Page 8 of Iris
Chapter Three
I can only think of a few people to talk to. Well, text to. I open our group conversation and decide to go for it.
HALP. I just made out with a super-hot vampire and almost kissed Noah!
Only a few seconds pass before a reply pops up from Jasmine.
Jasmine:You don’t need help. You need to get back there and do more xxx. PS, where are the pictures? Proof or they don’t exist.
Oh, Jasmine. I smile as more replies come through.
Buttercup:That was fast. Didn’t you just leave my shop just a few hours ago?
Rose:Ok, we need more details. Come to Vee?
The others all join in with agreement and I sigh.
I have plans tonight, but tomorrow night?
They agree for tomorrow night at seven. I receive a private message from Buttercup.
Buttercup:You okay?
Am I? I think I'm still freaking out a little on the inside.
Dunno. Trying to figure out how this has happened. The most anyone could ever call me is cute as a button big girl. But I felt sexy when they looked at me.
Buttercup:You’re a wonderful, weird, crazy person. Any guy would be lucky to have you.
Same to you, girly.
I put my phone away as I go into the kitchen to start lunch. The extra croissant that Buttercup included for me is ready on the countertop. As I decide what I want to make, I put on my pink frilly apron that my younger brother got me a few birthdays ago. it's a beautiful crisp day out, so I decide it's perfect for soup!
The fresh herbs are along the kitchen window sill. I only need a few for the corn chowder I'm making. Being a plant witch comes in handy. I never need to use scissors to snip the plants. The plants willingly give me what I ask for. Small sprigs of thyme and parsley go into the pot as the other ingredients join them.
“That smells like rotten garbage.” Igor is sniffing, at least, I assume that’s what she is doing, the air. “How can you eat that swill?”
“Um, because it’s not swill? You eat bugs. You’re not one to judge.”
“That’s because bugs, especially flies, are delicacies that your feeble body just can’t comprehend.” She huffs behind me.
I don’t bother replying as I continue making the food. I won’t have time to sit to eat it, but I can bring it into the shop and eat in between customers. Today is slow anyway.
The rest of the day passes in a daze. Customers come in and out throughout business hours. All of the pastries sell out when someone wants to give a special message with their flowers. I always tell the customer what the flowers represent. When closing time comes, I don’t spend any time dallying before I lock up.
I’m not sure what time Dorian will be here, but I want to change clothes at the very least. The uniform always makes me look like a student, which sometimes I enjoy, but not for this. I need to be comfortable. That means an oversized hoodie and baggy sweats. Not really sexy, but I want to test the spell’s limits. It also might have something to do with my confidence when faced with this elegant, hot vampire.
“It’s not obvious AT ALL that you’re trying to turn him off.” Igor ruffles her leaves.
“Oh, fine. Maybe it's. I mean, if a spell didn’t suddenly appear from that book, you and I both know that neither Noah or Dorian would have looked twice at me.”
“That’s not what I heard from Dorian. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and actually give the guy a chance. Noah? Who knows? He’s a hunk, but he’s also a player, and probably not bright. You know how fairies are.” She chuckles at her own joke.
Rolling my eyes, it's my turn to huff. Igor has a point. I really should be an adult about this, not that I'm going to tell her that. She already has an inflated ego bigger than Texas. I’ve just reached for a different top when a knock, on my personal door, sounds. Looks like I won’t have a chance to change clothes after all.
My nerves are getting the best of me as I smooth my hair on my head, even though I’ve already checked to make sure my ponytail is tight with no flyaways.
“Hey, Dorian, I---.” My eyes widen. It isn’t Dorian at the door. it's Noah. “Noah? What are you doing here?”
