Noah’s strict demeanor faltered, if only for a moment. He then focused back ahead, saying nothing further as he led me to the gazebo in the royal garden. Once there, he nodded to me. “They will join you shortly.”
He then took his leave.
I stepped beneath the shaded roof of the gazebo and set the basket on the round table. A three-tiered platter held an assortment of fruit and cheese on one level and pastries and tarts on the others. Plates were stacked beside it, along with silverware and cloth napkins. Alone, I admired the surrounding greenery and flowers and listened to the trickle of water from the fountain.
Work had kept me busy as of late, but with Miles settling in at the café and helping in the kitchen, I had been able to step away that afternoon to meet Prince Sawyer and Kuya for lunch. It had been too long since I’d seen them.
“Kuya missed Evan so much!” a voice came from behind me before a pressure landed on my back. He then hopped off and rushed over to the basket to peek under the lid. “Kuya missed Evan’s cakes too.”
“You missed my cakes themost, you mean,” I said.
My cat-boy bestie flashed his canines, his rainbow eyes crinkling at the edges. “Evan is Kuya’s friend and makes him happy. He also bakes yummy treats that make Kuya’s tummy happy too.” He grabbed a strawberry cupcake and shoved it into his face, smearing frosting around his lips and on the tip of his nose.
“Apologies for the wait,” Prince Sawyer said as he approached the gazebo and took the two steps up. “My lessons ran longer than expected.”
“No problem at all.” I nodded to the basket. “I know the castle chefs make an awesome lunch, but I brought croissant sandwiches with ham and cheese if you want one. There’s cupcakes and cookies too.”
“That sounds divine.” Sawyer clasped my forearm in greeting before taking a seat at the table.
“Eh, I wouldn’t say it’s divine. Definitely not fancy enough for a classy prince like yourself.” I grinned as I sat across from him. I was teasing, of course. He enjoyed the simpler things in life, not possessing even an ounce of the spoiled rich boy behavior his older brother had.
“You made it, so it’s perfect.”
“Perfect and yummy.” Kuya hopped into the seat to Sawyer’s right, bringing his legs up into the chair as he devoured his third cupcake.
Prince Sawyer softly laughed as he spotted the frosting. “What am I going to do with you, you precious kitten?” He unfolded a napkin and wiped Kuya’s lips and nose. “There. All clean.”
Kuya’s reddish-brown ears wiggled as their gazes met, another smile not far behind.
Servants carried out platters of food, a selection of white fish, vegetables, and bread still warm from the oven. They filled our goblets with ice-cold water before placing the pitchers on a cart-like table several feet from us.
Sawyer thanked them before grabbing one of the croissants I’d brought. That made me smile. He then placed a piece of fish on Kuya’s plate. “Eat this before you have any more sweets.”
Kuya had no trouble obliging. He dove into the fish with his bare hands, bouncing happily in his chair as he chewed.
We caught up as we ate lunch. Sawyer asked me about my café, and I asked about his studies and if he’d read any good books lately—a pastime we shared.
Neither of us mentioned the baron’s daughter, Alina. I was sure in the almost two weeks since we’d last spoken, he’d more than likely visited with her again, or at least, received news about his anticipated engagement.
“How are the arrangements coming along for the ball?” Sawyer asked as we left the shade of the gazebo to stroll through the royal garden.
A much-needed stroll to help me walk off my lunch. I had stuffed myself like a Thanksgiving turkey and felt like I’d explode any second.
“Great,” I answered. “I’ve planned most of the menu. Since it’ll be in the autumn, my flavor profile will lean toward pumpkin, cinnamon, and apple desserts. I know some great drink recipes too, like apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes.”
“Pumpkin spice?” Sawyer asked. “I’ve heard of pumpkin being used in bread, but we don’t have many desserts with it. I’m excited to try your creations.”
“I hope it goes over well. I’m kinda nervous about it.” Nervous about introducing the new recipesandabout the ball.
“Kuya will eat Evan’s pumpkin desserts and tell him if they’re gross and need to be thrown away.” He walked on Sawyer’s other side. Instead of keeping to the path, however, he went through the grass barefooted, stopping every so often to admire a flower or bug.
“Thanks for the confidence, Kuya. Means a lot.”
“Evan is welcome.”
Sawyer laughed. “I have no doubts they will be delicious. Isn’t that right, Kuya?”
Kuya had knelt down to a patch of dandelions and gave me a toothy grin.
