Page 45 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
“Percy, this is Jasper. Jas, this is Percy,” Leo introduced. “Percy will be working with us in the bakery.” He’d told his brother this last night. But honestly Jasper had seemed distracted, like he so often was. “He’ll also be sleeping here too.”
“Sleeping?” Jasper glanced between them. “Are you sure? I definitely heard noises other than snoring coming from your room.” His eyes gleamed. “You made a lot of noise. Kept me awake.”
“Oh!” Percival flushed. “We’re sorry.”
Leo laughed. “Fuck off, Jas.” He put a hand on Percival’s lower back. “Don’t mind him. He’s just a jealous twat.”
For a second, something passed over Jasper’s eyes. But it was gone so fast, Leo wasn’t sure if he’d imagined it.
Jasper chuckled. “I can’t argue with that. Nice to meet you, Percy. Glad to have you working with us. Shall we?”
The three of them headed down to the bakery to start work.
Lachlan and Kit were already downstairs, kneading dough. Trent had one of their father’s cookbooks open. Jasper joined him, and they flicked through the pages, discussing what to bake.
“So what do you want me to do?” Percival glanced around the bakery, rubbing his hands on his apron.
“Firstly, I’ll get you to peel and chop the potatoes whilst I start on the pastry.” Leo grabbed a peeler and placed it by Percival. “You can put the chopped bits in that bowl.”
Percival blinked at the pile of potatoes. “Ah… Can you show me how to do it?” He gave a nervous laugh. “I might have done something like this before. But if I have, I don’t remember.”
“Of course, I can show you.” Leo should have thought of that. After all, why would he remember how to peel potatoes if he’d forgotten everything else? He walked Percival through how to peel and chop potatoes. Then he watched Percival do it.
Percival’s tongue stuck out from between his lips as he worked. Leo really wanted to lean forward and kiss him. But he didn’t want to distract Percival.
So instead, Leo placed a hand on Percival’s hip and felt the warmth of his skin through the shirt. “That’s good. Just like that.”
“It’s okay?” Percival lifted his gaze to Leo’s face.
“You’re doing a great job.”
Percival’s face lit up. And Leo couldn’t control the urge a second longer. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Percival’s. He wanted to deepen the kiss. Actually, he wanted to take Percival upstairs and undress him.
But he’d have to wait until later for that. For now, he pulled back.
“If you need any help today, just ask. I believe in you.” Then Leo reluctantly dropped his hand and went to start on the pastry.
Throughout the morning, he assisted Percival, showing him how to complete tasks before leaving him to it. Percival applied himself with determination. And Percival’s ability to handle piping-hot food was definitely useful. When the pies finished baking in the oven, Percival reached in and pulled out the tray with his bare hands.
“You’re quite handy to have around.” Lachlan poured water into the cauldron on the stove. The scent of lemon, rosemary, and vanilla wafted from the simmer pot as Lachlan stirred.
“I hope so. You’ve all been so kind taking me in.” Percival placed the tray of pies down. “I want to be useful.”
And once again, Leo couldn’t stop himself from touching Percival. He placed his hand on Percival’s back. “You want to taste the pies?”
“Can we? Is that allowed?” Percival asked.
Trent laughed. “You should see Cas. He’s always eating the cookies.”
Leo grabbed a couple of plates. “Come on. The breakfast crowd is mostly gone. We can take a break.”
They took three pies, a few mini muffins, and two cups of peppermint tea into the front area. In the mornings, there was always a rush of customers on their way to work. Then there’d be another rush during lunch. Then again as people made their way home from work.
“Ready to taste the pie you made?” Leo asked.
“I am!” Percival picked up his pie and took a bite. He moaned. “Mmm. That is so good,” he said around a mouthful of food. “I can’t believe we made this!”
Leo smiled as he watched Percival take another bite.
