Aurielle winced. “I’m so sorry!”
Coral waved a hand. “It’s fine. Maybe he won’t remember in all the chaos.”
“What did I say?” Yasmin asked, and I could see that she was racking her brain to remember.
“Not sure. I found you when you were about to eat another cupcake.”
A fuzzy memory started to form then, and I moaned. Everyone turned to look at me. “I think I told Callan he looked like a model from a magazine.”
Aurielle snorted with laughter, but Yasmin said, “I’m sure that’s nothing he hasn’t heard before.”
“I think I want to crawl into a hole and never come out,” I breathed.
“That’s how a ton of people are going to be feeling,” Coral said, then she walked to the window and peered outside. “I see teacups being passed around. Looks like Callan saved the day.”
I groaned. “Don’t speak his name.”
“Can you imagine what truths came to light during the party? This place is going to be a mess tomorrow. My sister said this happened once when she was in school here. Some friendships ended forever.” Yasmin’s face was solemn.
“Well, at least the four of us are still intact,” Aurielle said. “Sorry again, Coral.” My stomach unclenched slightly at her words. Despite whatever embarrassing conversation I’d had with Callan, my friend group had survived the night.
There was a knock on the door then, and Coral opened it. I stood up when I saw Callan standing there with Professor East. The instructor saw the teacups in our hands and nodded. “Looks like you already got them the antidote. Well done, Ms. Day. Now, someone said they saw you with the cupcakes. I’d like to have a look at those.”
“I took them and locked them in the spice cabinet after Callan told me they were laced.”
Professor East nodded. “Very good. We’ll make sure those are disposed of.” He turned and left us then.
Callan made eye contact with me, and I went to the door. We stepped outside and propped it closed behind us. “I wanted to see how you were. Did the detox tea work?”
“Well, I don’t feel compelled to spill my guts to youanymore, so I think so.” I hoped to make light of the situation so my embarrassment didn’t pull me under.
“Good. And just so you know… there’s nothing between Nevah and me.”
“Oh, okay. It doesn’t matter if there is…” I felt my cheeks flush and internally cursed theScopoliathat had surfaced some deep concern I hadn’t fully known I possessed.
“Yep, now I know the truth serum has worn off.”
I smacked his arm gently, and he chuckled. But then his expression tightened.
“Not that my parents wouldn’t be thrilled if there was. Trying to keep magical bloodlines powerful and all that aristocratic BS. She’d be the perfect match, in their eyes.”
“And in your eyes?” I couldn’t help asking. He was opening up more than usual, maybe to spare me some of the self-consciousness I was feeling.
“Nevah’s great, but I’ve never seen her as anything more than a friend. And the same is true for her.”
“Got it,” I said, biting my lower lip. I hoped the relief didn’t show on my face.
“I’m glad you’re safe,” Callan said softly. And then he was gone.
Chapter Forty-Six
When I got home that evening, exhausted from the aftereffects of theScopoliapoisoning, Bryce was pulling up to collect Aunt Vera for a Valentine’s Day dinner. He climbed the stairs to the apartment, arms full of two large bouquets of flowers.
“For you,” he said, giving my aunt a kiss, “and for you.” He handed the second bouquet to me, and I grinned.
“Ahhh, shucks,” I said teasingly. “You know you don’t have to keep buttering me up, Bryce. I’ve accepted that you’re not going anywhere. Don’t be afraid to keep the flowers coming, though,” I added quickly.
Aunt Vera gathered both of our bouquets and took them to the sink, then began to fill two vases with water. Bryce followed her, stopped at the poinsettia plant, and felt its velvety flowers.
