Page 17 of The Tea Witch’s Secret

"They're small baked goods stamped with intricate patterns on the top and special celebratory fillings inside," I said, pulling Pepper's attention back to me. "You need special moulds to make them."

"You have some with you, don't you?" Eva said, a grin appearing on her face. I recognised that look. She was up to something.

I cleared my throat. "Yes, I brought some with me from home."

"That's perfect," Eva said, the gleam in her eyes only getting stronger. "Why don't you teach Pepper how to make them?"

I felt my stomach tighten, not because I didn't want to, but because I wasn't sure it was a good idea to spend more time alone with Pepper. Especially after what happened last night.

Pepper was still staring at me. "I would love to learn how to make them."

My stomach felt ticklish from the way she was looking at me. I swallowed hard. "I can show you. I have some dried lotus seeds too."

"Do we need those?" Pepper asked.

"For the filling. They'll need to be soaked overnight."

"We can do that. Why don't you bring them down when you get a moment and we can sort it?"

"I will." I stared at her, not really sure what was happening, only knowing that I was standing in the middle of the room holding a wooden comb and talking about spending more time alone with the confusing woman in front of me.

"That sounds great. I look forward to it," Pepper said, a slight smile tugging her mouth up.

"All right," I replied.

A silence hung in the room, and I wasn't sure why nobody else was saying anything. It was never quiet when Eva and Max were together.

Pepper wiped her hands on her apron. "All right. We'll figure out the details when you bring the lotus seeds down later, but let me know if there's anything else I can do to help you enjoy the festival."

"We will, thank you," Eva said.

Pepper said goodbye and headed out of the door, only pausing so that she could look back at me, making my stomach flutter in that strange way once again.

The moment the door clicked, Eva was on her feet and taking the comb from me. "Sit and I'll do your hair," she said.

"There's really no need..."

"We have this conversation every time. You did mine, I'll do yours."

There was really no arguing with her, especially when she got an idea in her head. I sat down and let her pull out the pin holding my hair in place and setting it on the dresser so that she could brush my hair.

I had to admit that it was soothing when she pulled the comb through it. I would never tell her because I didn't want to make her feel like she had to do it, but I loved the way Eva brushed my hair.

"So, what was that about?" she asked, her question directed at me.

"What was what about?" I replied, not trying to be obtuse. I just had no idea what she looked so excited and sparkly about.

"That tension! I thought there was something between you and Pepper when I saw you at the bonfire, but I wasn't sure. I am now," she said, grinning from ear to ear. "You and Pepper, huh? I'm impressed. I thought Max was going to be the first to succumb to romance."

"Oi!" Max protested, but he was quickly stopped in his tracks by a look from Eva. And for good reason, he was definitely making eyes at Hugo the hare ward, even I'd noticed it.

"I've not succumbed to anything," I said, wondering what made her say this. Was she making it up, or did she pick up on something I simply hadn't? That did tend to happen, especially when it came to reading other people and their intentions.

Eva cackled and looked pleased with herself. "Sure, sure. You can deny it all you want, but I saw a sparkle between the two of you. That woman is interested in you."

"She is?"

"Definitely. There's no mistaking the way she looked at you," Eva said.