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Chapter Twenty-Six

T he day before my aunt’s wedding, Yasmin and I met in the flower gardens at Evergreen Academy.

Professor Tenella had granted me permission to take whatever I needed.

The flowers I cut would grow back in no time, thanks to the magically enhanced soil and the skills of botanists with floral affinities.

“I feel so horrible that I had to cancel as your plus-one at the last minute. Who knew that these field studies assignments were going to be so spontaneous? I wanted to try to wiggle out of the last-minute project this weekend, but I need to make a good impression on my field studies advisor. With the whole career opportunities thing?—”

I set a hand on her arm. “Yasmin, it’s fine. I was looking forward to you coming with me, but I’ll be okay on my own. Please don’t beat yourself up about it.”

“But you said you didn’t want to be a third wheel with Maci and Alex all night.”

I let out a puffy breath, and a wave of hair breezed away from my eye. “Yeah, that could be awkward. But I’ll survive. ”

“ Fronds . I’m a terrible friend. And Coral and Aurielle are both on studies this weekend too.”

“Seriously, don’t worry about it,” I assured her one last time. “Alex and I were friends at one point. It will all be fine.”

Yasmin continued to apologize as we walked through the flower beds with baskets, collecting huge bunches of chrysanthemums, dahlias, roses, anemones, and a smattering of luscious greens. The garden smelled heavenly this morning, and birds and honeybees flittered around us as we worked.

Once we had everything we needed, Professor Tenella used a Floracantus on the flowers for freshness, and we drove to the ranch venue where the wedding would be held. A large, empty commercial fridge was waiting for us.

We spent the next few hours assembling bouquets, boutonnieres, table arrangements, and a massive garland to decorate the arch my aunt and Bryce would get married under.

It was more than a two-person job, but with my magic twisting flowers together into perfect displays, we completed the task in a few hours.

We saved my aunt’s bouquet for last, and once done, we both sat back and admired it. “That is stunning, B,” Yasmin said.

“I don’t know if my aunt wanted a bouquet the size of Texas, but she’s getting one.” The arrangement was an explosion of whites, creams, pale pinks, and deep reds with a few pops of green, making it look like something from the cover of a bridal magazine.

“It pays to have a magical botanist for a niece, even if she doesn’t know about it.”

I laughed. “She’s going to wonder where I’ve secretly been harboring this florist talent all these years. I’m going to tell her I had some help from people at the academy, which is true. Thanks again, Yasmin. Couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You most certainly could have. I worked at a snail’s pace compared to you. Though I will say that the fern fronds I tucked into the garland really make the display pop. ”

“Absolutely. I can’t believe tomorrow is the big day. And I want to hear all about your field studies project when you get back.” Before she had a chance to apologize again, I continued. “Speaking of field studies projects, guess who finally received their assignment?”

Yasmin looked up abruptly, a grin spreading over her face. “You’ve been holding on to that bombshell all day? I knew it was coming! Which affinity gave you an assignment?”

“It’s a study on defensive plants, and it’ll be occurring somewhere in Mount Shasta, I think.”

Yasmin’s eyes widened. “Really? They managed to find someone with a project on defensives to take on a student? You’re high rollin’, B.”

“Professor East said this botanist has never had a field studies student before.”

“Not surprising, given how rare you all are.”

“I guess so. Have fun out there this weekend. You’ll have to share your tips when you get back.”

“Will do. And I promise to make it up to you for bailing on being your wedding date.”

“Please tell me you’re going to make me a fresh batch of makeup?”

Yasmin pursed her lips. “Something like that.”

I was debating between two miniature pies at the dessert bar that night when Callan approached me. He leaned a hip against the table and smiled mischievously.

“I heard you’re in need of a wedding date.”

“What?” I squeaked, swiveling to glance at my usual table. Yasmin caught my eye then looked straight at her food. The little chicken !

“Is your aunt not getting married tomorrow?” Callan folded his arms across his chest, and the corner of his mouth lifted.

“ In need is a strong term,” I said, stalling to gather my thoughts. I picked up one of the mini blackberry pies and pretended to examine it. For what, I had no idea.

“Really? Because I heard something about a former love triangle and?—”

I cut him off with a gasp. Had Yasmin seriously spilled all the beans? “There is not a love triangle.” I tried to say it firmly but couldn’t be sure of my success, given how mortified I was.

“Well, if you do need someone, I happen to have a lot of experience at fancy events.”

I tried to envision my options.

I could go to the wedding without a date and hang out with Maci and Alex all night, an awkward third wheel.

I could go to the wedding without a date and act like the strong, independent person I was and not be concerned about being a third wheel, but that sounded slightly exhausting.

I flipped the coin over in my mind.

If Callan came with me, I’d have to explain to everyone that we weren’t dating, which might cause more problems than it resolved. My aunt was fully capable of being cool and not making it into something it wasn’t. Bryce, on the other hand…

I suddenly had a vision of Callan spinning me around on the dance floor. Likely or not, it would only be possible if I agreed to let him be my date.

The coin flipped in my mind one last time, and Wendy Rhodes’s face was engraved on it.

Fronds . Callan had put distance between us because he didn’t want me to have anything to do with his family.

Did a stint as my wedding date serve as a departure from that?

Or was this our chance to get away from the prying eyes that Callan seemed to think were at the academy and just be ourselves, together?

I realized I was still clutching the miniature pie, and I set it back on the table. I glanced around meaningfully, as if suspicious of listening ears. “What about, you know… not wanting people to think we’re involved?”

“There won’t be other magical botanists at the wedding, will there?”

“You make a good point, Rhodes.”

“So you want me to come?”

“All right, yes. It could be helpful to have another magical botanist there in case the flowers start to wilt or something.”

Callan smirked. “Well, if it’s an official duty to keep the flowers from wilting, how could I say no?”

I rolled my eyes, though I was thrilled by this new development. “I have to go to the venue early to set up since I’m in the wedding party, but the ceremony starts at four. Meet me at three thirty? I’ll text you the address.”

At that moment, Hollis shouted to Callan from a nearby table. “Rhodes, come look at this!”

Callan glanced at him and nodded then turned back to me. “Any particular color I should wear?”

“Color?” I asked, thrown by the question.

“I know sometimes women like to color coordinate at these sort of things.”

I had to work very hard to keep my expression neutral at that moment. “True. Well, my dress is maroon, so if you have something that goes with that. But if not, it’s a Siskiyou County wedding. We’re fairly casual around here.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow. For this casual wedding.” I didn’t understand the teasing note in his voice on that word, but I smiled as I rolled my eyes.

As he turned to join his friends, I reached for his wrist, and he turned back around. “Thank you. While I’m not admitting there is a third-wheel situation, I’ll be grateful to have a friend at my side.”

The corners of Callan’s eyes crinkled, and he said, “Anytime, local. ”

I forced myself to walk at a normal pace as I returned to my table, miniature pies abandoned.

“What did he say?” Coral asked. She, Yasmin, and Aurielle leaned toward me as I took a seat.

“He’s coming to the wedding with me.”

“Perfect!” Yasmin couldn’t look more pleased.

“Yasmin! I didn’t ask you to invite him.”

“I know.” She looked guilty now. “But I felt so bad that none of us could come. And then Coral suggested—” She cut herself off, eyes going wide.

I turned to Coral. Of course . “This was your idea?”

She raised her hands, completely relaxed. “Guilty. But you should be thanking me.”

I covered an exasperated smile and kept my lips firmly closed.

I didn’t want to feed the rumor mill, even if it was just among my friends.

I scanned the teahouse for real this time, wondering about scouting plants.

How real of a threat was that? I shivered at the idea of plant spies listening in on our conversations, despite how innocuous they usually were.

“We’re friends right now. And that’s all .” I put an emphasis on the last word, hoping any prying ears would get the message. That was all we could be, at least as far as the world of magical botanists was concerned.

“Well then, a wedding sounds like the perfect opportunity for two friends ”—Aurielle put the last word in quotes with her fingers—“to enjoy a romantic moment on the dance floor.” My quietest friend wiggled her eyebrows.

I picked a chocolate-covered blueberry off Yasmin’s plate and popped it into my mouth to cover my blush. “We’ll see about that.”