Chapter 12
Chapter
Twelve
“What’s got you smiling like that?” Lacy asked Trent as she tied an apron around her waist.
She’d just arrived for her shift at the family stall where Leo, Trent, and Cas had already been working.
“He’s been smiling like that all day.” Leo kneaded dough. “But he hasn’t told us why.”
They had an unusual lull in customers. Which apparently meant his siblings could focus on interrogating him.
Trent reorganised the cakes, cookies, and pastries on display. Most of the baked goods they sold at the Christmas markets were made at the bakery and then brought to the stall. But they baked the bread fresh here.
“It’s nothing.” At their disbelieving looks, Trent added, “Really!”
It was so new with Mr Marin. He didn’t want to jinx it. And what if Mr Marin didn’t want to meet up with him again after their date? It wouldn’t be unreasonable. He didn’t want to have to then tell his siblings that Mr Marin didn’t want to continue dating him. He didn’t want their pity.
“I bet I can get it out of him.” Lacy wiggled her brows, stepping in behind him. She wrapped an arm around his waist.
“There’s nothing to tell.” Trent laughed.
But they all continued to stare at him.
“It’s new!” Trent protested.
“So there is something new?” Cas’s eyes twinkled, and his wings fluttered.
Trent laughed and shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Really? What?” Cas flew in so close Trent couldn’t continue organising the baked goods.
“Oi! I’m trying to work here.” Trent playfully elbowed Cas. “Give me some space!”
“Will you tell us what the news is if we do?” Lacy asked. But she and Cas both moved back.
“You’re all being ridiculous!” Trent said.
“Of course, you don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to,” Cas said seriously. “You are allowed to have your privacy.”
Still, they all watched him with curious eyes.
“Fine!” Trent relented. He could deny his siblings nothing. “It’s a date.”
“A date!” Leo repeated. “Good work, little brother!”
Pixie dust burst around Cas. He clapped his hands. “My baby boy is going on a date!”
“He really is growing up!” Lacy wiped at an imagined tear.
“I’m nineteen!” Trent proclaimed. “And you’re only a year older than me.” He pointed a finger at Lacy. And Trent knew for a fact that at his age, Lacy had been going to wild parties and was no virgin.
Which maybe was part of the reason everyone kept treating him like a baby. He was just less experienced than the rest of them.
“You’re acting like no one in this family has ever been on a date before!” Trent said. “I mean, you all have mates or partners!”
“I don’t!” Leo corrected.
“But you don’t go on dates ever,” Lacy pointed out. “So we’re excited for you!”
Trent rolled his eyes. But secretly he was thrilled. After all, she wasn’t wrong. In fact this would be his first official date. But they didn’t need to know that.
“Who’s the lucky individual?” Leo asked.
Trent licked his lips. He hesitated, not knowing if he wanted to tell them. But why shouldn’t he? After all, he was going to bring Mr Marin here to the Christmas markets. Unless he planned to avoid their stall entirely, they’d find out who his date was.
“Ah…you know the Aquatic Horticultural Emporium?” Trent met their gazes.
Cas and Lacy looked blankly at him.
But Leo threw his head back and laughed. “You mean where you’ve been going every day for months? You met someone there? Is that why you always offer to go?”
Of course Leo knew all about his daily visit to the emporium. After all, he was Jasper’s twin.
“That’s not why I’ve been going!” Trent’s cheeks flushed. “I wanted to be helpful!”
Leo stopped laughing but continued to smile. “Sorry, Trent. Didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“You didn’t,” Trent lied. “I’m fine.”
“What is this Aquatic Horticultural Emporium?” Cas glanced between them. “Why have I never heard of it?”
“It’s a speciality shop that sells the elothea seeds for Jas’s tea that the healer prescribed for him,” Leo explained. “Trent goes every day to get the seeds. It’s been a big help,” Leo said, as if trying to make up for his earlier teasing.
“And you’ve met someone there?” Cas’s wings fluttered faster.
Trent nodded. “Mr Marin, the siren who owns the store.”
“A siren!” Lacy exclaimed. “Is he handsome?”
Again Trent nodded. “But honestly, I doubt it will go anywhere. I’m surprised he even agreed to go with me when I asked.” He focused his gaze on the pastries he straightened. “Actually he said no at first—”
“What? He said no to you?” Cas interrupted. “Why would he say no?”
“Why would he say yes?” Trent blurted.
Cas reeled as if slapped.
“I mean… It was a misunderstanding,” Trent rushed out. “He thought I was asking if he liked the Christmas markets in general. I wasn’t clear that I was asking him on a date. But when he realised I was asking if he wanted to go with me, then he agreed.”
He swallowed, looking down again. “But honestly, I’m kind of surprised he said yes. I’m not sure why he’d want to go on a date with me.”
“Trent!” Cas flew in close again, his arm slipping around Trent’s shoulders. “You’re beautiful and caring and sweet and wonderful.”
Leo and Lacy made noises of agreement.
“He’s lucky you want to date him!” Cas said, voice fierce.
Trent smiled and leaned against Cas. “That is kind of you to say.”
“It is not kind!” Cas’s spine straightened. “I am telling the truth!”
“Well, thank you all the same.”
Cas frowned. “But did you say he doesn’t like the Christmas markets?”
“Customers,” Lacy said in a sing-song voice. A large group of fire demons approached the stall. “But I want to hear more later!” She pointed at Trent as she went to serve.
“You are wonderful and deserve all the good things! Remember that.” Then Cas gave Trent a squeeze and went to serve.
“Good afternoon. I’m Cas, the Christmas pixie.” He waved a hand over himself. Today, Cas dressed in silver from head to toe. He looked very much like the self-proclaimed Christmas pixie. “How can I help you?”
Trent turned to a tall fire demon, ready to serve. But despite Cas’s assurances, Trent’s stomach still squirmed as he thought about his date.