Page 21

“Good.”

“Alright, put them in the ‘buy’ pile.”

The next hour flew by with Korinnae trying things on and bringing her favorites out to show her uncle, who responded with variations of “fine,” “that works,” and “if you like it.” Each time, Korinnae’s initial excitement dimmed just a little, and she redirected to Ria. By the third shop, Ria had gathered so many shopping bags that Asterion took them from her without asking and carried them all in one hand. When his fingers brushed hers during the handoff, her skin tingled at the warmth of his hand. It was brief and accidental, yet it stuck to her brain.

“You could give my mom a run for her money with this shopping spree,” Ria joked. “My feet are getting tired and I’m hungry and it’s way past lunch time. Should we get something to eat?”

“Ice cream?” Korinnae suggested, her eyes pleading.

Asterion finally spoke. “We should eat something more substantial,” he said. “But quick.” Despite his stoic expression, his impatience was clear and he was in a hurry to finish this day of shopping.

“Hmm…” Ria tapped at her chin as she searched around them. “Oh, I see a coffee shop. They probably have sandwiches and stuff.”

She led the way to the coffee shop on the corner of the pedestrian street, a small place with outdoor tables and a chalkboard menu. After picking out their food and drinks, Ria headed to the counter while Asterion and Korinnae searched for an empty table.

The barista was a cyclops, young, broad-shouldered, with a single amber eye that fixed Ria from the moment she reached the counter. He leaned forward while she ordered.

“Haven’t seen you in here before,” he said.

“Just moved to the area,” she replied.

“Yeah? Welcome to Alindale.” His smile widened. “First coffee’s on me.”

Oh brother. His interest was clear as day. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.” He slid her cup across the counter, his movements smooth and deliberate. “I’m Davos. I’m here most mornings, if you ever want to come back.”

Ria took the cup. “Thanks, Davos.”

“Anytime.” He winked, which, with one eye, was really more of a blink, but the intent was there.

After giving the cyclops the rest of her order, she turned back toward the table where Asterion and Korinnae were sitting, where the minotaur’s stare practically bore into her. His posture remained stiff like it was the whole day, but he was gripping the edge of the table so hard that she could see the tension in his forearms from six feet away.

“Here you go,” Davos said, setting down a large tray of food and drinks in front of her. “Good call on the ham and cheese bagels, they’re my favorite too. If you need anything else…”

She ignored the meaning in his words. “No, I think we’re good. Thanks, Davos.”

Picking up the tray, she walked over to the table, then distributed the food and drinks. “I also got you a coffee,” she said to Asterion.

He snorted. “I said I didn’t want one.”

“And yet here it is.”

He picked it up and drank. His attention shifted back to the counter, where Davos was wiping down the espresso machine and very obviously still glancing in Ria’s direction.

“Friend of yours?” Asterion asked.

She shrugged. “Never met him before in my life.”

“He seems friendly and familiar with you.”

“He has to be, it’s his job.”

Asterion took another sip and said nothing more. But he angled his chair a fraction so that his body was between Ria and the counter. He probably didn’t even realize he’d done it, but she did. She’d also noticed the same instinct back at headquarters, when she’d mentioned finding Elian, and Asterion had shut it down with a single word. Though the two gestures were different, they were also the same reflex.

“Can I get another one?” Korinnae said, interrupting Ria’s thoughts just as they were about to get interesting.

“One’s enough,” Asterion said.