Page 176 of Salt Between the Wolves

"I am not curious."

"You looked directly at the bakery."

"I was observing."

"Of course."

His answer carried entirely too much confidence.

Before she could object, Leander changed direction and crossed toward a small shop squeezed between a rope merchant and a sailmaker. A line of sailors waited outside, and several appeared willing to defend their place in it with violence, which seemed like an encouraging sign.

The smell intensified immediately as they approached. Golden pastries sat cooling behind the window while others were being carried out fresh from the ovens.

The woman behind the counter spotted Leander at once.

"You survived."

"Barely."

"You still owe me money."

"A vicious rumor."

"It's written down."

Leander sighed, and the woman looked pleased enough that Eira was beginning to suspect this exchange happened often.

A few moments later, Leander returned carrying two paper-wrapped pastries and handed one to her.

Eira looked down suspiciously.

"It's leaking."

"It's supposed to."

"That doesn't sound reassuring."

Leander had already taken a bite, and the expression on his face suggested complete contentment, an emotion she had rarely witnessed from him.

Steam escaped from the pastry as Eira hesitated. The crust was golden and flaky, and whatever lay inside smelled far better than it looked.

"What's in it?"

"Fish."

"No."

Leander blinked.

"No?"

"No."

"The answer is still fish."

"Then the answer remains no."

A nearby sailor overheard the exchange.