Page 60 of Goldilocks

Sam hardly spared Gary a glance, distracted instead by the silver-haired young man standing next to him. Austin scrunched his nose as if he didn’t like whatever Gary was saying to him. Dressed in a plain fleece, not unlike the one Sam had tried to offer Austin yesterday, and a plain pair of black trousers, Austin somehow looked like he’d just come from a catalogue shoot for a clothing brand.

“Has he been bothering Austin?” Sam asked, not taking his eyes off the pair.

“Austin is the guy he’s talking to?” Mary asked. Abby also peered over, though she looked more curious than concerned.

“Why is he so familiar?” Abby wondered.

“He was in the news a while back,” Sam answered absently. “Does he seem bothered to you?” he checked. Not that Sam ever noticed Austin looking anythingbutunhappy. His harsh words to Sam yesterday echoed in his head, and Austin’s stung expression as they were mirrored back at him bounced around Sam’s head too. What if Austin unleashed that caustic tongue on Gary? Someone who’d displayed violent behaviour in the past? Austin could end up getting himself into serious trouble.

“Not particularly,” Abby said. “And I think he was the one that approached Gary. Gary is the guy who punched you? Mary was telling me. You guys have beef?”

“No,” Sam answered.

“Why does he hate you then?”

Sam looked away from the pair. “You’d have to ask him,” he said. “I’ve never even talked to him before.”

Sam watched as Gary broke away from Austin. He went to the doorway leading inside, his eyes lingering on Sam before he disappeared indoors.

A chair was set next to Sam, squeezing into the space between him and Mary.

“Here, I’ll move…?” Sam scooted over and trailed off when he looked at the guy who’d placed the chair.

Goldilocks dropped into the seat next to Sam.

“There is room,” Goldilocks said.

Sam stared, caught off guard. Goldilocks, mercifully, wasn’t naked. He wore the clothes he had on the day he’d brought Sam through The Tear. A loose white shirt with golden embroidered sleeves and hems. Dark leather trousers. Feet tucked into soft-leather black boots. His curls were slightly damp and fell to hide pointed ear tips. His gills looked like pink scars.

And he was just sitting there. At the table. With them.

Sam had seen Adonis in the bar several times now, but something about Goldilocks being there was so incredibly jarring that it rendered him mute.

Goldilocks studied Abby, then he focused on Mary. “You are Sam’s sister?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said.

At the same time, Sam corrected, “Cousin.”

Mary openly stared at Goldilocks, and Sam realised Abby was doing the same thing. Sam bit the inside of his cheek. People from other tables stared too. Including a silver-eyed Austin sitting alone at the outdoor bar. His piercing gaze fixed on Goldilocks, and Sam frowned as he tried to read his expression. Sam remembered Austin asking about Goldilocks at the docks.

“I can arrange a prosperous match for you,” Goldilocks told Mary.

Sam choked on air, forgetting all about Austin.

Mary opened her mouth, and Sam readied himself for a throw down.

“A match?” Mary repeated. She sounded dazed.

Goldilocks nodded. “Red hair is uncommon back home. It will draw much interest. There are many wealthy merchants who would be eager to marry you.”

Sam propped his elbow on the table, hiding his face as it bloomed bright red.

“I see?” Mary said. “And who are you?”

Goldilocks frowned. His attention moved to Sam. “You have not told your family about me?”

Everyone looked at Sam. “I was just about to bring you up,” he lied, voice choking in embarrassment.