He’d accidentally—and not so accidentally—brushed hands with more than a few girls in his lifetime, and he’d never felt like this before.
This was uncharted territory for him.
As a thirdborn son, he was supposed to marry a noble girl with a large dowry.
Knowing that hadn’t kept him from flirting with girls over the years. He’d always managed to flirt without falling in love.
His parents had married for love, somehow finding each other within their circle of nobility. He’d always wanted that for himself…but his circle of eligible girls wasn’t very large, and it certainly didn’t include Sophia.
Life would look very different than he’d planned if he married a milkmaid.
He wasn’t sure he was prepared for that, even as he wondered what a life with Sophia could be like.
He brushed off the thought and reached for the pencil again.
This had to stop. He didn’t want to lead her on. If there was no chance of a future for the two of them, he shouldn’t be spending time with her.
And yet, he didn’t want to stop spending time with her.
“I think that will work,” he said, making a small x in the corner of the square that Beatrice had suggested for the manor’s booth. “Perhaps we’ll start tonight at the café.”
Sophia perked up at the idea of going to the café, as he’d known she would.
“I was on my way there shortly,” Beatrice said. “I plan to enjoy Thea’s dinner since I don’t want to cook for myself tonight.” She laughed. “My father is off in Riyel, and I don’t feel like putting in the effort if it’s just me.”
“Understandable,” Sophia said with a smile, grabbing her friend’s hand. “Let’s go see what deliciousness Thea has cooked up.” She paused, and turned to Caspian, her smile falling. “Actually, I need to go home. I didn’t plan on going to town today and forgot my purse.”
“I’ll pay for your dinner,” Caspian said. “I’m the one who changed your plans for the evening. It would be wrong of me to invite you out and not feed you.”
Beatrice smirked at Sophia again and Caspian’s stomach felt off. This was definitely leading her on, but what was he supposed to do? Leave her hungry?
“It’s not as if Thea would turn you away,” Beatrice said, nudging Sophia’s shoulder with her own. “Even if you weren’t good for it later.”
They made their way to the Cozy Cat Café, and it wasn’t long before Caspian found himself in the middle of a large group of people, most of whom looked familiar but none that he could name except Thea.
He’d grown up here, and yet, he barely knew anyone in town.
He should change that if he stayed in the Northlands.
Thea was serving up a large pot pie which smelled absolutely amazing, and everyone around the table was diving in.
Caspian held out his plate for a serving of the pot pie. He could feel curious stares from everyone around the table. Should he introduce himself? Wait for Sophia, Thea, or Beatrice to do it? He felt completely out of his depth in this scenario.
“Everyone, this is Caspian,” Sophia said after a moment, and he smiled down at her before making eye contact with everyone around the large table. “He’s helping Beatrice plan the Fall Festival.”
“How go the preparations?” Thea asked from her place at the head of the table.
“They’re going well,” Caspian said. “I was actually going to ask if you would be willing to serve food there, either as a booth, or having the café open. A booth would be preferable, but I’ll take anything I can get,” he said with a grin. “Everyone says your food is the best.”
Thea smiled slightly and nodded. “I was planning on it. I don’t suppose you know where my booth would be?”
“Right next to the café, if that’s where you want to be,” Beatrice piped up.
“Then count me in,” she said. “Does anyone else at this table want to sign up as well?”
Across from him, a man nodded. “I’ll help you, Thea,” he said. “You’ll need a second person.”
Caspian fought the urge to squint at him.
