Page 3 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
With some apparent difficulty, Theo looked up. He rapidly blinked.
“Right,” he said, clearing his throat. “Should I go grab my jacket, then?”
“No, that’s okay,” she said, voice high. He looked away, turning his gaze to the stars in the sky.
Lavinia’s heart pounded.Was she imagining it?Moments like this, she thought that maybe, just maybe, he was as attracted to her as she was to him.
“Look,” Theo said, pointing up at the stars. “Doesn’t that look like a bow and arrow?”
“Where?” Lavinia asked. She shifted her focus to the sky, trying to see. “I can’t see it.”
“Right there,” Theo pointed. She put her face beside his to see what he was seeing, but she couldn’t make out the shape.
She pouted. “I don’t see it!”
Theo laughed. “Look,” he said, taking her hand. He brought her finger to the sky and drew along the stars, making the shape of a bow and arrow. Finally, she saw it.
“See?” he asked, turning his face to hers just as she turned to him, and then, they were mere inches apart.
The crooked grin tilting his lips froze, the mirth in his expression giving way to something else, something deeper. She took in a shuddering breath, inhaling the warm scent of his cologne.
His brown eyes darkened. Right then, she thought that he did feel the same way as she did. While she had known of her feelings for a few months now, she had never acted on them, too afraid to ruin the equilibrium between them, but maybe it was time. If Lavinia wanted to find love by the winter—the way her mother had—this was her perfect chance.
Her heart pounded with both trepidation and anticipation, fear and courage mixing together. His lips parted. They were so close she felt the heat of his body just beside hers, the breath exhaling from his lips. Desire spread through her, and courage overtook fear.
She drew closer, holding her breath. He inched toward her, and she felt the warmth of his body. Emotion spiked through her, too complex to comprehend, but it didn’t matter, he was going to kiss her, she could see it on his face, feel the intention in his body.
She closed her eyes, heart soaring. She pursed her lips, drawing closer.
Suddenly, she felt cold air.
Chapter 2
Lavinia opened her eyes and saw that Theo had jumped a foot back, no longer near her. It was like being doused by a bucket of ice water. He was avoiding looking at her. Horror at herself gripped her with frozen fingers.
“It’s getting late,” Theo finally said, and she was astounded by how normal his voice sounded. Lavinia herself was trembling, throat thick. “Do you want to head out?”
“Mhm,” she managed to squeak out. Theo stood, turning toward her. He offered her his hand, but she did not take it. Her hands were shaking, and she didn’t want him to see. She stood on her own, regret chilling through her. All the warmth from a moment ago was long, long gone.
As she followed Theo back to the party, staying a step behind him, she shook her head, mentally smacking herself. She could be so delusional. Of course he wasn’t going to kiss her. God, she was so stupid.
Lavinia felt like her head was made of stone, it felt so heavy. Through a haze, she followed Theo to where Aiden and Saphira were on the side of the dance floor, sharing a glass of champagne.
“No, don’t tell me you’re leaving already!” Saphira said, pouting. She tossed her dark hair back over her shoulder, and Lavinia took a deep breath, giving her friend a brave smile.
“Unfortunately,” Lavinia said. Usually, she would tease, or say something clever, but her brain was hardly working, still processing what had just happened.
“Thanks so much for coming,” Aiden said, giving them both a warm smile.
“Congratulations again,” Theo said, shaking Aiden’s hand while Saphira gave Lavinia a hug. Lavinia reciprocated the hug quickly, not wanting to hold on for fear of letting her emotions overtake her. She could not be messy at her friend’s engagement party; Saphira would worry and fuss, and that was the last thing Lavinia wanted.
When Lavinia pulled away from Saphira, she gave Aiden a hug as Theo kissed Saphira’s cheek. Saphira glanced between Theo and Lavinia, her eyebrows crinkling slightly. As she was about to open her mouth, Lavinia heard someone call Aiden’s name. They all said their goodbyes, but Saphira looked over her shoulder one last time as she was whisked away.
“I love you!” Saphira called, blowing a kiss. “See you soon!”
Lavinia went to say goodbye to Genevieve then, who was dancing with her grandfather, a jovial old man with snow-white hair. After they hugged, Genevieve gave Lavinia a curious glance, looking closely.
“You okay?” Genevieve asked, holding Lavinia’s arm.
