Chapter 3

I go back to mixing aggressively and let out a little of my prickliness on the new mixture, sloshing some over the bowl clumsily. I curse under my breath that I’m having real difficulty keeping the contents in the damn bowl. His presence makes me antsy, and I want him to leave so we can return to our Sylvana and Sophie time. I’m starting to depend on these visits as part of my routine, and he is ruining my calm.

“Nope… Just changed a few accessories.” Sylvana smiles back at him, notices my mess, and hands him a wet washcloth with a nod toward me. Without hesitation, he puts down his apple and leans forward to start cleaning around the bowl I have on the table, straining as though he is trying to stay back, which is odd. As his arm gets near mine, I step back again, lifting the bowl to make it look like I am giving him space to clean, even though I am making sure he gets no closer. I catch the flicker of his eyes on me, yet he says nothing, just a serious glance that makes my h