“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 debatingbetween 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 needis 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 spilledallthe 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 youdoneed 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 weweren’tdating, 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 itback 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?”
