Page 2 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
“I feel like something sweet today,” the first father said as the gnome children carried their plates to the tables in the bakery, all newly decorated with garlands and baubles. It was December first after all, which meant it was officially the Christmas season.
“Me too,” the second father said as he studied the display. “Although, I don’t know what.”
They leaned towards the display, thick white brows lowered as they tried to decide.
“Really!” the stranger whispered.
Thankfully the gnomes were too busy discussing the pros and cons of the different baked goods to hear.
Who does this arsehole think he is?
Could he really not wait a couple of minutes politely? Did he really think he was so fucking important?
Well, if he couldn’t wait without being a rude fuck, Leo would just make him wait longer.
“I’d be happy to talk you through your options.” Leo grinned at the gnomes. He flicked a glance at the impatient customer with the magnificent red hair. “I can even give you a few samples.”
An exasperated noise escaped the stranger. Leo’s grin stretched wider.
“So these are the different cookies we have.” Leo then went through the different options.
The gnomes nodded and listened.
The gorgeous man’s toe tapped faster. His eyes, fixed on Leo, narrowed. A few times, Leo met his gaze, smiling as broadly as he could. The man’s orange eyes flashed briefly.
Leo almost laughed. But instead, he explained the names and ingredients of the different baked goods to the gnomes. He dragged it out, wanting to make the handsome customer suffer for being so insufferably arrogant.
A few times, as the man tossed or ran his fingers through his hair, bursts of embers flashed. Finally, the two gnomes took their plates of several baked goods to the table with their children.
Leo turned to face the man. He pasted on a chipper smile. “Good day,” he said in his most cheery voice.
The man stalked towards the counter, pulling himself up to his full height. The scent of soot lingered in the air around him. He opened his mouth to speak, but Leo got in first.
“We at the Magic Bakery pride ourselves on serving all our customers with dedication, love, and care so everyone can enjoy their visit. So thank you so much for waiting sopatiently.” Leo dragged out the last word.
The man in front of him took a deep, slow breath. His eyes bored into Leo.
“Now how can I help you today? Is this your first visit to our bakery?”
The man grimaced. “It is. And it will be the last time I come to your dirty little bakery.”
Leo clenched his teeth as he smiled. “Well, we thank you for your visit.”
The man lifted his nose higher in the air. “I needed to eat. And there were issues with my lunch today. This was the first place I found that looked somewhat reasonable. I’m questioning that now.” He slid a long, elegant finger along the counter, as if wiping at imaginary dust.
What a fucking prick!
Leo knew the counter was spotless. He’d wiped it ten minutes earlier.
“And I wouldn’t have come if I’d known the service would be so lacking in standards.” The man flicked his gaze up and down Leo, as if examining a flea he wanted to squash.
Leo gave an exaggerated frown. He placed a hand over his heart. “I’m so sorry for my poor service skills. You’re right. I should have pushed the other customers aside to tend to you and your urgent need for baked goods.”
The man bristled. “Do you know who I am?”
Leo studied the man in front of him. And once again he was struck with how ridiculously attractive he was. Too bad he was a colossal dick. Leo definitely had no interest in any sort of late-night, sexy times with this twat.
“I’m sorry.” Leo tilted his head. “Should I know who you are?”
