Page 22 of The Orc's Sweetheart
“Being the helpful gentleman that I am,” Aurelius continues, unwittingly making himself sound like anything but a gentleman, “I made some suggestions and offered to help her at her home this weekend.”
Needing to put an end to this before they all think I actually invited him over, I finally find my voice and say, “It was a kind offer. Thank you, Aurelius. I do prefer to work on my own, though—as I told you at the store.”
Beryl takes my cue and directs the conversation into safer territory. “What project are you working on this weekend?”
I sit up a little straighter as I get excited about my biggest project yet. “I’m taking off the doors from the kitchen cupboards. I really like an exposed shelving look and want todisplay these pretty dishes that I bought before coming to Starry Hill.”
Calixta raises her eyebrows. “The infamous plates?”
My shoulders sag and I nod. “Yeah. I thrifted a mismatched set from this store next to the hospital I worked at. Sometimes it would get a little overwhelming at work, so I’d walk up and down the aisles on my breaks to clear my head. It was almost like an emotional haven where I could switch off from the hustle of the hospital, where the mortality I stared in the face way too often could disappear for a couple of minutes, and I could focus on finding menial objects that sparked joy. I collected little treasures in that shop and now have a box of cheerful knickknacks I need to unpack. When I found those dishes, it felt like a little farewell present from my favorite shop.”
Bodin doesn’t say anything, but I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face. I wonder what he’s thinking now knowing the plates I was sad about breaking had no actual monetary value to me, it was all just sentimental.
Beryl’s eyes crinkle with a smile. “I’m glad you have something special that’ll help turn your cottage into a home that’s uniquely yours. Changing a building from a house to a home is the best way to put down roots.”
I place my hand on my heart as Beryl’s comment resonates with me, and accidentally brush my arm against Bodin’s chest. He doesn’t move away from the touch, instead he presses his leg a bit more firmly against mine as if lending me his support, or is it an apology? I don’t know which it is, but I’m not hating it.
Pausing with my wine halfway to my mouth, I ask the table, “Talking about dishes, do you know if there is somewhere I candonate the ones that are currently at the cottage? The previous owner kindly left some behind for me and I don’t want them to go to waste.”
“I’ll take them,” Bodin says, lowering his beer. “I’ll pick them up tomorrow. Have to go that direction anyway.”
My eyes snag on the slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth, and I nearly do a little dance in my seat to be the recipient of an almost smile for once. I manage to peel my gaze away and up to his dark eyes. “It’s no rush. I could always bring them to you.”
Bodin’s eyes dip to my mouth and a single butterfly takes flight in my belly. “Uhm, that’s okay. I can pick them up tomorrow. Then maybe I can help you with the doors too. If you want, of course?” he adds hastily.
“Oh, I—”
“I offered first,” Aurelius says, his wings flaring with his words.
Beryl slams a fist on the table. “Tilly is not some toy you call dibs on, Aurelius. It’s her home and she can decide who she wants inside of it. You only show up if you’re invited. Both of you boys got that?”
I try not to giggle at her calling these grown males “boys” and send her a look of appreciation.
Leaning into me, Calixta whispers, “So who will you invite ‘inside’?”
I take a sip of wine to avoid answering the hidden meaning, and the table’s attention shifts to the first karaoke singer taking the stage.
Chapter 10
Bodin
Iwatch Tilly all evening, the way she interacts with Beryl and Calixta, and how relaxed she is in their company. And funny. And sweet.
Could I have been wrong about my assumptions? Could she be different from Cape Easton creatures I’ve encountered in the past?
Tilly shifts in her seat, inadvertently pressing herself tighter against me, but I don’t move an inch. At first, I didn’t move because of Aurelius, though now I’m starting to wonder what my motivations actually are.
Fingering the base of her wine glass, Tilly looks at Beryl. “Okay, I have to admit, I’m a sucker for proposal stories, and I’d love to hear yours.”
Beryl smiles lovingly at Calixta as she answers Tilly, “You know, I was so nervous that day. Thankfully, Bodin helped me set everything up and gave me one heck of a pep talk before.”
Calixta frowns. “Why were you nervous? There was zero chance that I’d have refused you.”
Beryl’s smile is soft and she cups her wife’s cheek. “The person asking always has that inkling of doubt.”
Shaking her head, like the idea is preposterous, Calixta says, “Impossible. You had the beach picnic, at sunset, and we danced with the waves breaking around our feet before you whipped out that seashell ring box. Absolutely no one can say no to that.”
Tilly clutches her chest like she’s enraptured with the idea. “That’s so romantic.”
