Page 5 of Bread with the Orc
I didn’t startle when Feydin stomped his stupid gargoyle feet all over my kitchen, but I scowled down at the loaves I was slotting into the pans, the movements so ingrained I could do them without thinking.
“I’m not distracted. I’m thinking.”
“Yeah, that’s what I meant.”
Behind me, I could hear Feydin gliding around my kitchen, peering at things. If he started poking stuff, I was going to snap at him.
Before I could find a reason to kick the male—admittedly my best friend—out, Feydin asked, “What’d you make my Dazy today?”
So instead of snapping, I grunted as I reached over to preheat the industrial ovens. “Cinnamon rolls. I made a double batch, you can have half.”
“Oh, awesome, she loves those. The usual place?” Without waiting for a response, the other male was digging out the to-go boxes for his Mate’s treats. “Who’s the other half for?”
I hesitated, not wanting to share the way myKteerwas so hung up on the little human next door. “Do you think… I wonder what would happen if I sold some of those cinnamon rolls out front?”
“Are you kidding?” Feydin was suddenly at my side, his big wings in my space, his expression eager. “Harmony Glen wouldeat them up.Your breads are delicious, and they know that, but your pastries would keep them coming back.” In his excitement, he pressed even closer. “Your customers come in here a few times a week for bread, right? If you sold your pastries, they’d come in daily for their morning treats.”
Therewasthat. If I sold something smaller, more consumable, people would return more frequently. With a thoughtful, noncommittal grunt, I reached for the second batch of loaf pans. If Laney had sold my pastries at her tea shop, people would have visited there each morning, and she would have been able to build that community space she’d been talking about.
The idea was…strange to me.
Don’t get me wrong; orcs have a strong sense of community. It’s just thatIdidn’t see a lot of use for it. Ironic that Laney—the outgoing, bubbly one—was losing that opportunity, while I…
“Dorvak, are you thinking about expanding your offerings outside of bread? Dazy’s been after me for months to get you to sell those cheese Danishes at the counter.”
Really? Hmm.
“I am…not entirely opposed.” I buttered the pans with smooth strokes. “Just considering it.”
“Well, Dazy is going to be thrilled. I’m going to wake her up with my tongue. Then the cinnamon rolls. Then this news.” He winked. “Want me to cover these pans?”
“Depends how clean your hands are. Hold on.” Putting aside what I was working on, I whipped out the plastic and began to wrap the full pans. “Put these in the fridge.”
We worked together in silence, and I tried not to think about what my friend had said about waking his Mate with his tongue. Did Dazy like that sort of thing? Would Laney?
“Did you see your neighbor is leaving?” Feydin asked as he slid the last of the pans into the cooler. As if he hadn’t just made myKteerjump, he continued, “The tea shop next door is closing.”
I nodded neutrally, going back to dividing the focaccia dough. “She stopped in yesterday. She was the one to mention selling the bearclaws.” It had been more than that, and had given me an idea, one I wasn’t yet sure enough of to voice. “She was…sad.”
“Well of course she’s sad.” Feydin moved behind me, likely moving things out of place. “She’s worked hard on that place, and it’s going to be a shame to have to close it. But honestly, with tea being the only draw, it’s not a complete surprise it wasn’t viable.”
“She makes good tea,” I growled, despite having zero knowledge of it to draw on. “And she’s…friendly. Good with customers.”
“Whereas you’re a complete ass,” Feydin teased. “Seems a shame she has to close and you’re still open.”
Since that was what I’d been thinking about moments ago, I didn’t argue. “She was in here yesterday.”
“In here, here?” Feydin sounded surprised. “I didn’t think you allowed anyone into your space. Except me, of course.”
I finished wrapping the first pan of focaccia and slid it along the counter toward him. “And sometimes I regret that. Be useful and put these on the shelf below the sourdough.”
As Feydin followed my direction, he smirked. “So Laney was here. Doing what?”
Being unbelievably erotic as she ate my bearclaw. I scowled, knowing I couldn’t say that. “She needed cheering. I gave her a pastry and listened to her. She cleaned.”
Feydin picked up another pair of loaves. “Listened to her about what?”
“About—” I snapped my lips together. The male might be my best friend, but I still wasn’t going to tell himLaney’s business. Or share her woes. The ones she’d shared with me, the ones which made myKteerhowl to gather her in my arms and comfort her.
