My stomach flips. That’s right, I did say that. Didn’t mean it, though.
He remembers.
Not that it matters when I’m trying to help him win someone else’s heart.
9
“Any day can be pleasant if you let it.”
— A Seelie Guide to Happiness
Part of me expected this meeting to be awkward. I’m not sure what it is, but the stress I used to feel in Maddox’s presence has vanished. Probably because I know for certain he isn’t looking for more. For something I’ll never be able to give him.
I cut a piece of pie and take a bite. Exquisite.
Maddox does the same. The muscles in his jaw roll as he chews, and it shouldn’t be erotic— it’s just a jaw— but, heavens, does the sight of it make my stomach flutter.
Where is this feeling coming from? Am I really that starved for male companionship, or did I just never notice Maddox’s fine jaw because I was too focused on Nolan?
This is bad.
No, it’s not.
I won’t let it be.
I can admit Maddox Finch might be handsomer than previously thought as long as the confession remains in my mind and doesn’t accidentally spill out to make things awkward between us once more.
I stab another piece and stuff it between my lips. “Well? What do you think?”
He nods, an appreciative hum rumbling from his chest. “You were not telling tales. This is the best blueberry pie I have ever eaten.”
Which might not be saying much. From what I’ve witnessed of the Unseelie diet, I can’t imagine him eating many blueberries, let alone blueberry pies.
While I eat, I study my companion—making a pointnotto watch his jaw. His dark gaze seems to bounce from one table to the next. From the flowers to the bees to the sky, never remaining in one place for too long.
His throat bobs when he swallows, and heaven help me, even that is doing something to my stomach.
What has become of me?
This must be a normal reaction after being in a committed relationship for so long.
Except, when I glance around the café at the other men, even those who happen to be conventionally attractive don’t hold my attention like the Unseelie across from me.
I need a distraction. A conversation about some inane topic before I do something silly and tell Maddox that he has a nice jaw and even nicer throat. “Does the sugar in the pie bother you at all?” The book Kerris had about Unseelie claimed they couldn’t eat sweet things because of some trouble with their stomachs.
He shakes his head and takes another bite.
Interesting. What else did the book get wrong?
“Tell me about yourself, Maddox.”
He blinks at me as the breeze toys with the ends of his hair. “What do you wish to know?”
If you kill as often as the books claim. If you are truly unbothered by the cold. If your tongue really feels like sandpaper.“How old are you?” That feels like a safe place to start.
“I have been alive for thirty years.”
The same age as Everett, then. “When’s your birthday?” It seems only fair to know when he tricked me into telling him mine.
