Page 14 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
Avery turned towards Jack. Avery’s smile fell. “No. I don’t have any kids.”
“What about siblings?” Jack asked.
His lip twitched. “No. Not much of a family.” He gave a strained laugh.
Jack’s brows furrowed slightly.
“What about you?” Avery rushed out, wanting to get the focus off him. “Do you have kids?”
“No.” Jack shook his head. “But I have lots of siblings. I’m one of the oldest. They’re all grown up now though. And Ordelia, my sister, has a daughter and a stepson. So I’m a proud uncle.”
“One big happy family,” Avery mused.
“Some of the time. There is lots of fighting over whose turn it is to cook or clean. Or who misplaced a favourite wooden spoon.” Jack chuckled, deep and low, which sent a shiver down Avery’s spine. “We all work together and live together. Except Ordelia. She moved out when she got married. We have the bakery down here, and we live upstairs.” He paused. His shoulders straightened, and he met Avery’s gaze. “It’s all pretty simple and basic. But we make do.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Avery gushed.
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Does it?” He paused. “It can be pretty chaotic.”
Avery watched the children with their fathers. They definitely seemed chaotic. So different from the quiet calm of his den. But sometimes, maybe, chaos could be nice. Especially if the alternative was crippling loneliness.
“Jack!” a man called from the back. “Can you come help?”
“Of course, Grady.” Jack started to walk away. He turned back. “See you next time, Avery.”
“Yes. See you next time.”
Jack smiled at him before walking around the back area of the bakery.
That smile did funny things to Avery’s stomach. Avery watched as Jack opened the oven, taking out a tray of pastries. Avery stood at the counter, just basking in the cosy atmosphere of the bakery whilst watching Jack.
“Can I get you anything, Avery?” Lacy asked.
“Ah. No. Thank you. I should get going.” He’d stayed too long. He was being weird just standing here watching Jack. But he liked watching Jack.
“Goodbye,” he said to Lacy.
The bell tinkled as he left. The brisk cold air filled his lungs. Avery tilted his head to the sky. He spotted a gargoyle, perched on the rooftops. Avery paused. He had never seen a gargoyle before. He’d only read about them in his books. He’d thought the ancient race practically extinct. Strange to see one here.
He continued, and a light snow fell. The flakes melted as soon as they touched his skin. He didn’t mind the cold. His dragon blood kept him warm.
But of course, he preferred the heat. Like Carrie, Jack’s familiar, who preferred to be cosied up by an oven. He hadn’t seen Carrie today. She must have been in the back part of the bakery.
Walking along the cobblestone streets, Avery wondered what a person like Jack would think of his home, his den, and all hisbooks. Would he think it cosy? Or would he think it boring and quiet?
A prickle of unease spread along his skin. Because Avery loved his den and his hoard of books. Although, it was too quiet. It would be nice to have someone to share it with, someone like Jack.
Avery flushed at the thought of the handsome man sitting in his armchair, holding one of Avery’s books in his big hands. Pleasure squirmed in his gut as he imagined Jack glancing at Avery as he read one of Avery’s treasured books. Avery could be in his dragon form, curled before the armchair, Jack’s hand resting on his scales. Maybe he’d stroke Avery.
He hummed.
Avery shook his head. But that was silly. Nothing like that would happen. He had no idea how to get someone like Jack to come to his house. Avery lowered his gaze. It would just have to remain another one of Avery’s little sad fantasies.
CHAPTER 8
Jack heard the bell tinkle.
“Guess who’s here?” Lacy whispered in a voice that carried far too much.
