Alfie the Minotaur: Part Three (special preview)

The cafeteria was fixed, so you were now back to your usual morning routine. It was busier now than before, thanks in part to the staff and students missing how easy it was. It was nice to have your favorite coffee again, and the smell of new construction reminded you of your dad just a bit.

“You’ve been spending a lot more time with Alfie now.” Keery smirked from over her cup of coffee.

“Yeah? You spend a lot of time with your husband,” you vollied back.

Keery continued to smirk like the cat who caught the canary. “But that's my husband. Alfie is just a…friend still?”

You stilled for a moment then shook your head. “No. I don’t think he’s that.” You caught her eyes widen and her mouth open slightly. “I would say we’re a couple.”

Keery squealed in excitement then instantly snapped back to a serious glare. “He’s not pressured you for anything has he?”

“He wanted take out one night but that’s about it,” you replied. “He’s been understanding that I need time to get to that certain zone.”

“And where are you in relation to that zone?” She asked.

You thought for a moment again, scoping yourself out and seeing how you thought about Alfie, even when he wasn’t around. “Close. Possibly have a tone in the waters.” You sipped your coffee while Keery had her ecstatic reaction.

“That’s amazing! I’ve never known you to get that close!” Keery bounced in her seat, causing a few stares from nearby tables.

“Could you no?” You grumbled, cheeks red and warm.

Keery quiteted and leaned in further over the table. “Have you had any…thoughts when that toe is in the water?”

You felt hot all over, embarrassed should anyone hear such a thing. “Keery,” you growled.

“If you can’t tell me then how do you expect to tell him?” She asked, her tone empathetic and stern. “So have you?”

You shrugged. “I felt a little turned on the other night.”

Keery gasped. “A little? That’s huge! What happened?”

You looked around the room in caution then scooted closer to the edge of your chair. “We were at his house. I’ve been going there to do my laundry. So he got me into baking cookies with him.”

One of Keery’s brows arched. “Baking cookies?”

“He likes to cook just-” You waved your hand out. “Just listen! Okay?” You inhaled deeply then let it out slow to calm yourself. “So, we’re baking. Mixing up the mixes. I’m making one flavor, he's making another.” You looked down into your coffee. “I offered him a taste of mine. And rather than just wipe it off my finger, he ate it off my finger.”

“Oooh!” Keery whispered in awe.

You glared at her then smiled softly. “I’ve not had that warmth in a long time. I tingled, really tingled. I uh-” You drifted as you remembered his warm mouth on your finger, his soft lips, the glint of his honey brown eyes as he looked up at you. It happened again, the warmth followed slow and gentle through you, and there was the tingle. “Uhm-” You gasped and covered your mouth. “Oh, shoot. Is that the time?” You faked looking at your watch and stood up. “I should get to the med room.” You jumped up from your seat as Keery watched, trying to get you to wait a second as you dashed off.

Outside it was cold and stung your warm, blushing face. You took in deep breaths, exhaling huge clouds of white steam. You looked up into the sky, then as you glanced back down to earth you saw Alfie on the lawn, tossing down huge sacks of grass seed. The warmth flooded back as the mere sight of him reignited it.

You thought about darting away, but what good would that have done? Instead, you crossed the lawn, approaching him from the side. He looked up in surprise, happily chucking down a sack without much care.

“Lady Ginseng, what a surprise,” he chuckled.