"That takes unnecessary time."
"It takesfive seconds."
"I could sharpen a blade in five seconds."
"You don't need to sharpen blades while brushing your teeth!"
We're standing nose-to-nose now, both breathing hard. Then Trinity starts laughing.
"We're arguing about toothpaste."
"You started it."
"I'm ending it with a two-tube system. You get your chaos paste, I get my organized paste, nobody dies."
I consider this. "Acceptable."
"Good." She pats my chest. "See? Communication. We're naturals."
The bakery's been chaos since the finale aired. Lines around the block. Orders for custom cakes featuring orc-human fusion designs. Trinity hired two part-time staff just to keep up.
I help sometimes. Mostly heavy lifting, though Trinity's teaching me basic pastry work.
"Slower," she instructs now, watching me roll dough. "You're treating it like an enemy."
"Dough is adversarial."
"Dough isdelicate." She covers my hands with hers, guiding. "Firm but gentle. Like?—"
"Like handling you."
She flushes. "I was going to saylike convincing stubborn clan elders,but sure, make it sexy."
I lean close. "Everything with you is sexy."
"Flirt later. Roll now."
I focus on the dough. Firm but gentle. It actually starts to cooperate.
"There!" Trinity beams. "You're getting it."
Pride swells, ridiculous and warm.
Maya pokes her head in from the front. "Trinity, Channel Seven's here for that follow-up interview."
Trinity groans. "Already? I thought we had another hour."
"They're early. Very eager." Maya's grinning. "Want me to stall?"
"No, I'll—" Trinity glances at me. "You okay here?"
"I can manage dough."
"Don't overwork it."
"I know."
She kisses my cheek and disappears.
