Page 25 of The Tea Witch's Promise

I stared up at him. "Yes?"

He brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear, a tender gesture. "I'm glad to see you. I've been thinking about you."

There was that forwardness and bluntness I liked so much about him. For someone who could turn anything into a joke, there was no beating around the bush, no playing games. He wanted me and there was no denying it.

I slipped my arm around him, marvelling at how easy it was to change from being friendly to more intense. "Then we've been in each other's thoughts."

He looked so ridiculously happy about it, it made his eyes sparkle. I reached for his face and traced his jaw, touching the slight stubble that I'd been looking at. He lowered his head, his lips parted slightly as he captured me in a soft kiss.

Butterflies rose in my stomach and my whole body felt like electricity was running through it. It tingled and tickled in a way that I hadn't experienced with anyone else before.

A loud sound made us jolt apart, just in time as the door swung open. Jasmine came through it, surprise appearing on her face when she noticed me. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Katie brought eggs!" Brew shouted, almost knocking the teapot off the side.

Jasmine looked at me and shrugged. "Thanks, we could use some more."

"Mmhmm." I touched my lips.

"Brew, I was actually looking for you," she said.

"I was on my way out anyway," I lied, eager to get away before Jasmine figured out exactly what she just walked in on.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind your input too, if that's all right?"

"Oh, sure. Brew just made some tea."

She frowned and looked between us. "Why did he make tea if you were about to leave?"

I looked at Brew, a little panicked.

"I was confused about what Katie said," he lied. "There's enough for three."

"Tea is good," Jasmine said, pulling out one of the chairs at the table. "I wanted to ask you about the dryads delegation from Grower's Cove. They're coming here, but Grey and I can't agree on what sort of gifts we need to make sure they have, both here, and for them to take back home with them."

"Gifts?" I prompted, going to take a seat opposite her. Brew handed me a teacup, his fingers brushing against mine as he did and making me feel all kinds of tingly in response. It would probably be best if we didn't touch while members of his family were in the room. I cleared my throat. "I thought we wanted to establish a trade alliance."

She nodded. "We do, but I heard that the leader of Grower's Cove is notoriously hard to impress and negotiate with. Some offerings might smooth out the process."

Brew frowned as he joined us. "Didn't they approach us? Shouldn't they present us with gifts?"

Jasmine let out a long sigh. "You would think. I want to give them some leather and dried meat since we have a lot of livestock. Grey wants to bring them some flour, but I think that could be insulting since they probably grow their own wheat."

I pondered over her question before replying. "What if you had both ready and when you take them on a tour of the Millers' mill, you can ask if they have one themselves? If they don't, you can offer them the flour, but if they do, you know not to." It might not be the right response, but it felt like it could strike the right balance between what the two of them wanted. I imagined it was tough trying to work together, though I didn't know how well Jasmine and Grey actually knew one another.

"That's a great idea. Thanks." She took a sip of her tea and leaned back in her seat, seeming a lot lighter than she had a few moments ago. "So, this is finally happening then? You two are together?"

Brew choked on his tea. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, it's still a secret then? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Jasmine smiled reassuringly at me. "I'll leave you to it then. Never mind me. Thanks for the advice, Katie."

She got up and left the room, taking her tea with her and leaving the two of us alone, save for Banjo. But he was too busy with his bone to care about the current conversation.

I stared after her. I really thought we would've been able to keep this between us for a lot longer. "Will she actually keep it quiet?" I asked Brew.

"I assume so, but we're going to owe her big time."

"Mmm." I looked down at my tea. "Maybe we should aim to be somewhere more private and with less chance of a sibling walking in next time we want to kiss."