Page 25 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
Excitement ran through her. She reached under the counter for her purse, opening it to pull out her lipstick and compact mirror. She held both up, reapplying her lipstick.
As she did, she felt Theo’s eyes on her, his gaze intense. He had finished his cookie and was sitting completely still,watching her. Her pulse quickened, her hand shaking ever so slightly.
Swallowing, she clicked the cap back onto her lipstick, putting it back in her purse with her handheld mirror. She pressed her lips together, both to smooth the color and out of restlessness. She turned away, unable to bear Theo’s eyes on her and the heat that scorched through her as a result.
“Wait a sec,” Theo said. She turned back to him.
Her skin prickled with goosebumps as he walked around the bar, walking behind the counter toward her. She was so shocked, she didn’t even tell him he technically shouldn’t be behind the counter.
He stepped straight in front of her. Nerves spiked through her, both sharp and sweet. She felt her heart pounding loudly in her ears.
“What is it?” she managed to say, voice breathless.
He didn’t respond. His eyes were hyper-focused and trained on her lips. Involuntarily, her mouth parted. He brought his hand up to her face, and her throat went dry.
He cupped her face in his hand, and then, ever so gently, ran his thumb across the very edge of her bottom lip. The movement was achingly tender. Sparks shot up her spine.
Her eyelids fluttered. Desire lit through her, and she inched closer, unable to stop herself, drawn toward him like a moth to a flame, not caring if it would be her demise.
Slowly, he pulled his finger away, then held it up for her to see. She saw a streak of crimson color.
“Your lipstick,” he said, voice rough. “Fixed it.”
His gaze dropped to her mouth, his eyes lidded. Lavinia stared at him, unable to speak. When he brought his eyes backup to meet hers, she saw they were dark, burning. He looked as if he wanted to say something. Lavinia held her breath as he opened his mouth.
But then it was as if he thought better of it.
“See ya,” he said, voice strangled.
He abruptly left, leaving her feeling unsteady.
Chapter 10
After work, Lavinia went home to freshen up before the date. The movie wasn’t until eight, when it got fully dark in the park, and she had about an hour before then. She realized it might get a bit late for dinner after the movie, so she filled a tote bag with pretzels and candy; she was already getting hungry.
Lavinia also grabbed a blanket for her and Calahan to sit on, then stole one of her mother’s expensive shawls to wear because she knew it would get cold.
After she was ready, she texted Genevieve that the outfit had been a success, informing her of the date tonight. While Lavinia was touching up her makeup, her phone rang. She swiped on the video call, setting her phone against the mirror.
“Hiii,” Lavinia said, applying a layer of mascara.
“Ooh, are you getting ready?” Genevieve asked, her bare face filling up Lavinia’s phone screen. “Let me see.” Lavinia walked back, spinning for Ginny. “Love it.”
“I’m going to head out soon.” Lavinia had to stop applying mascara because she was smiling and her eyelashes wouldsmudge. She glanced down at her phone, where Genevieve looked very pleased.
“Exciting!”
“Is that Lavinia I hear?” Saphira’s voice called from behind Genevieve. Genevieve lifted her phone from her position on the couch, which Lavinia recognized as the couch at Saphira and Aiden’s place. Saphira came into view, and Lavinia waved.
“Ooh, you look hot,” Saphira said, squishing next to Ginny. Now both of their faces filled the screen. “Where are you going?”
“I have a date,” Lavinia said, giggling. Saphira gasped, eyes wide.
“A date?! With who?!”
“Calahan!”
Saphira’s jaw dropped, voice increasing an octave. “CalahanCalahan?”
