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"When?"
Finn stands upright and backpedals to a hook by the patio door where a second apron is hanging. I assume it's Eris', since she's the only other person who spends time in the kitchen. "Right now." He extends the apron to me. "Unless you'd rather go lay down."
That's the absolute last thing I want to do. Lay down, alone with my thoughts, staring up at my ceiling plotting against Atlas Harland. "I have to warn you," I take the apron and tie it around myself. "I don't know anything about baking other than I love to eat baked goods."
His laugh warms my soul. "I can respect that."
"So, what are you baking?"
"We are baking bread for breakfast tomorrow morning."
"Alright," I bob my head, confidence stirring within me, "let's bake some bread."
Water, yeast, flour, salt, herbs. Mixing ingredients together is easy. Kneading the dough is hard and time consuming, but I'm having so much fun, I ignore the ache in my hands and keep up with Finn's pace. He shows me how to split the dough into sections and weave them so when it bakes it will have a twisted design. We finish our tea as we allow the dough time to rise before slipping the loaves into the oven.
It's so freeing to have time to laugh and learn with Finn. I see why he enjoys the methodical work. It's about measurements and technique, but even an ugly loaf of bread is tasty. At least that's what I tell myself when we pull our bread out of the oven and see the craftsmanship of Finn's compared to my sad and monstrous one.
"Do you want to try some?"
I nod, even though the tea is starting to do its work in tiring me. He takes my loaf and carefully slices two pieces for us to try. I sink my teeth into the warm morsel and close my eyes in delight.
"How do you feel?" he asks, drawing my gaze. "Eating the fruits of your labor?"
"It feels … good." I smile. Although my first attempt at making bread doesn't look pretty, at least it's delicious.
"I think baking might be your new hobby." He brushes his hands together over the sink to rid himself of crumbs.
"You think so?" I follow his lead and do the same.
He bobs his head and grins. "If you ever find yourself unable to sleep, you are always welcome to join my late-night baking sessions."
I return his smile. "I'd like that, Finn." Especially since I barely sleep well these days due to nightmares anyway. I suppose I can add the horrendous encounter with Atlas to my ever-growing list of things that keep me up at night.
I watch Finn untie his apron, clearing the kitchen for the night, and without thinking about it, I crash into him, wrapping my arms around his torso. "Thank you," I breathe.
"For what?"
"Being my friend."
He slips his arms around my back and squeezes. "It's an honor."
Finn walks me up to my room and waits for me to close my bedroom door before heading up to the fourth floor. The chamomile tea and the warm bread I just ate finally take over and as soon as my head hits my pillow, I doze off, and thankfully don't have any nightmares.
Seventeen
Shaye
The next morning when I make my way downstairs for breakfast, Eris tells me Atlas left early to prepare for some meetings, but I know the truth. After our encounter last night, he's distancing himself. I'm grateful I don't have to sit at the table and pretend that everything is alright between us, especially with Eris and Nyx watching us with special interest, but it is only prolonging the inevitable. In just a few hours, I'll have a hand-to-hand combat lesson, and I intend to get a few good licks in, if I can.
"You're quiet this morning, Kitarni," Nyx's voice slices through my anxious thoughts, drawing my gaze. "You alright?"
I bob my head and scoop a spoon full of eggs into my mouth. "Just tired is all. Didn't get much sleep."
"And what were you doing up so late?" He bounces his eyebrows playfully and even though he means no harm with his teasing, my skin burns hot, and my cheeks heat.
"I – uh… I was just… "
"Baking," Finn kindly comes to my rescue, earning the attention of everyone at the table. "She decided to learn how to bake with me and I dare say, she's a promising pupil." He lifts a piece of bread, showcasing what we created. "She helped make this."
