How sad is it that my heart does a happy leap inside my chest because he’s choosing to stay with me? Only for a little longer, sure, but I’ll take the victory.
Heaven knows I’m due one.
The café is as crowded as I’ve ever seen it, with nearly every table full of fae enjoying tea and desserts. The hostess brings us to a table beside a fuchsia bush, its vibrant purple and magenta flowers drooping toward the lacy tablecloth.
Maddox settles into the chair across from me, and our knees bump beneath the table. I never realized how small the tables here really are, a fact only made more apparent when he flattens his gigantic hands on the lace.
Kerris’s comment from last night brings a flush to my face.
Bloomin’ wine.
“Maddox?” A fae with red hair leans toward him from her seat at an adjacent table. I recognize her from the quarry.
Talk about poor luck.
She’s petite—something I’ve never been called—and she seems so bloomin’ happy. Probably because she hasn’t wasted the last four years of her life on someone who no longer loves her.
Maddox smiles at her but says nothing.
The woman presses a hand to her large chest. Something else I lack. “Amber. We met at the quarry, remember?”
Maddox’s eyes widen along with his smile. “Oh, yes. Amber. Hello.”
Why doesn’t he say her surname? Surely he should be using hers as well, especially seeing as they only just met.
“I’ve never seen you here before,” she says with a grating giggle.
“This is my first time. Nia Quill invited me.”
Nia Quill. Not just Nia. For some reason, the distinction rankles. Perhaps I shouldn’t have invited him after all. Being alone would’ve been better than being a third wheel. I force a smile and greet Amber with a nod. It’s not her fault I’m starting to despise her. “Hello.”
“Nice to meet you, Nia.” Amber’s fingers brush Maddox’s. “I’ll let you enjoy your lunch. I just wanted to say hello. Next time you’re in Rosehill, you should call over. I live just down the street in Birdview Cottage.”
She pushes back into her chair and lifts her teacup to her painted lips. The woman with her leans close, and together, they erupt into a fit of whispers while casting meaningful glances toward my companion.
I force my jaw to unclench so this headache doesn’t get any worse. “It’s too bad you aren’t interested in Seelie fae. That one is dying to mate with you.”
Maddox doesn’t give Amber so much as a second glance. “I am not interested in that one.”
Because he cares for someone across The Divide, you fool!
“Welcome to Café LaMonte,” the waitress says, her gaze fully fixed on Maddox. I might as well not even be sitting here. Looks like Amber isn’t the only one interested in my Unseelie friend. She hands him a menu, then tosses one in my direction like an afterthought.
Maddox hands the menu right back. “I would like blueberry pie, please.”
“An excellent choice,” she chirps.
“I’ll have the same.” Not that she asked.
The waitress leaves us, and I catch Maddox frowning at me as if he can hear all the irrational, jealous thoughts spinning through my mind.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I grumble.
“You said blueberries were your least favorite fruit.”
He must be confusing me with someone else, because I love blueberries. “I never said that.”
“Yes, you did. At the Beltane festival.”
