“Enjoy your date with my idiot friend, Aster!” Ben called cheerfully.
Blushing pink and green, Aster lifted her gaze long enough to meet Ben’s gaze, glance at me, and then those bright lime eyes dipped to dart away.
Alfie came up on my left as Segrid boxed me in on my right. The Werewolf let out an obnoxious, “Awwww,” as he slung an arm over my shoulder, locked my head into his arm, and began scrubbing his knuckles hard down my head, dragging me along with him.
“Not funny,” I snarled, slapping at him weakly to get him off of me. I was strong, insanely so. I’d rather let him think he was having his fun than risk hurting him.
Aster… I was going to date a shy, retiring flower of a woman named Aster?
Once piled into Ben’s truck, I shook my head. “Aster is an old lady name,” I muttered.
“Wow,” Ben breathed. “And Pen saysI’man asshole.” Putting the truck in gear to pull out, Ben muttered, “You’re welcome, you ungrateful plant ass.”
“I don’t recall agreeing to go on a date with anyone,” I gritted out.
“But you will,” Alfie retorted confidently.
My answer was a long, frustrated growl.
Chapter 2
Aster
Iwas nervous. My hands were sweaty. Taking a hanky out of my purse, I wiped my hands on it. My fingers shook a little. I could barely believe my luck. I could barely take my eyes off of him when I saw him enter the nursery earlier today. He was so handsome it had taken my breath away. Tall, dark hair, beautiful bright green eyes the color of freshly cut grass. His glasses just made him cute, almost approachable, a plant-like Clark Kent. One hint of his scent and I was about to plant myself, total pun intended. Giddy with happiness, I giggled a little. I was so excited I thought I might sprout a few spontaneous blossoms.
Getting out of my car, careful of my clothes, I’d chosen a long, flowing skirt, dark blue with daisies all over it. My top was an off white, capped sleeved button up matching the petals of the creamy white daisies on my skirt exactly. I loved when things matched. I was going for,love at first sight, I’m yours, without trying to flat out throw myself at him. I’d brushed my hair until it gleamed, a small daisy on either side pulling the weighty length off of my face. My hair had turned purple the moment I’d seen him. Not many understood my hair or what the color changes meant, but Daus, my assistant manager at the nursery, he’d taken one look at my hair, the brightest purple it had ever been, and excitedly began to glance around. I’d been so obvious it was silly.
Did Greniv, my soon to be mate, I was sure of it, and date for the evening, like the color? Surely he knew it was all for him? We was a plant being, of the Marsh, like me. He’d know.
My heels clicked loudly as I made my way up the walk. They were my favorite pair, sling back black kitten heels with a peep toe. I was already a little taller than him, but I didn’t think he’d mind a smidge more height on me. I’d never been embarrassed by my height. I was rather proud of it, in fact. I was a Marsh woman and proud of it.
The cream soda I’d brought was cold in my hands, holding it giving me something to do rather than stand here and fidget. My hand lifted to knock on the door but it swung open before I could.
“Oh- Uhm- H-h-h-hello,” I blurted, suddenly feeling awkward and beyond shy as I stumbled back.
The man on the doorstep nodded and stepped out. Glancing from the cream soda in my hands to me, he scowled. “I don’t drink alcohol,” he muttered. He looked annoyed, and perhaps a little put out. He looked anything but happy right now. Had something upset him?
“Oh, it’s not-” I started to explain, but he waved it away.
“Best leave it in the trunk of your car.” He paused as he gave me a quick once over and glanced up. “You did bring your car…” He blinked at my tiny car. I jokingly called it my clown car. It wasn’t anything to look at but what did that matter? It was small, yes, but reliable. It had held up well all these years. It got me where I was going, not that I went anywhere all that often...
Standing there, fiddling with the cuffs of his shirt, he looked nice in a simple, cotton looking long sleeved black Army of Darkness shirt and well-worn blue jeans. I felt overdressed.
“Are we going- Are we going far?” I asked, walking towards my car.
“Ah- No, not really.” Now he looked a little embarrassed. “Just, ah…” His hand lifted, waving limply towards his backyard.
With the hood of my car hiding my expression, I smiled at that. He was adorably befuddled. He wanted to eat here, at his home. How very intimate. My heart gave a happy flutter.
“Why do plants hate math?” I asked, slamming the trunk of my car to walk back to him.
“I- What?” He looked so started by my question, he stood there blinking at me stupidly.
I forgot I was nervous, smiling as I replied, “They hate square roots.”
More blinking, and then he shook his head and chuckled a little.
“Get it?” I couldn’t help it, I grinned.
