The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas (An MM Monster Christmas #2)

Chapter 29

CHAPTER 29

“ W ell. Time to set off.” Jack pulled his coat on.

Avery stepped in close and did up Jack’s buttons, fingers lingering. Avery ran his hands along the front of Jack’s coat, stroking the material. He raised his golden gaze to Jack’s and leaned forward to kiss him.

After a long kiss, Avery stepped back. “All right. Let’s go.”

Five days they’d been snowed in together. It had to come to an end sometime.

But that didn’t mean they had to end.

They set out from Avery’s apartments. Already the streets in this area had been cleared now that the snow had stopped. But some snow still piled up against the sides of buildings. The sun shone weakly, and the remaining snow glistened.

Jack threaded his fingers through Avery’s as they made their way through the city. A brisk breeze brushed Jack’s cheeks.

He tried not to feel nervous. Avery had been to the bakery before. Avery liked the bakery. Still, Jack couldn’t help but compare Avery’s home to his own. And with every step, his self-consciousness grew.

As they walked, the districts they entered became poorer. The streets narrowed. The snow had not been cleared away. Instead, it turned to slush and mud beneath carriage wheels and pedestrians’ feet. The houses grew smaller. Roofs sagged. Paint faded and chipped.

Jack kept glancing at Avery, expecting to see judgement. But instead, he saw Avery gazing at some children playing in the snow. Avery laughed as a wayward snowball almost hit him, as if completely unaware that most rich snobs wouldn’t be caught dead in this part of town.

They reached the bakery and went around the back.

Avery looked around the shabby alley. “I’ve never been this way before.” But he sounded interested, not judgemental.

Jack gripped the door handle. He noticed the chipped door-frame and the paint on the door flaking. He’d never noticed any of that before. But with Avery with him, he suddenly noticed all the imperfections of his home.

Taking a deep breath, he turned the handle and stepped in.

“Jack!” Cas dropped the dough from his hands and flew across the room, throwing his arms around Jack.

Jack hugged him back. “Hi, Cas.”

The rest of his siblings who were present gathered around him.

“Good to see you are alive.” Leo chuckled.

“I’m sorry if I worried you.” Guilt tightened Jack’s gut. “Did Uzoth tell you I was all right?”

“He did,” Jasper said. “But it’s good to see you for ourselves.”

“We’re just glad he was safe with you.” Lacy smiled at Avery. She glanced at Jack, a question glinting in her eyes. She opened her mouth.

The back door banged open, and Grady came in. He paused when he saw Jack. “Oh, good. You’re back.” Grady looked over the room. “Anyone actually working in here?”

With a flurry of apologies, everyone returned to work.

Grady came over to Jack. “You good?”

Jack nodded. He placed a hand on Avery’s arm. “Avery looked after me.”

Grady gave a half-smile. “I’m glad.”

“And since when do you have a gargoyle running around for you?” Jack asked.

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.” Grady looked at Avery. “Thank you for looking after Jack. You should stick around for a bit.”

“Oh no.” Avery held up his hands. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense,” Grady said. “It will give you a chance to get to know the family.”

Avery froze. “All right. Thank you. That will be nice.”

“Good.” Grady turned away. “Leo, have you started on the fruit loaf yet?”

The first day after a snowstorm and it was back to work as usual in the bakery. Of course, they’d be busy today. Everyone would be out and eager to restock after being snowed in for days. Fresh bread and loaves would be in high demand.

Jack faced Avery. “I need to get back to work.”

“Can I help?” Avery asked.

“Sure. But first…” Jack looked up. Carrie peered down at them from her shelf. “Hi, Carrie. Sorry I left for so long.”

Mild annoyance mixed with concern spread through the connection.

“We’ve been looking after her,” Cas said. “We fed her and made sure she had everything she needed. Although, I know she will be glad you’re home.”

“Thanks.” Jack reached up and picked her up, cradling her to his chest and stroking her. With a start, he realised her scales reminded him of Avery’s. “I’ve missed you.”

Warm affection answered him through their bond.

“And now I have someone I want you to properly meet.” Nervousness crept down Jack’s spine. He really hoped his familiar approved of Avery.

Jack turned to Avery. “This is Avery. He is very special to me. Avery, this is Carrie, my familiar.”

Avery gave a slight bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Carrie.”

Carrie turned her head. Her beaded gaze fixed on Avery. She stretched her neck, as if trying to get a better look at him.

Jack could feel her desire to get closer and examine Avery properly. “Would you like to hold her?”

Avery’s eyes widened. “Really? I mean, only if Carrie doesn’t mind.” He looked between Jack and Carrie. “I’ve never held a familiar before.”

“She doesn’t mind.” The emotion radiating from Carrie was pure curiosity.

Smiling, Jack handed Carrie to Avery. It took Avery a few moments to work out how to hold the iguana. Then they stared at each other.

After a second, Avery stroked her. “Hello, Carrie. I believe you and I have a lot in common. I also like to nap by a warm fire.” Avery glanced at Jack. “And I, too, care a great deal for Jack.”

Jack smiled. Carrie settled in Avery’s arms. Jack could feel her approval through the bond. Jack let out a relieved breath.

After settling Carrie back on her shelf, they got to work. Jack began to make meat pies. Avery washed dishes.

“It’s not hard,” Cas explained as he showed Avery because Avery had never washed a dish in his life. But that didn’t deter him. He nodded as Cas spoke, listening eagerly. Then he rolled up his expensive shirtsleeves and got to work.

Jack kept glancing at him. Avery made a bit of a mess, splashing water around. But he seemed to not mind getting his hands or clothes dirty. He smiled when Jack’s siblings spoke to him. He watched the others in the bakery with rapt attention.

After Jack placed the tray of meat pies into the oven, he came over to Avery as he dried a bowl. He had a spot of soap suds on his cheek.

Jack wiped the suds away. “How are you doing?”

“Wonderfully!” Avery beamed. “Your family is wonderful. They’re so welcoming. And so kind for letting me help out.”

Jack almost laughed. He’d never heard anyone call people “kind” for giving them chores to do.

Avery looked around the bakery. “It’s all so lovely,” Avery enthused. Because he clearly didn’t care about the faded wallpaper, the stains on the floorboards, the dented and worn furniture, or that the back area of the bakery was cramped.

It was all in my head.

Avery had never looked down on him, his family, his bakery, or his home. It had all been in Jack’s head. His shoulders unwound, as if a weight had fallen from them.

“When you’re finished, do you want to help me bake some vanilla crescent cookies?”

Avery sucked in a breath. “Can I?”

Grady smiled at him. “You’ll have to come by more often, Avery. We can always use hard workers.”

Avery beamed as if Grady had given Avery the greatest gift in the world.

This will work. We can work.

Jack took the bowl from Avery and put it away. “Come on. Let’s bake some cookies.”