Page 35 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
He just wished he hadn’t run off like that yesterday. It had been rude and cruel. And Avery deserved so much better. Jack rubbed a hand over his face.
“Jack.” Cas leaned over the bench that separated the front area of the bakery from the back. Cas’s wings fluttered rapidly. “Avery is coming.”
The bell tinkled. Jack turned in time to see Avery enter the bakery. Avery glanced around nervously, then his eyes fell on Jack. A smile blossomed. Then died as quickly as it had appeared as he took in the expression on Jack’s face.
Pain tightened in Jack’s gut.
“I’ll serve.” Jack put down the broom. He wiped his hands on the apron and came around to the front. He could feel his siblings’ gazes burning into him.
Jack was glad no other customers were in the bakery at the moment. As Lacy said, the heavy snowfall must be keeping them away.
But it didn’t keep Avery away. He’d come from the other side of town.
“Hi, Jack.” Avery approached the counter.
“Hi, Avery.” Jack tried to smile. “What can I get you?”
Avery didn’t respond for several moments. Then he spoke, voice only just above a whisper, “What did I do wrong?”
Jack’s ribs squeezed.
“I’m sorry.” Avery leaned forward. “I’m not used to having guests, and I’m so sorry?—”
“You did nothing wrong, Avery,” Jack interrupted. “Nothing.” Jack couldn’t stand the idea that Avery thought he’d been at fault. “We’re just?—”
He met Avery’s brilliant golden eyes, brimming with raw vulnerability. Jack dropped his gaze to the wooden counter. “I just don’t think we’ll work out, you and me.”
Unable to stop himself, he looked into Avery’s eyes. The pain he saw punched Jack in the gut. Swallowing, Jack forced himself to keep his gaze on Avery even though he wanted to look away.
“Oh.” The strain in Avery’s voice cut Jack to the heart. “I see.”
“You’re amazing, Avery,” Jack said quickly. “Really. Someone will be very lucky to have you.”
“But not you.” Avery blinked rapidly, gaze searching Jack’s face. “You don’t want me.”
Jack’s throat constricted. He wanted to take back his words. He wanted to tell Avery how much he wanted him. But he couldn’t. They couldn’t work out when Jack was so beneath the dragon before him. “I’m sorry.”
Avery nodded and took a step back. His lips spasmed into an attempt at a smile. “It’s fine. It’s fine. Thank you for telling me.” Then he turned and rushed from the bakery.
The bell tinkled as Avery stepped out into the snow.
Jack let out a breath and sagged forward against the counter.
This is for the best. We would never have worked out.
Better to end things now before he grew attached and did something foolish, like fall in love and want a future with the rich, pretty dragon.
“Jack,” Lacy said softly.
Jack turned to see his siblings watching him.
“Tea?” She held out the steaming cup.
CHAPTER 19
“Ijust don’t think we’ll work out, you and me.”
Letting out a shaky breath, Avery focused on the white snow blurring in front of him.
