Page 66 of Hard to Get

Jayden joins me at the island.

“Would you like a drink?” I ask. “I have wine and beer. Or some soft drinks.”

“Coke Zero?”

“I have Diet Coke.”

He sighs. “Okay.”

“There’s no difference!”

He gasps. “Yes, there is. But it’s fine. I’ll get it.”

He makes himself at home pouring himself a drink. I already have a glass of red wine.

“Dinner’s mostly ready, but we don’t have to eat right away.” I move to stand by the table. “I love these cymbidiums.” They’re pure white with a bit of pink and bright yellow. “Do you want to know the parts of an orchid?”

He looks at me like I just asked if he wants to shave his armpits.

I laugh. “You’re going to love this.” I gently touch one flower with my index finger. “This is a petal.”

His eyebrows lift.

“And these are sepals.”

“Okay.”

“Now look closely here… this is the column.”

His eyes narrow as he studies it.

“With the stigma and the pollinia.” I point to the stem. “And here’s the ovary and ovules.”

His gaze snaps up to mine.

I grin.

“And this…” I brush the petal that’s speckled with pink. “Is the lip, or labellum.”

“You’re shitting me.”

“I am not. These are the callus ridges. And look at this.” I indicate the bright-yellow part in the interior of the flower. “It’s the anther cap. It’s tiny, but what does it remind you of?”

He studies it then looks up at me again, lips twitching. “Is this why you’re so interested in orchids?”

“No.” I smile serenely. “I just think they’re pretty. I learned this stuff when I took the course. Also, sometimes, orchids produce a sticky sap called “happy sap”.”

A crack of laughter burst out of him. “Jesus.” He gestures at the flower. “Who knew orchids were so erotic.”

“Right? I told you you’d enjoy it.”

He shakes his head, lips curved in amusement.

We move over to the couch. Betty joins us immediately, begging for attention from Jayden, and once again, he pets her fondly.

He likes my dog.

Then Frank noses his way in, jealous, and Betty jumps over Jayden to sit on the other side of me.