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I cringed the moment I sent it. I was pretty sure I’d never asked any of my other friends if they liked a specific vegetable, but that was still normal, right? A normal, casual thing to text a friend on a Saturday morning.

Flustered, I fired off another text. I love cucumber. My dad already grows like three different types but these are all small and cute.

Then another. He likes finding new unusual plants to grow.

Forcing myself to pocket my phone, I got up and went to pull on my boots by the front door when I heard Mom and Nolan coming down the stairs. Nolan still looked half-asleep, his lavender hair sticking out wildly from the hood of his gigantic sweatshirt.

“I’m getting pancakes,” he croaked as he sat on the floor to pull on his sneakers.

“Me too.”

He looked up at me, pale green eyes—just like Dad’s—still heavy with sleep. “Bet I can eat more than you.”

“I’m not gonna stuff pancakes down my throat just to try and beat you, asswipe.”

“’Cause you know you wouldn’t win.” He heaved himself up and wiped his nose with his sleeve. He was so grody sometimes.

As Mom wandered off to collect Dad—who’d probably already forgotten we were heading out—he stepped closer and whispered, “Hey, so where were you the other night? Getting laid? By who? You seeing someone?”

“None of your B, Brolan.”

He looked a little hurt, which made me feel bad. “I just wanna know if you’re feeling comfortable enough to date now. You know, because of your nub.”

I flushed. Nolan was an annoying twerp most of the time, but despite the age gap between us, we’d always been close.

“Um, kind of.” I glanced toward the kitchen. “But don’t mention it to Mom and Dad. It’s not a… It’s just…”

“Cone of silence, broseph.” He grinned at me, then tried to scrub at my hair as I slapped his hand away. “Little Larky is growing up.”

“Shut your face, dickweed.”

“Hey, when you get your own place, can I come live with you?”

“You’ll be at college soon,” I reminded him. Nolan had always done much better in school than I had.

“Yeah, but if you get a two-bed, I can have a room to crash in whenever I want.” He grinned at me slyly. “Unless you’re gonna move in with your new loverrr.”

“Ew, gross.” I weakly shoved his face as he snickered, but my belly jolted a little.

Seb’s place was nice. Quiet and fairly remote, but not far from town. I could sit outside in my fae form and not worry about being spotted. Or I could sit outside naked. I wondered how Seb would react to that.

Mom and Dad appeared in the front hall, both of them slipping on their sandals before we all shifted into human form and left. As I sat in the back of the car next to Nolan on the drive into town, I pulled out my phone and checked it, my pulse jumping when I saw Seb had replied.

I do like cucumbers. That sounds nice, and I bet your dad is happy. Is that what you’re doing today before work? Gardening with him?

I was grinning as I quickly replied. Nah, having breakfast with the fam. When they’re ready I’ll give you some if you want. The cucamelons I mean.

He responded almost instantly. Sounds nice. And yeah, I’d love some. I’d love to grow some of my own stuff but wouldn’t know where to start.

I can help, I quickly typed. If you want. My dad gets this giant catalogue with all different seeds and stuff. I can borrow it and we can pick some easy stuff to grow.

It took him a little longer to reply this time, and I fidgeted with my phone, restlessly glancing between it and out the window.

Finally, he sent back, Sure. Thanks. I’d like that.

So what are you doing today before work? I quickly sent back, wanting to keep the conversation going.

Just finishing up at the gym with Ludo. Then we’re gonna get something to eat.