“Bloomberry punch,” Juniper replied with a smile.
Granik nodded then reached out for my cup. “Refill?”
“Yes, please.”
“Oh, there’s Kevin over by the vegetable trays,” Granik said, gesturing. “Should I bring him back with me?”
I narrowed my gaze at him and asked, “Did you want to die tonight or…”
Granik laughed then headed off.
I looked over Juniper’s purple overalls. She’d embroidered the legs and bib of her overalls with delicate purple flowers with silver-green leaves and stems. A matching crocheted handkerchief held back her curling blonde hair. “You look and smell delightfully of lavender.”
“An homage to Granik’s farm. I’m even wearing a perfume from his plants. Of course, he went rogue and decided not to match me at all.”
I looked back at Granik who was wearing tan-colored overalls with barley shafts attached to the legs and bib of his overalls. “Ale.”
She laughed. “Yes. Ale.”
“Orcs never change.”
We both laughed.
“So, has Kevin found you already?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Now I begin the dance of avoidance for the rest of the night.”
“With all the frolics, you’ll find a way. If not, Granik can always stand in front of you and block you from Kevin’s view.”
I laughed, my eyes shifting to the orc once more. Granik was a towering wall of green muscle with long, black hair and short tusks. Despite his size and fierce appearance, he was such a calm, pleasant person who had caught the eye of many Moonshine Hollow ladies, but none of them had won his heart.
Smiling softly, I said, “It was nice of Granik to invite you.”
“He hates coming to things like this alone,” she said, her gaze shifting back to the orc.
Granik was chatting with a number of others gathered, his hand on Cousin Bob’s shoulder. A gaggle of children playing tag raced around him, using the orc’s massive frame in their game. He laughed at their antics as he chatted easily with the others.
“He only thinks he’s an introvert,” Juniper added.
We both laughed, but I noticed how Juniper’s eyes lingered a moment too long, a soft smile forming on her lips. After a moment, she seemed to collect herself then looked away.
“Speaking of introverts,” I said. “You will never guess who I had the pleasure of arguing with today.”
Juniper cocked her head sideways in confusion. “You had an argument with someone?”
“Not just anyone. Master Erasmus.”
Juniper gasped lightly. “The gargoyle?”
I nodded then proceeded to tell her what had transpired at the library. Granik returned just as I was finishing my tale. He leaned in to hear, his eyes wide.
“What will you do?” Juniper asked.
“Oh, I’m not letting him get the better of me. We will have our party.”
Granik nodded. “If anyone can convince him, Prim, it’s you.”
“I’m sure it will be beautiful as always,” Juniper added. “You just have to help him see it.”
