Page 7 of Party With the Kraken
Unaware of my inner struggle, Bodin takes Juniper’s bag from me and places it on the cart as he speaks to her. “I’ve heard a lot about you, from both my wife and my ma. Thank you also for the teapot you suggested for Tilly, she’s been obsessed with it since my ma’s last visit to your shop.”
Shop? What shop? How can Bodin know more about my goddess than I do? This needs to be rectified immediately.
Juniper beams at Bodin. “I’m so glad Tilly liked it. Has your mom named her goose yet?”
Bodin’s eyes round as he nods slowly. “Oh yeah, she has. But I’ll let her tell you the name when you see her. She’s very proud of it. ”
Juniper’s giggle tinkles through the air and I just about melt into a puddle. I want to bottle that sound and listen to it on repeat.
“Deal,” she says. “Well, it was nice to meet you. We’re heading into town. See you at the party later?”
“Tilly and I will see you there.” Bodin waves us off and finishes adjusting the bags on his cart.
Juniper naturally takes my arm again and I’m so happy that I almost lean down and kiss her. But I can’t, not yet. I don’t want to freak her out. So I just give her a small smile while my hearts go galloping faster and faster.
I filter through possible topics of interest for her, but I’m so flustered I land on the oddest question. “What’s your favorite type of rain?”
“My favorite type of rain?” Juniper asks carefully, repeating the question back to me as if confirming she heard me correctly.
I nod. “Yeah. Do you like gentle rain, windy rain, pounding rain, or total storms?”
Juniper’s nose wrinkles as she thinks about it. “I guess it depends on my mood, the season, and where I am. When I’m at my shop, I like gentle rain that I can watch through the windows. If I’m at home, maybe stormy rain where I feel safe and can enjoy watching the lightning flash in the distance. But storms are just straight-up scary. How about you?”
“I enjoy a good storm. They always wash up good treasures. If a storm happens to come to the island, you don’t have to bescared. I promise I’ll protect you.” I flex my biceps underneath her touch to emphasize my words.
Juniper giggles. “I might hold you to that.”
Wanting to know everything there is about her, I reach for another random topic. “How about drinks? Coffee? Tea? Sweet or bitter?”
Juniper brings her free hand to also rest on my arm, locking her fingers together as she gets more and more relaxed with me. “I’m totally a tea girly. Give me a lavender matcha latte any day of the week.”
“I’ll remember that,” I promise, already mentally making a list of everything she likes.
Peering up at me, Juniper asks. “And you?”
“I’m more of a salted cold foam cold brew type of creature.”
Juniper’s eyes narrow as she processes. “I can see that, yeah. I’ll remember that too.”
She wants to remember things about me? This is definitely a good sign.
I almost trip over a pebble in the road as I stare at Juniper. I open and close my mouth a couple of times as I try to find something charming to say, but my mind is blank.
After an uncomfortable length of time, which in all fairness is probably less than ten seconds, I ask, “Ready to be wooed by Starry Hill?”
Juniper gives me a sidelong glance, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Oh, is this a wooing situation?”
“I’m hoping it’ll be.”Retreat, Viggo. You can’t be this straightforward. It sounds desperate.
The corners of her mouth lift into a pleased line. “Woo away, Viggo.”
I choose the most scenic route that takes us into town, knowing it’s the best way to show off Starry Hill’s charm. Then, setting in motion my first step of this courtship, I explain whereI’m leading her. “Can I treat you to some lunch at The Flowering Teapot? Most of the shops are closed today because everyone is helping out with the party setup, but the café stayed open.”And that way I can sit down with you and stare into your beautiful eyes as I get to know you.
“Oh, yes, please. I’ve heard lots about The Flowering Teapot from Doc Calla and I’ve been dying to see it and try some of their treats,” Juniper says, clearly excited.
“Anything for you,” I breathe out.
Juniper squints up at me. “You say that now… ” She wiggles her eyebrows, then proceeds to bestow the most radiant smile on me that I want to imprint on the backs of my eyelids so I can see it even when I close my eyes.
