Clearly, I was watching too many floral design videos, because I was appreciating Juniper’s flowers-for-meaning habit. I really liked the single gladiolus stem she gave me for support when I finally told her about Shar rejecting my Lilybuds plan. I was actually sorry I couldn’t bring it in the tiny house.
“Lupin are for creativity and imagination.” She placed the jar on the edge of the bench and picked up the wire cutters. “Did you know ‘lupin’ means ‘wolfish’? There is a character in the Silverborn series whose first name is Lupin—which makes sense because he’s a werewolf. I’m totallyshipping him and the main character, even though she’s supposed to be with the vampire-hunter guy. Oh my God, I just heard Lexi Greer, the author of it, is doing a North American book tour when the next book comes out! I really hope there’s a Toronto stop. Mom would totally take me to the city for that. She loves that I’m obsessed with a Black fantasy writer. I would die for a signed copy.”
“Isn’t that the book Leanne was reading?” I asked.
The sliding door from Shar’s house opened then, and Gia floated out, a massive smile on her face and an iced coffee in her hand. “Sorry I’m late! I havenews. I met my future husband at Hyacinth’s! Like, seriously. I don’t normally believe in insta-love or anything, but this guy...” She fanned herself with her hand. “Tahira, you’re making my wedding dress; Juniper, you’re on flowers.”
I laughed. “Gia, you’re seventeen. You’re not getting married.”
She nodded, blue eyes dancing with joy. “Don’t worry, we’ll have a long engagement. Juniper, will your brother give us a deal on one of those adorable weddings you told me about that they do at the nursery? I saw some pictures inMartha Stewart Weddingsmagazine of a ceremony in a lavender field...but oh my God. The bride was literally wearing a toga. Tahira, you would have died.”
Juniper looked confused. “To be honest, Gia, I’m surprised you found someone worth swooning over in Bakewell.”
Good point. “So am I,” I said. “I haven’t seen evidence of a remotely dateable guy in our age group in this town. Leanne seemed to think there were, but the guys I’ve met are all...” I stopped talking. I really needed to stop insulting Juniper’s brother in front of her. Especially since he kept sneaking up on me.
“We’re all what?” Rowan asked, appearing with a huge bucket of flowers obscuring the design on his pale-green T-shirt.
I shook my head. “Remind me to get you a bell to wear so I can hear you coming.”
He snorted as he put the flowers near the bench. “You show them how to make a chicken wire frame yet, June?”
“Nah,” Juniper said. “I was waiting for you.” She turned to Gia and me. “Rowan trained Addie and Cameron last year.”
Gia suddenly squealed and clasped her hands together. “Cameron! My future betrothed!”
“Cameron?”Juniper asked incredulously. “Cameron Simons? That’s your future husband?”
Rowan frowned. “Why do you think you’re marrying Cameron Simons?”
I shook my head. “She’s not. Gia’s...” Gia was just being Gia. Which, granted, if you didn’t know her that well, could be a lot. “She just met the guy, right, Gia?”
I gave her a look that I hoped she understood asCan we just not with the drama right now so the hot guy wearing aLittle Shop of HorrorsT-shirt can teach us flower arranging?
Gia nodded, but very enthusiastically, and she went on, “He’s, like, thesweetestguy I’ve ever met. He bought me this coffee, and he had this adorable puppy named Ginger with him, and you know what he called me? Gigi! Like totally unprompted! I love it when guys call me Gigi. He’s going to call me tonight.”
“Ginger isn’t a puppy,” Rowan said. “She’s nine. Also,Cameron? Really?”
“What’s wrong with him?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I mean, technically, nothing. He works at the nursery. He’s not the brightest crayon in the box, and he’s not really a commitment kind of guy, but he’s—”
Gia’s phone chimed loudly. “Ooh,” she squealed, looking at it. “That’s him. I’m going to...I’ll be back.” Head in her phone, she went into the tiny house.
Juniper started cutting chicken wire again at the workbench. “Cameron and Leanne were dating last year during the Bloom. He’s on Addison’s team this year.”
I shook my head, amazed. “Is everyone connected to everyone around here?”
“Yup,” Rowan said. “Small town.”
“Well, if he’s such a dim bulb, why did Leanne date him?” I asked. “The two of you have interesting taste.”
Rowan chuckled. “Leanne’s not really the commitment type, either. She’s not great at turning down dates. Pretty much everyone’s her ex. Cameron—”
“Ouch!” Juniper squealed.
“What happened?” I asked. “Are you okay?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” June said, cradling her one hand in the other. “The wire snips got away from me.” She held up her fingers for us to see. There was a small cut on one.
