over.
When she did, her hand brushed against his, and an electric current shot up his arm. His pulse quickened as he regarded her.
Realizing he had been passed over, Sparky snarled. He bit Aiden’s hand, clearly displeased.
“Ah!” Aiden cried, shifting Sparky to his other hand. “God, I hate him.”
“But he’s so cute!” Saphira said. “Aren’t you?” Sparky cooed as she petted his head. But the moment she retracted her hand, Sparky took the chance to try and bite Aiden again.
“Stop it!” Aiden scolded. Saphira giggled.
She had a dimple. For reasons he couldn’t explain, this was quite devastating to him.
He wanted to banter with this lovely woman, to strike up conversation, but he had had a long day, and he was tired, and he didn’t know what to say. This was why usually before going out, he prepared things to say ahead of time, rehearsing the lines in his head.
But she had taken him by surprise.
Ordinarily, if he found himself in such a situation, he bolted the first moment he got. Strangely enough, at the moment hedidn’t want to leave, even if he was feeling awkward and unsure. So he just stood there, like an idiot.
Saphira looked at him curiously, with big, open eyes. There was something so bright about her, so quietly warm. She shone like starlight.
A tendril of hair had come loose from her hair; it was a perfect little spiral. He wanted to trace his finger along it.
Aiden fidgeted, nervous. This was why he didn’t go out; he never knew how to act!
His gaze strayed behind Saphira, where he saw what looked to be the ruined remains of an espresso machine.
“Looks like Sparky isn’t the only mischievous one,” he said, gesturing. “Did a dragon do that?”
As soon as the word left his mouth, he inwardly cringed. That was a dumb question. Of course a dragon did that!God!
“Ah, yeah,” she replied, sighing. “I love the cafe being open
to the little draggos, but they make it a bit difficult tostayopen.” She considered the melted espresso machine, the mess of metal that remained. “A baby dragon cafe is a great idea in theory, but in execution, too many flames.”
