Page 36 of Bad Beehavior

I smile up at Bee. “Alright, let’s get this thing started.” I throw open the doors, flick on the light, and urge people to enter.

“Good morning,” Bialar says from the counter as he flips a rag over his shoulder and strides toward me.

Bee shakes his hand and takes his place at the front counter, checking people in for the event.

“How does it look?” I ask Bailar, wringing my hands together and balancing from one foot to the other.

He shakes his head, and his wings flutter behind him. “It looked great before you left last night. All I did was spray some of the daffodils in the back corner. They’re blooming to life now.”

I sigh with relief, hugging him. “Thanks, Bailar. What would I do without you guys?”

He’s not a very touchy-feely guy, and he stiffens awkwardly under my hold. I chuckle and give him his space.

“Alright, well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You don’t want to stay for the event?” I ask. “I’d love to make sure everyone knows how much you, Bane, and Bee have helped bring this garden to life.”

He looks up at the ceiling, fidgeting with his hands. “No, I actually have somewhere I need to be.”

I wouldn’t usually question his plans; it’s none of my business, but from his uncomfortable posture, I can’t help myself. “Alright, tell me where you’re going. If you don’t, I will just snoop and find out anyway.”

“I, uhh, have a date.” He looks down at the ground, his yellow cheeks reddening.

“A date!” I yell, jumping to my feet. “Oh my God, where did you meet her!”

“Shhh, can you keep it down? This is my first date, and I’m already nervous. I met her on a dating app called Bumbles for human females and the Colony males.”

“This is so exciting! She’s going to love you. I bet you were flooded with requests from women. All I can hear about is how much any woman would die for a Colony Man.”

“I know, that’s why I’m nervous. I want someone who likes me for me, not because of my potent pollen. I want what you and Baryx have.”

My heart softens, and I place my hand on his shoulder. “I know, Bailar. You’ll find it, trust me. But the first step is going on a date and putting yourself out there. Just have fun.”

He nods. “Thanks. Well, I better get going.”

“Bye, thanks for everything! Make sure you text Bee tonight and tell him how it went! I want all the details.”

He shakes his head with a smile and shimmies his way around the crowd entering the event.

Seeing the mass of people drops the pit of urgency back in my stomach. I make my way to the counter to help Bee check people in.

Bane enters within minutes and takes over our place at the counter.

“Let's go see how it’s going out there,” Bee says, pulling me toward the doors leading out to the garden.

We step into the sunlight, cameras clicking and classical music playing around us. Bailar was right. It does look just like it did yesterday, but seeing the pathways crowded with people gawking up the exhibits makes it feel so much more real. It’s as if it’s the first time I’m noticing the peony bunny positioned in the middle of the sunflower garden or the six-foot tall water fountain with floating lilies in every layer and baby ducks splashing at the bottom. It’s a freaking flower wonderland in here, and I feel like the floral version of Willy Wonka.

“It looks great,” I say as I stare up in wonder at the life all around me.

Bee wraps me in his arms and kisses me on the forehead. “This is all you.”

“Are you kidding me? If it weren’t for you and your friends’ jizz this place would be a bunch of dead twigs. You’re the one who brought life to my business. You brought life to all aspects of my world.” I rub my belly, staring up at him and watching the love swim around in his eyes.

“You are the giver of everything good in my life. You are my life,” he says before capturing my lips with his and cupping my ass.

Our tongues get lost between us, and I feel like I’m floating in the clouds above. That’s until I pull back and realize Bee has flown us into the sky.

I look down at my garden, buzzing with life, my heart so full I’m sure it will drop right through me.

My life is better than anything I could have dreamed of, and all because I wanted to fuck a bee. Who would have thought?

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