Page 112 of Starrily

“How did you know about this place?”

“I asked your family for date spots. This ranked number two, after the alley behind Nana Rosie’s restaurant, where all the teenagers like to make out.”

Callie burst into laughter. “I’m glad you went for this one instead.”

“Too many embarrassing memories with the first one?”

“Not really. But the tree … I always liked coming here as a kid when I wanted peace. For some reason, people don’t visit, even though it’s a nice place and not far from town.”

Thatwasstrange. And when he asked for directions to the tree in town, nobody knew anything about it. Luckily, he was able to find it eventually.

“Would you mind if I go greet it?”

Raleigh blinked. “Uh, sure—I mean, no, I wouldn’t. Are you talking about the—”

Callie stood and went to the tree. She touched the bark gently at first, then wrapped her arms around the trunk.

“Tree,” he finished.

“Hey, old buddy,” Callie said. “I missed you.”

The Guidrys were getting to him—Raleigh half-expected the tree to say something back. “I’m pretty sure that thing is a mutant.”

Callie returned to the blanket. “Theycangrow this tall. But most people prefer smaller varieties for their gardens.” She looked from the tree back at Raleigh, her eyes shining.

Not just her eyes—there was something different about Callie as a whole. Maybe the occasion, the perfect setting, made her look so magical and beautiful, but Raleigh still suspected there was an additional change underneath. The way she moved and talked—there was a lightness, a freedom that hadn’t been there before.

He shook his head. “So, back to the point.”

“Ah, yes.” She looked around. “I believe I was promised a party and a yacht, and I don’t see either.”

“Nothing I can do about the latter unless you know some sunken boats in the swamp. As for the former … I was hoping we could still have a good time.” He reached into the basket at his side and brought out a bottle of wine and two glasses. “According to Tony, this is the best he has in his store. I didn’t dare question him, lest he teleport me to prison.”

Callie snorted.

“But first,” he said as he put the wine back down, “there are some things we need to clear up.”

“Raleigh …”

“Please. I have to do this.”

She shut up and hugged her knees. He drew a rolled-up piece of paper from the basket and gave it to her.

She unrolled it and frowned as she skimmed over it. “You’re giving me a contract?”

“A new contract for Aries Tech funding your project. One that Everett can’t cancel or amend and which gives you all the needed funding up front. It’s been signed by me and the representative at QueLabs—Dr. Watzmann, his name is?”

Callie continued to check the paper.

“You’ll also notice there are no annoying clauses in it, such as requiring someone from Aries to shadow you at work.”

She lifted her eyes. “Why?”

“You could claim it’s because it makes me a bit jealous, but really, it’s so that you can work in peace, and no one has any ulterior motives—”

She laughed. “No, I mean, why did you do this? The whole new contract?”

“Because I had to set it right. I never wanted to go along with Everett’s ploy, but I did, anyway. My unwillingness is not an apology for my actions. But all of my feelings were true. When I was trying to cheer you up, it was because I wanted you to be happier. When I got you the spot at the observatory, I did it to helpyou, not any project you had going on, and not my company. And yes, when I poked at you and talked back to you, it was because you were really getting on my nerves.”