Zinnia had high standards for how she wanted someone to treat her (she dreamed of the fairytale romance where someone would sweep her off her feet and they’d fall in love at first sight), and while Olixander hadn’t checked the latter box, he at least checked the chivalrous and kind boxes. That was enough for now – it wasn’t like Zinnia expected anything to come from this, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t hope. How fun would this story be to tell her future children – their father saved her from drowning in mud.

She turned toward him as he questioned her friend status, and although her eyebrows furrowed together at the question, she found herself answering earnestly. “I assume in class, because they’re on time.” Zinnia lifted her gaze to meet his. “I was… distracted. In the greenhouse.” The word carried a dreamy kind of weight, like she’d been somewhere else entirely, but then again the greenhouse was one of her favorite places; she was a Potts after all. “I was just talking to the flowers because they like when you do that, and I suppose I just lost track of time.” Her gaze dropped to the mud-splattered hem of her dress. “Well. You know the rest.”

She looked back up at him then. “Besides, now you can brag to all your friends that you saved me, and make yourself sound terribly heroic.” Zinnia guided them toward the tower. “Or will that ruin your reputation?”

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