The Wright (Friday Updates)

Ch. 32 Sweets

"Me?"

"Yes, you," I said a little bit more quietly. Was he so surprised that I could throw him a bone? If I ever wanted him to treat me just as an employee again, he needed to get this out of his system. He was persistent, I would give him that, and though I wasn't sure I wanted to reward him for hounding a female, he had been incredibly polite.

The king stood up so quickly, he knocked his chair over, just grabbing the seat with his fingertips in time to avoid it clattering loudly on the floor. It was just the same since Wiley laughed loudly at him and drew several pairs of eyes. He offered me his hand at the same time that Toddy gave me another scolding look. The one I returned to her promised that we would not get fired and would explain later.

I placed my fingers in his palm, perhaps the first time I had allowed him to take my hand publicly. I was becoming accustomed to the way that his magic warmed my skin and calmed me measurably no matter the situation. Once he had helped me from my seat, I removed my hand. We were surrounded by so many people, if we left the hall holding them, it would be obvious what his intentions were, and that was something I was not yet willing to make known.

"I know where Dandair hides the good stuff," he said with a slight smile.

"What's the good stuff?"

"Really nice mead and sweets mostly."

"Why does he hide them?"

"He's hiding them from me, because that's all I would eat if given the opportunity."

"I cannot say I'm surprised," I muttered, holding out my arms as he offered a serving tray. Two goblets, plates, silverware, napkins and then the food was piled on.

"Sloppy Joes?" I asked.

"What's wrong with Sloppy Joes."

As I watched him put a helping of green beans and mashed potatoes on each dish, I struggled for words. Following him to the back room, we stopped in front of a door with a sign that said: KEEP OUT. Nobody allowed without express permission of Dandair!

"It just does not seem like the most romantic of food choices, you know? Because it's messy?"

His lips quirked as he pulled a key out of his pocket. "Romantic? I thought this was a simple dinner?" He obviously said it to make my face flame, and it worked very well.

"You expressly said that you were jealous of the lunch I had with Wiley. It was a date, therefore, you wanted your own date. Am I wrong?"

"No, not at all," he said, still grinning. The king rubbed his hands together excitedly looking at all the hidden snacks and sweets in the forbidden pantry. I could see doughnuts, cake, brownies, tarts, cookies, pies and candy to say nothing of the varieties of each. All of it was left over from the ball and from the week, filling the space with scents of vanilla and sugar.

"What do you like? I think there's just about everything here." He pulled a clear bottle from the top shelf and wiped the dust off with his shirt, revealing a golden liquid inside. "Would you look at this? Dandair hid this fae wine from me."

The chocolate and fried dough filled my nose and made my stomach twist with hunger. I swallowed a mouthful of saliva. "I...I suppose that I like brownies."

"How about brownies on ice cream? And carmel syrup, too?"

It sounded ridiculous, but delicious. Who was I kidding? I was so hungry my stomach felt like an open gnawing cavern. I just nodded enthusiastically as he stuffed the syrup and wine bottle in his cloak. He held a bowl of ice cream in each hand and bumped the door shut with his hip.