Page 31 of Shift of Morals
“I am right here,” Gianna snapped.
“Yeah,” Moira acknowledged. “Things won’t be so fun after the wedding.”
Caelan and I were locked in a staring contest. “Quadruple, and you stop trying to force your hand.”
Caelan’s eyes narrowed. “You know I won’t stop.”
I huffed out an annoyed breath. “Quadruple anyway.”
“Done.” He gestured with his hand. “Please. Sit down.”
My eyes narrowed.
“Just for dinner and flower arrangement discussion. That’s all.”
I slowly sat back down, adjusting my skirt. The servers swept in and cleared our plates, but I didn’t have a chance to mourn the salad I didn’t eat because another wave of servants swept in with the second course.
No one said anything for a long moment. Caelan picked up his fork. “Please. Let’s continue as if nothing happened.”
Moira snorted.
Soren grinned. “Must say, Caelan, this is the most fun I’ve had in ages.”
I rolled my eyes. “I have some ideas.”
“Eat first, then discuss,” Caelan said, gesturing with his fork. “You missed the first course. Once the second is done, we’ll discuss the arrangements.”
Gianna leaned over and whispered something in Caelan’s ear. His jaw tightened as he turned, murmuring something lowin her ear. I picked up my fork and cut into the next course, a piece of prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, topped with crab meat and a lemon butter sauce.
It was delicious, so I stopped paying attention to Caelan and turned my focus to the plate before me. Once I finished, I set my fork down and looked up.
Caelan pushed the binder in the middle of the table toward me. “Gianna has some ideas.”
I opened the binder.
“Since we’re joining two royal houses, I’d like a court theme using red and white florals. I was thinking Phoenix lilies to begin.”
I stared at her for a few seconds and wondered if maybe I should turn this job down and pretend I’d never met the Shifter Lord. “Are you speaking of Alstroemeria?”
Gianna blinked. “The Phoenix lily. That’s the one I want.”
“There’s only one Phoenix lily that I’m aware of.”
“Then that must be it.” She made a disgusted face as if I were an idiot and she was the plant expert.
I kept my tone measured. “The Phoenix lily is pink. If you want to use a red lily, we have numerous options I can show you once I’m back at the shop.”
Color appeared high on her cheekbones. “Surely you must be mistaken.”
I wasn’t. “I’m happy to double check my records, but I’ve been involved in the florist industry my entire life.”
A tense silence settled over the table, so I made it a little worse. “As such, I’d like to make a suggestion. If there’s no compelling reason to use red and white, I think softer, creamier colors would put a more elegant spin on the day. Things like cream and navy or emerald and navy. Deep jewel tones and soft, creamier neutrals. I’m happy to show you some examples.”
Gianna’s mouth pinched. I opened my binder and pushed it over. “I took the liberty of putting some quick arrangements together. You’re more than welcome to keep this. I have another copy at home.”
Caelan pulled the binder over and flipped through the pages.
And so it went. A torturous hour of back-and-forth suggestions, with Gianna disagreeing with everything. Finally, I cried uncle.
