Page 100 of Wisteria and Cloves

Nicolaus was perched on the windowsill with a tablet resting on one knee, a sleek black stylus twirling slowly between his fingers. He glanced up, and our eyes met. His gaze wasn’t overt or demanding—it never was—but there was something in it that made my breath catch. Like he could see through me in a single glance and still wanted to look deeper.

“You’ll need a scarf,” he said matter-of-factly. “For the conservatory. The humidity inside mixed with the outdoor chill tends to mess with your thermoregulation.”

“Thank you,” I said, blinking. “I wouldn’t have thought of that.” His fingers stilled over the tablet briefly, and for just a heartbeat, there was something like softness in his expression. Then he looked down again, the stylus resuming its slow spin.

“You might also consider flats,” Miles added, finally easing away from the piano. “Their orchid section involves a lot of winding paths.”

I felt a strange little flutter in my chest at how casually thoughtful they all were. It wasn’t grand gestures or flashy declarations—it was attention. Real, tangible, lived-in care. I wasn’t used to that. It settled into my chest like warm tea on a cold day.

Then Christopher sat up abruptly, one finger raised. “SinceJulianhas officially claimed the first solo date, I propose we schedule ours next.”

Julian's eyes narrowed playfully. "You're assuming she wants a second date before the first one has even happened."

"Of course she does," Christopher replied with complete confidence, turning those gray eyes on me with a grin that was equal parts charming and mischievous. "Don't you, sweetheart?"

I felt heat creep up my neck at being put on the spot, but there was something infectious about Christopher's enthusiasm. "I... yes, I'd like that," I admitted, surprised by my own boldness.

"Excellent!" Christopher clapped his hands together. "I'm thinking cooking lessons. Just you, me, and whatever culinary magic we can create together. Fair warning though—I may get distracted by how adorable you look when you concentrate."

"Christopher," Julian warned, though his tone held more amusement than reproach.

"What? I'm being honest about my intentions. "Transparency is key in courting," Christopher added, winking at me. "And I intend to be very transparent about how utterly captivating I find our Lilianna."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. There was something disarming about Christopher's straightforward flirtation—it never felt pressuring or uncomfortable, just playful and warm.

"Fine," Julian conceded with a mock sigh. "But I get her first."

Miles stood from the piano bench, stretching slightly as he approached. "And I'll claim the third date, if that's acceptable to you, Lilianna?" His green eyes held mine with quiet intensity that made my breath catch.

"I'd like that," I said softly, wondering what Miles might have planned.

"Which leaves me for fourth," Nicolaus noted, setting his tablet aside. "How fortunate that patience is one of my many talents.”

Christopher groaned dramatically, flopping backward onto the rug. "Nicolaus, you make patience sound like a weapon."

"Isn't it?" Nicolaus replied with the hint of a smile, his blue eyes glinting with something that made my pulse quicken. "Good things come to those who wait."

The way he said it, low and deliberate, sent a shiver down my spine. There was something about Nicolaus that was different from the others—where Julian was protective, Miles gentle, and Christopher playful, Nicolaus was... intense. Like he saw everything and filed it away for later consideration.

"Well then," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the way all four of them were looking at me. "I suppose I have quite a week ahead of me."

"Just a week?" Christopher asked, propping himself up on his elbows. "Sweetheart, we're just getting started. Courting is a process, not a sprint."

Miles nodded, his green eyes warm. "Exactly. We want to know you—really know you—and that takes time."

The depth of commitment in his voice made my heart flutter. These weren't just casual dates they were planning; this was deliberate, intentional courting. They wanted to build something real with me.

"I think I'd like that," I admitted softly. "The taking time part."

Julian's hand found the small of my back again, his touch gentle but grounding. "Then that's what we'll do. No rush, no pressure."

"Speak for yourself," Christopher quipped, rising gracefully from the floor. "I'm already planning our next three dates after the cooking lesson."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what might those be?"

"Ah-ah," he said, waggling a finger at me with a mischievous grin. "That would ruin the surprise. But I will say this—one involves chocolate, another involves getting your hands dirty, and the third... well, let's just say I have plans to make you laugh until your sides hurt."

"That's remarkably vague," I pointed out, though I couldn't keep the smile from my face.

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