Page 98 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

“It has,” Percival said.

They’d met. They’d hated each other. Percival had died and been reborn. Then they’d fallen in love. There had been a brief period where Percival forgot they’d fallen in love and he returned to hating Leo. But here they were, in love once again.

“I thought you were such a prick when you walked into the bakery!” Leo said.

Percival laughed. “I thought you were an insolent little shit.”

“But did you think I was handsome as well?” Leo waggled his eyebrows.

Percival pressed his lips together, as if suppressing a smile. “Not really. I thought you were pretty plain looking. Easily forgettable.”

“Liar!” He tugged Percival into his arms. “You found it hard to resist my blinding attractiveness and my overwhelming charm. Admit it!”

Percival laughed and wrapped his arms around Leo’s shoulders. “I’m finding them hard to resist now.”

Leo gazed into Percival’s orange eyes. He stroked his fingers through Percival’s hair. “I thought you were the most beautiful person I’d ever seen when you walked into the bakery.”

Percival smiled. “I know.”

The bakery window slid open. “Oi!” Jasper called out. “Stop lazing around, you two, whilst the rest of us are all hard at work.”

“I’m busy, Jas!” Leo yelled back. “And our pies are already in the oven.”

Jasper rolled his eyes as he closed the window. But he smiled and winked.

Leo swallowed. It appeared he had his twin back.

“Should we head in?” Percival looked at the bakery window.

“In a minute. Ebony still hasn’t finished eating.” As much as Leo loved Christmas Day with his family, he wanted a couple more minutes alone with Percival.

They turned and watched Ebony eating.

“I’m really grateful for everything that has occurred since meeting you.” Leo wrapped his arm around Percival.

“Me too.” Percival leaned into the touch. “I’m glad to be a phoenix reborn at Christmas.”