Page 22 of Petals and Plot Twists
“Not in the spring. He has terrible seasonal allergies. Once the pollen dies down, he’ll come.”
“Honestly,” Archer says, “maybe it’s better if the flower isn’t ever caught on video. Can you imagine how the world would react if everyone knew there was a love-detecting flower on our roof? This probably needs to remain one of The Serendipity’s secrets.”
“Oh, like the corpse flower,” Willa says. “I’ve heard people buy tickets and stand in line for hours to smell those things.”
I definitely don’t want people waiting in line to walk through my garden, so as much as I wish Peter could see the flower bloom, I have to agree with Archer and Willa. “Corpse flowers absolutely smell like death,” I say. “And I think you’re right. The broader public might ruin the magic.” What I don’t say out loud is that I don’t think the magic showed up for everybody else anyway. I’m pretty sure it showed up just for me.
“I wonder if it would work on your mom,” Willa says. “Maybe help her find someone she could finally settle down with.”
Willa has heard enough of my grumbling when it comes to my mom’s dating habits, I’m not surprised by her suggestion, though I have absolutely no confidence it would ever work.
“I think she’d have towantto settle down first,” I say, and Willa chuckles.
“Ha. True. Which is why it’s absolutely going to work for you,” she says. “You want it to.” She looks up at Archer. “Sophie has a new dating plan, and it’s totally brilliant and amazing. She’s calling it Operation Soulmate.”
“Do I want to know the details?” he asks dryly.
“Don’t sound judgy,” Willa says. “It’s a good plan.”
“I don’t know that I would call it brilliant or amazing,” I say. “It’s actually pretty simple. I opened a dating profile on Swipe Rite, and every time I match with a guy, I’m just going to invite him up here. If the flower doesn’t bloom, no date. If it does, well, then I’ve found my one true love.”
Archer frowns. “Sophie, it’s not a good idea to invite strange men back to your apartment.”
“Not back to my apartment. Just to the garden,” I say. “And Peter already promised he would help, so I’ll be safe.”
“I thought you said Peter can’t come on the roof because of his allergies,” Archer says, arms folded across his chest.
Goodness, this man’s good opinion is hard to earn.
“I already worked that part out,” I explain. “I’ll be on the roof when my date arrives, and Peter will let him in the building, then walk him up here. He’ll hover in the stairwell, out of sight but close enough to hear me should I need him, and stay long enough for me to flower-check the guys.”
Archer’s frown doesn’t budge even the tiniest bit, and I begin to question the merits of my plan. “I know it seems harsh to cancel dates if the flower doesn’t open,” I add, “and I might have to get creative in how and why I do it since I can’t exactly be honest. But I’m most concerned about efficiency, and I’d rather not make a guy buy me dinner when I know I won’t say yes to a second date.”
Even as I say the words, a smidgen of doubt—or is it guilt?—wriggles in the back of my mind.
I really don’t like lying to people. But ending dates before they’ve even begun will definitely require some lying. I could always tell the truth, but is that truly a better option when it will invariably make my dates think I’ve completely lost my mind?
“That’s generous of Peter,” Archer says. “How long will you keep him hovering in the stairwell?”
“That was actually his idea,” I say. “I told him he could just prop the door open and leave, but he insisted he wouldn’t leave me alone with a man I’ve only just met. But it shouldn’t take long. Just a few minutes of chatting for me to see if the flower blooms.”
“Peter’s right to stay with you,” Archer says. “A lot of things could go wrong.”
“They won’t, though,” I say. “I trust the magic to take care of me. It certainly took care of you and Willa.”
His expression softens the slightest bit. “All right. Just don’t get yourself hurt,” he says, this time with a hint of warmth in his voice that makes me think he cares, even if he does think my plan is completely ridiculous.
Which, I’ll be honest.
It might be.
Chapter Eight
Peter
Clearly,I am a glutton for punishment.
It’s the only logical explanation for why I agreed to help Sophie with her outlandish plan.
