Triton's Destiny

Part Seven

"Oh! Tristan!"

He stopped on the street as he heard someone call his name, smiling when he saw Emilie hurry through the bakery door to catch him. Propping his hands on his hips, he waited for her. "Hi, Emilie. What's up? Do you have a message for me?"

"Yes!" she huffed, her cheeks pink from running.

"All right." He held out his hand and tilted his head, confused by her sense of urgency.

She clasped his fingers in her much smaller hand and gave them a squeeze, smiling at him fondly. "It's not a written message, sweetie. And it's for you."

"Me?" His brow furrowed. He never got messages.

With a quick nod, she glanced down the street, as if looking for someone. "Just a little while ago, someone came into the shop looking for you."

"Who would be looking for me?"

"I didn't know him, but he seemed very interested in finding you."

"What was his name?"

"Maki."

Tristan shook his head. "I don't know anyone by that name. Did he say what he wanted or where he was from?"

She shook her head. "He didn't mention why he was looking for you, but he looked like a sailor. In fact, I'd give up my entire day's sales if he didn't spend his life at sea."

"How do you know that?"

"He said he didn't have a lot of time to spend ashore. Plus, he smelled like sunshine and sea spray. He has to be from one of the ships in port."

Tristan's frown deepened and he grimaced in confusion. "Emilie, I appreciate your intuition, but I don't know anyone like that. You know I stay as far away from the water as I can."

"I do know that. But there was a guy here looking for you and I told him I'd tell you if I saw you."

"All right. Great. You told me. But I still don't know him."

The glint in her eye took a wicked turn. "You should find him and get to know him. He was adorable as hell. And extremely polite."

"If you think he's so cute, then maybe you should get to know him."

"No, no..." Her curls bounced as she shook her head. "I think this one's for you, Tristan MacHale."

He heaved an exasperated sigh. "Why are you playing matchmaker with me, Ms. Joslynne?"

"Because you're cute. And he's cute. And I just know you'd be cute together."

Narrowing a glare at her, he leaned into her space, looming over her considerably shorter frame. "I don't need you meddling in my love life, Emilie."

Notching her chin up, she met his glare with a heated one of her own as she crossed her arms over her chest. "As if you had one to meddle in."

He bared his teeth and his nostrils flared. "I am looking for neither a hookup nor a life partner. I can barely keep myself in order; I don't need to be taking care of anyone else."

A frown of concern creased her brow. "I can tell you're lonely, Tristan."

"Leave it alone, Emilie," he said with an aggravated huff. "I'm fine on my own."

"Tristan..."

He gave his head a firm shake. "If I find myself in need of your services, I'll let you know. Until then, please stop trying to set me up." He suddenly wondered if this Maki was some hapless customer of hers that she'd scouted as a romantic prospect for him. He hated feeling like someone's project, like they thought he needed to be fixed. Turning on his heel, he began walking away. "I'm done with deliveries, so I'm going home."