Page 5 of Rooting for Kiran (The Mate-Cute #1)
KIRAN
I knew Thea would return eventually. Just like I planned, the Talahecksiya is starting to lose its color along the edges. A few more days and that plant might be done for, possibly taking our bond with it.
The moment I’m done ridding myself of as much of the water from the little hose mishap while watering the plants as I can, I look up, catching sight of the way Thea is staring at me.
Her mouth is slightly open, her chest is heaving with heavy breaths, and her eyelids are droopy.
Did she… like what she saw? Did I turn her on by drying off?
Human women are so bizarre with what turns them on. Then again, maybe she’s ovulating? There was something about that in our Introduction to Earth courses when we landed here in the year 2020.
I can’t recall if we are allowed to ask the women that, but I have a strong suspicion I probably shouldn’t.
So, instead, I move closer to her. “Is everything okay? You’re not returning your plant, are you?”
My words seem to shake her from her stupor, and with a few rushed, hard blinks, her eyes catch onto mine.
“No. Absolutely not. But Willy is sick, and I was hoping one of you could help.”
“I’m sorry… Willy?” I ask.
She rolls her lips in while the corners of her mouth fight not to rise. “Uh, yeah… You know”—she points up to the dangling arm—“with the shape and all.”
I can’t help the laughter that falls from my lips. “Creative and very fitting. So, why do you think that Willy here is sick?”
Thea hands the plant over so she can point at all the pale edges. “He’s losing his color. I’ve been doing every single thing on the daily steps, but something’s wrong. I just know it.”
Yeah. You’re right, sweet girl. There is something wrong. You’re meant to be mine, and you still don’t know it. And once I figure out a way to tell you without scaring you off, I hope you’ll accept that fact.
Instead of saying those things to her, I just say, “I see exactly what you’re talking about. Good catch. I think I can do something about this.”
“Seriously?” The excitement in her voice has me getting twitchy. I love that she’s so thrilled about this plant.
With a nod, I lead the way toward a quiet corner with a table I sometimes work at during the day while the other employees attend to the customers and cash registers.
Thea scurries after me, placing both of her hands on the table and looking down at the plant as I work. Her arms push her plump breasts together, and I can’t help sneaking a peek at the cleavage almost bursting its way through the V-shaped scoop of her white silk blouse. She must’ve stopped here on her way to work, which has me wondering what sort of job she has. Something in a nice office, judging by the business attire.
Clearing my throat, I turn my focus back to the Talahecksiya. “Absolutely. It’s sort of the bonus for being one of the aliens that can work on plants. I can definitely fix this, but I’ll need to keep it for the day.”
She steps back and crosses her arms. “All day? For what? I have a job to get to.”
I snicker. “I figured, but no worries, you can swing by and grab Willy on your way back home. Is that okay? This sort of healing takes a few hours, and I want to make sure everything goes according to plan.”
“Yeah. I—” Thea stops speaking to pull out her phone. “Do you have a business card, or something with your contact information on it, that I can take a photo of to get in touch with you? Just in case I can’t make it before closing and need to let you know.”
“You’re taking this plant parent thing very seriously, huh?”
Thea’s brows furrow. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
I throw up my hands, quietly chuckling as I try not to look her up and down. “Nothing. It’s endearing to see you care so much about Willy that you’re almost treating me like a babysitter.”
Her eyebrows rise in shock. “Oh my God. I am, aren’t I?” One of her delicate hands reaches up to wrap around her forehead. “How embarrassing. I have no idea what’s gotten into me. I’m not a plant person.”
“Seems like you are to me.”
She shakes her head. “No, you don’t understand. I’ve killed several cacti. I think I’m cursed.”
My mouth forms a straight line. “Well, that is a tad worrisome, isn’t it?”
“Maybe I should return Willy? His likelihood of surviving will definitely increase tenfold by staying with you.”
This is not going as planned. She can’t return him— it . Damn it. Now she has me giving the plant pronouns.
“Now, now. Let’s not get carried away. Why don’t we start with seeing what I can do? Come by after work to pick it— him up, and we’ll go from there. ’Kay?”
Thea nods. “Sure. Yeah… Okay. I’ll see you later.”