“Define ‘look at me’.” I stare right back at her.
“Don’t pretend you’re innocent, new girl. I’m not as gullible as Calder.”
“If you think Calder is gullible, why aren’t you sitting with him right now?”
She blinks at me while she processes what I just said. Then she stands up, the chair sliding out behind her, and leans closer. “Stay away from him.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll make you wish you never came to Elderwood.” She walks away and doesn’t look back.
I eat slowly, aware of the room around me but refusing to shrink under it. The food tastes the same. The light through the windows is just as warm. Nothing has actually changed.
Except me.
By the time afternoon settles, I've made my decision.
The greenhouse is already occupied when I arrive.
Calder is near the center table, adjusting a tray of seedlings under the light. He looks up when I enter, his gaze sharp in a way that has nothing to do with dominance and everything to do with awareness.
"People are watching," I say quietly.
He nods once. "I know." No alarm. No irritation. Just acknowledgement.
"Does it bother you?"
His gaze meets mine, steady. "No."
I set my bag on the bench and pull on my gloves, rolling the cuffs down with practiced ease. The soil in the newtrays needs turning, labels need updating, and there's a section near the back wall that still needs clearing.
“I spoke to Sophie at lunchtime.”
Calder’s gaze snaps my way. “What about? Or do I not want to know?”
I give him a small smile. “She gave me a friendly warning to stay away from you.”
He stares outside through the foggy glass, his chest rising and falling steadily. “I’m sorry, Elowen. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Look…” This is going to be hard, but I’m going to say it once and then let it go. “If the greenhouse is interfering in your relationship, I understand if you don’t want to keep coming here.”
He smiles, and my heart performs a backflip. “Firstly, I’m not in a relationship… with anyone. Secondly, wild horses couldn’t keep me away from the greenhouse. Or from–”
Tyler arrives then, his toolbox slung over his shoulder.
"Is it just me," he says lightly, "or does it feel like the greenhouse got promoted?"
A borderline smile threatens to break free. "People noticed," I say. “We’re now official.” My eyes meet Calder’s, and Tyler’s gaze hops back and forth between the two of us.
"Official greenhouse owners or official friends?" He sets the toolbox down with a soft thud.
"Do friends need to be official?" I ask.
"I thought Juniper might be a little less picky if we say it out loud." He grins, his head disappearing under the workbenchto look for the cat. “Did you hear that, Juniper? We’re here to stay.”
Here to stay. That’s all I need.
A knock sounds at my door as I'm getting ready for bed.
