Page 16 of Of Love and Treason
She turned to the rows of baskets behind her and located the triangle pastries. The bell jangled and a pair of feet shuffled in. Iris held out the pastry and Valentine took it, placing the coin in her hand instead of leaving it on the counter for her to find. His fingers were smooth as they brushed her palm. The small gesture brought a smile to her lips.
“I’ve been praying for you.” His voice was low.
She froze, stunned by his admission, and then her thoughts began to race. She wanted to ask him a thousand questions. To tell him about the flash of sight. To demand to know if his god was responsible or if hers were beginning to listen.
Instead, she simply said, “I know.”
“Excuse me?” A set of knuckles rapped the counter. “Excuse me, miss. I need three quadratii. I’m in a hurry.”
Iris dropped Valentine’s coin into the money box and straightened. “Yes, of course.” Her voice sounded too loud and overbright. She winced.
“See you tomorrow?” Valentine asked.
He wanted to see her? She shrugged, trying not to let the surprise show. “Maybe. If you’re not too late.” And if Paulina hadn’t finished with the Guild of Grain Millers.
“I’ll do my best.”
The bell clanged again as Valentine left. The remaining customer cleared her throat.
“Right.” Iris smoothed a hand over the sudden jitters in her stomach and turned toward the sound. “What can I get you?”
A sharp sigh. “Oh, just forget it!”
“But—”
Sandals slapped the brick floor and the bell clanked.
“I knew this would happen. How many customers have walked out today?”
Iris whirled around. She hadn’t heard Epimandos return. “All of them, obviously. How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to know if Paulina does not come back soon, we will go out of business,” came the nasally whine. “Who’s your friend?”
“My what?”
“The man staring at you like you were the goddess Venus. Or a raisin pastry.” He snickered.
Her mouth dropped. “You’ve been herethatlong and didn’t bother to step in and help?”
“I do not think he wantedmyhelp.” Baskets crackled as Epimandos peered inside, taking stock of what remained.
“But the other customer needed quadratii.”
“I do not like people, and she looked angry.”
“Do I look angry, Epimandos?”
He paused. “You look embarrassed.”
Iris’s face heated.HadValentine really been staring at her? Staring at her scars, no doubt. She ran a hand over her hair, tugging a few strands loose to better hide the marred skin at her temple, and ducked past Epimandos into the back room.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Epimandos.”
Panic laced his voice. “Where are you going?”
She undid her apron and slung it over the peg by the door, exchanging it for her palla. “Paulina said I had to be up front until you got back. You’re back. I’m going home.” Iris arranged the palla over her head and shoulders, careful to pull it low over her forehead to hide her wandering eyes. She gathered the two misshapen loaves Epimandos set aside for her and bundled them into a corner of the palla.
“That is not fair,” Epimandos protested. “You know I do not like people.”
