Sawyer motioned to an empty chair. “Please have a seat.”
With another bow of my head, I approached the table and sat down. A three-tiered platter held an assortment of quiches and crab cakes, as well as apple tarts and fancy cookies. Almost too pretty to eat.
“Kuya?” Sawyer looked over at him on the step. He hadn’t come any closer. “Sit with us and eat.”
“Kuya isn’t hungry!” He leapt off the step and into the garden, kicking at a rock. When it dinged and rolled against the ground, his reddish brown tail flicked behind him and his fluffy ears shot upward. He crouched and slunk forward, batting at it with his hand.
“Oh, he is quite adorable,” Alina said. “So curious and easily amused.”
Kuya sneered at her before losing interest in the rock. Clearly out of spite.
A sad smile crossed her face as she focused on her teacup. Was she upset by the engagement too? She’d also been forced into it. Neither of them had a choice.
An attendant poured me a cup of tea, and I thanked him before adding a cube of sugar and stirring in some cream.
“What have you brought?” Sawyer motioned to my basket.
“Oh.” I wiped at my mouth. “Pastries from the café. Please help yourself.”
Alina smiled. “I’d be delighted. That cake you made for the feast was delicious.”
“Glad you liked it.” My cheeks warmed with the compliment. It was hard to dislike her when she seemed like a genuinely nice person.
“Evan brought Kuya Berry Delights?” The cat boy padded over to me. Well, to my basket.
“Like I’d come see you without them.” I opened the lid.
Eyes sparkling, he snatched two strawberry cupcakes and darted away from the table.
Alina chose a banana muffin and bit into it. Her eyes widened, and she lifted a hand to her mouth. “Oh my. This is exquisite.”
“That’s my boyfriend’s favorite,” I said with a smile.
Was it weird to call Maddox my boyfriend? He felt like so much more than that. All of them did.
“You enjoy the company of men?” Alina asked in a strange tone. Inquisitive but something else too.
“I do.” No one batted an eye at same-sex couples in Bremloc. But she was from another city, so maybe it was different there? Regardless, it brought back those feelings from my other life when I came out to people. That sense of dread and anticipation of how they’d react.
“Your eyes light up when you speak of him. It’s beautiful.” Alina softly smiled. “I pray I find that same love someday.”
Sawyer regarded her with a questioning gaze.
“Lady Alina?” a young woman called from the gazebo step. “The queen has requested your presence.”
“Oh, that’s right. We’re meeting with a tailor to be fitted for our gowns.” Alina dabbed at her mouth before standing from the table. She curtsied to Sawyer. “My prince.” She then did the same to me. “A pleasure to meet you, Evan.”
“Likewise, milady.”
Once she was gone, Sawyer released a long breath. Now that it was just the two of us, he seemed more relaxed. “News from Exalos reached the castle earlier this week. The lord mayor informed me your café has been quite prosperous for the city. Business is flourishing.”
“That makes me happy,” I said, hit with a sudden wave of pride. “Everyone worked so hard leading up to the grand opening.”
William was running the café and clearly doing a damn good job of it. I hoped he and Edwin were doing well too. I made a mental note to write to him. Life had been so hectic lately that I hadn’t had the chance.
“Lord Norwood has expressed interest in opening a café in Voltas as well,” Sawyer said. “Perhaps, if you share that interest, the two of you can discuss it soon and make the necessary arrangements. I’ll be traveling there after the wedding. You could accompany me.”
“To Voltas?” I grabbed a quiche from the platter and cut into it.
