“Sure.” He puts a hand on the doorjamb above me, leaning closer. “We’ll take Kelani for her first neighborhood walk.”
Reaching out, I run my finger down the front of his shirt. I don’t know why I do it. I’m not his girlfriend. “I’ll get changed.”
“So they’re havingto replant all the peach trees?” Austin sits across from me, concern lining his handsome brow. “That sounds like a lot of work.”
I nod, swallowing my sip of perfectly brewed cappuccino. “It is, and we’re not even sure if it will solve the problem. Armillaria is highly invasive. It grows underground, so it’s hard to know the extent of the spread. Even if we kill it, the ribosomes can be in the soil, and it starts all over again.”
“Shit,” he hisses under his breath, glancing to the side.
“Do they communicate through the roots like inThe Last of Us?” Knox leans forward in his chair.
“No,” Edward answers flatly. “The Last of Usis a fictional program based on a video game. Armillaria is not cordyceps, and even if it were, there’s no evidence plants can communicate in such a manner.”
I fight a grin at his curt response. It’s so Edward.
Mav puts his hand on my knee. “I still think it’s cool you’re learning how to stop it. I hope you found what you were looking for at the conference.”
“It was an amazing experience." I look down at his large hand, and I reach down to cover it with mine, thinkingabout all the texts we’ve shared and how earnestly he’s listened to my fears. “I shared a lot of it with my uncles.”
I study the way my ivory skin appears against Mav’s olive tone. It’s a nice combination. Then I realize a moment of silence has fallen.
“How’s your mom doing?” Knox breaks it. “She must be pretty upset about all this. Aren’t the peaches part of her skin care line?”
I blink away from Mav’s hand. “She’s upset, like we all are. But I mean, we’re doing our best to keep going. My best friend Boo is getting married in a few weeks. She wants to have the ceremony in the orchard with the peach blossoms on the trees…”
“That sounds nice,” Knox says.
“Yeah.” I sigh, thinking about it. “It’s like this strange juxtaposition of the joyfulness of a wedding slammed right up against the fear of what could come.”
“Maybe it’ll bless the trees,” he suggests hopefully.
It’s a nice thought. I tilt my head to the side, and my lips curl down. “Maybe.”
“Sounds like abutis in there.” He gooses my side, and Mav cuts his eyes at him.
I shake my head. “Sorry, there’s not. It’s a lovely thought. Thank you, Knox.”
“What’s bothering you?” Mav’s voice is quiet, and he watches me with so much concern.
I exhale a groan, shaking my head. “It’s just… more Corey Hayes.”
His dark brow lowers at once. “What does he have to do with it?”
“He’ll be at the wedding, of course, and he’s texting me about being my escort and preserving our heritage.” I adopta mocking, pompous tone. “I hate going back and seeing him without having solid answers.”
“I didn’t realize you’d have to see him. Do you have to go?”
“Of course, I do.” I huff a laugh. “I’ve known Boo since we were babies. I’m a bridesmaid. I would’ve been Maid of Honor if I hadn’t come here…”
“I don’t want you to go alone.” His shoulders broaden, and his expression is fierce.
I confess, Mav giving angry-protector vibes is hot.
“I won’t be alone. I’ll have Mom and Dad and all my family around me.”
Knox joins the fray now. “Who the fuck is Corey Hayes, and why do I already hate him?”
“He’s this dickhead whose family is trying to take over the orchard,” Mav answers. “He keeps bullying Dove.”
