The Reaper's Harem: My Monster Mates
Claire M
Every vine in the office gets there first.
They pour out from the walls and bookshelves in a cheerful, chaotic rush, wrapping around my extended hand, my arm, winding up to my shoulder.
Hilbert freezes, visibly embarrassed in that precise, contained way of his, and I lose it completely.
"Professor," I manage, "your vines just asked me to dance."
"They're enthusiastic," he says, with great dignity, extracting me from the greenery. "I apologize."
"Don't." I'm still laughing, detaching a particularly committed tendril from my wrist. "It's the best invitation I've received all year."