"Oh, do you not know?" Noah asked, glancing briefly at those seated around the table. "She has a terrible allergy. I found her in distress the first day I met her—"
The energy at the table shifted palpably. Heat began to climb up Ariel's neck as she felt herself losing control of the conversation.
"An allergy to magnolias, huh?" the priestess prodded, sending a small, knowing smile to Ariel, who could feel the heat rush up to her cheeks.
That Taylor! She thinks I made that up to avoid getting magnolias from Noah... why did I have to pick magnolias?!
"In distress?" Ariel's stomach clenched at the sound of Jasper's voice. Though every part of her didn't want to look at him, she found herself doing just that.
"Yes," Noah answered, clearly bothered that no one seemed aware of her dangerous allergy. "Her eyes were watering so badly."
The next breath Ariel took hitched somewhere in her throat as Jasper turned his gaze on her, practically pinning her with his eyes.
"But," Ariel gasped out, desperate to shut the conversation down, "I'm fine now. It's not that bad, really..."
Noah opened his mouth to argue, but Ariel had had all she could take. In a last-ditch effort to persuade him, she placed a reassuring hand on his arm. A flash of red filled the young man's face, but it seemed to do the trick. Satisfied, Noah nodded and then looked up at Jasper.
"You said you wanted to talk with me?"
Ariel's hand went limp, quickly removed from Noah's arm as she turned in her seat to face her boss once more. Jasper met Noah's gaze, then darted his eyes to Ariel briefly.
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What is his problem? There is no reason for him to have to speak with Noah alone!
Despite her recent embarrassment, Ariel found she could summon up some anger and shot Jasper a discouraging glare. Outwardly, he didn't seem to acknowledge the look, but after a moment, he answered.
"Perhaps later. The festival is starting. I'm sure you have work to do."
"I do. Thank you. I'll see you all soon," Noah replied. With a final wave to everyone and a kind smile at Ariel, the young man quickly departed.
There was a painful silence at the table before Mr. Warner broke it with his usual tact.
"An allergy to magnolias? My dear, this is serious! Why, we were just talking about that today!"
An involuntary memory of their conversation with Shiloh played before Ariel's mind's eye—images of Mr. Warner holding the bouquet of deadly magnolias, tossing them out...
"He's right. It is serious. Perhaps you should stay in? We wouldn't want to risk your health," Mandy added, turning her attention on her rival, feigning concern.
Ariel met Mandy's innocent gaze, her eyes glinting with defiance.
Not a chance.
"I'm fine. I've seemed to have adjusted to being around them," she answered as evenly as she could.
"Perhaps she should stay in," Jasper remarked, speaking as though Ariel hadn't answered.
Ariel's gaze quickly swung over to Jasper. Appearing utterly impassive, he took a deep sip of coffee. Ariel gripped her own cup, with half a mind to toss its lukewarm contents on her boss. Mr. Warner was nodding heartily and opened his mouth to agree when Ariel cut him off.
"I'm not staying in."
Even as the words left her mouth, Ariel found them strange. Wasn't it just hours ago that she would have given anything not to participate in this festival? Her eyes fell on Mandy and her annoying proximity to Jasper.
Things change.
"Mr. Warner, isn't it time we should be heading out?" Leroy prompted, redirecting their attention to a more important matter.
The playwright glanced down at his watch.
"Oh. You're very right. Let's get the show on the road—can't miss a thing!"
Suddenly, the table was busy with activity as everyone gathered their things. Ariel sunk back into her seat.
Finally.
Leroy stood up and looked down at Ariel, offering her a hand, which she took gratefully.
"Thank you," she whispered as he led her from the table.
The monk flashed her a smile.
"Anytime."