Page 20 of Princesses & Pastries
"Nathaniel suits you," I say. "But Nate is better."
"You would say that."
"I do."
Footsteps sound, and we jump apart as if we've done something wrong just as Chef Hooft appears in the doorway. He seems surprised when he spots me and bows immediately.
"Apologies, Your Highness," he says in his thick accent. "I did not realise you were still here."
"I'm just leaving," I say in response. "I will leave Chef Matthews to you." I look at Nate and smile at him.
He returns it. "Your Highness." He bows, but his eyes remain on me.
As much as I don't want to, I tear myself away from both Nate and the kitchen. I'll be back later in order to spend time with him, and no one is going to interrupt us then.
Chapter 10
Coming down to the kitchens has brought me joy for as long as I can remember, but that's nothing compared to how it feels to come down here knowing that Nate is going to be around after so many years without him. Baking has been the thing I do when I want to calm my mind from the intensity of the day, and doing it alone helps with that. Doing it with Nate is on a whole other level.
Ember isn't as wary as she was last night and jumps off my shoulder the moment we enter the room, soaring over to the oven without paying any attention to Nate.
He looks up from the dough he's making. "Well, I guess that's an improvement on yesterday."
"Feed her a couple more times, and I bet she'll be sitting on your shoulder."
"I look forward to it," he responds. "Let me just finish getting the dough ready, and then we can use the dough I made yesterday to make croissants together."
"What do you need more dough for?" I ask curiously.
He chuckles. "I'm not here for a holiday, Evie. I'm working. And part of that means getting ready in case my employers arrive tomorrow morning."
"Oh, right." I frown. I know he's here because of the upcoming visit of the delegation from Wafeland, but it feels so normal, and so much like home, to have him here, that it's hard to remember. "Do you like working in Wafeland?"
"It's been an experience," he says as he encases his dough around butter, just like he did last night.
"Is an experience good or bad?" I ask.
"Both. I like the job. It pays well, and I get to do what I love."
"But?" I prompt.
"But it's not Falhaven," he responds. "I know the job that I want, and this is it. But the only position available is the one for the pastry chef, and I'm not qualified for that."
"You're more qualified than your father," I point out. "He's a baker first and foremost."
Nate shrugs. "I can't make myself have more experience than I do."
My heart aches in response. "I wish I could give you a job."
He laughs. "And that's probably why you're not allowed to."
"I'm not allowed to because King Harold III said so."
"How many grandfathers back is that?" he asks.
I think about it for a moment. "Three, I think."
"I'm sure there was a reason for him making the rule."
