Phoenix by Raine Anthony Read Free Book Online

believe I’ve had the pleasure.” She holds her hand out to me, but by the
look on her face I’d say meeting me is far from a pleasure for her.
    “I’m Eve. I just moved in. I teach history at St. Paul’s.”
    “Oh yes, the new school teacher. My son is in one of your classes,” says
the other one, who’s shorter with dark brown curls. “I’m Cathy.”
    “Hi Cathy. It’s nice to meet you both.”
    “I see you two new neighbours seem to be getting on,” says Deborah, with
a hint of distaste of which I cannot account for, other than she might have a
fondness for Phoenix.
    “That’s right,” Phoenix cuts in, and continues, “I’m going to the market
with Eve now. So if you’d excuse us, we’d best be on our way.”
    “That’s quite alright. Let us know if you change your mind about the
council,” says Cathy.
    Deborah looks between me and Phoenix suspiciously. She knows perfectly
well that he’s simply trying to get away and using the market as an excuse.
    “I’ll do that, Cathy,” he says, before stepping close to me and taking me
by the hand. My fingers slide perfectly between his, almost like his hand was
made for mine.
    These are the kind of romantic thoughts I would do well to avoid.
    Deborah’s eyes practically explode out of her head. Seconds later Phoenix
is guiding me down the path away from them. I give the women a half-hearted
wave goodbye, too busy staring down at our intertwined hands. Suddenly, I’m
aware of the fact that I have never actually held hands with a man before, not
like this anyway.
    “I wonder why they didn’t ask me to help out with the council, too,” I
ponder with amusement to distract myself from the current hand holding taking
place.
    “You’re new. Deborah isn’t fond of strangers. Or pretty young women for
that matter.” He glances at me sideways and winks.
    Pretty! I have to hold my mouth tight to keep from grinning like a fool.
    “Oh.”
    Phoenix breaths in and out audibly. “It’s a fresh morning,” he says.
    “It is. So, did you really want to come to the market with me, or were
you only trying to get away from Deborah and Cathy?”
    He purses his lips. “A bit of both.”
    We continue our walk in silence until we get to the market. The place is
bustling with people. We slowly walk from stall to stall. I buy some things
while Phoenix watches silently by my side.
    “Are you going to buy anything?” I ask.
    “There’s nothing I need at the moment,” he replies. “Nothing I can get here,
anyway.” There’s an intensity to his words that makes butterflies flit through
my belly.
    “Well, I think I’ve got everything I was looking for. I should head back.”
    “Alright.”
    It seems he’s not in much of a mood for conversation today, despite his
animated greetings earlier on. As we turn to leave I notice Margaret approaching
us, grinning widely. An elderly man I presume to be her husband follows behind
her.
    “Well hello, Eve,” she says warmly, a twinkle of excitement in her eyes
as she looks to Phoenix. I imagine she finds it intriguing that we’re here
together.
    She looks to Phoenix again. “And hello to you, too, Phoenix. I didn’t
know you shopped at this market.”
    He stares at her humourlessly. Clearly, she’s fishing for information.
    “I don’t. I came with Eve,” he replies.
    Margaret’s smile falters slightly at his no nonsense response. She
focuses her attention back on me. “Will I still see you for lunch?”
    “Of course. I’m looking forward to it.”
    “Very good. I’m cooking a roast. And indeed, Phoenix is welcome to come
too if he’d like.”
    “I have prior arrangements,” says Phoenix without hesitation.
    Now Margaret’s expression has no smile in it at all. “Oh well, that’s a
pity,” she clears her throat. “Good day to you both. Happy marketing.” And with
that she saunters away, her seemingly mute husband in tow.
    As we walk in the direction of home, I ask Phoenix if he is sure he would
not