Mr.Gideon claps his hands together.“Well!You both survived.That’s good.Thought the doc might collapse halfway through.”
I shake my head, wiping sweat from my eyebrow.“Not a chance.”
Hazel snaps a quick photo of us with Mr.Gideon’s fully decorated house in the background and sends it to her sister.I wonder what Amelia will think.My phone dings almost immediately.
Amelia:Oh my God, THANK YOU.
Another message follows a second later.
Amelia:She asked me to help with that project, but I haven’t had the chance.Been swamped with work and taking care of Mom.I’ve been thinking about you, though.??
I type back.
Me:I’ve been thinking about you too.
Hazel groans, reading over my shoulder.“Gross.Can you guys not flirt while I’m standing right here?”
Mr.Gideon barks out a laugh.“Get used to it, kid.Men like him?They never quit.”
I shake my head, grinning despite myself.
As I’m dropping Hazel off at home, she steps out of the car, balancing the large bouquet in her arms.I start to get out to help her, but she waves me off with a look that tells me she doesn’t want me coming to the door.“Thanks for helping today.”
“Anytime.”I nod toward the flowers.“Make sure those get to where they’re supposed to go.”
She smiles.“Oh, I will.”
“If I’m free next time you go to the retirement center, I’ll tag along again.”
Hazel grins.“Alright.Just don’t let Mr.Gideon mess with you.”
“I think he’s already got my number.”I may have given it to him before I left.
She laughs, waves, and disappears inside.
Chapter 23
Amelia
Isinkintotheblack leather chair beside Violet as we both get our hair done after going thrift shopping together.The salon is busy with blow dryers humming, scissors snipping, and stylists chatting with clients as they work on their hair, and in my case, my entire mood.
This is our time to relax and catch up, free from work stress.At the office, we’re all business, but here?This is where the real gossip flows, and where secrets leak fast.And the bonus is that we always walk away with fresh material for an article and our own personal tea.
Violet flicks through a magazine, not really reading it, and turns to me.“Did you see the new person who came into town last night?”
I shake my head, knowing I was too busy being distracted by Adrian.“No.Who is it?”
She glances around before leaning close to me, whispering, “Well, she’s already gone, but the rumor mill says it was Adrian’s ex.Crazy stuff, though definitely not true.But you know how people talk.”
My stomach tightens just a little, not with jealousy, but with curiosity.We haven’t talked about exes, and honestly, what Adrian and I have is supposed to be private.No drama, no baggage, just something fun and easy.Something secret.But those flowers yesterday… the way he looked at me that night at his place…
I think about how the whole family reacted to the bouquet.Mom got teary-eyed, and Hazel just gave me this knowing look that made my cheeks burn.The card said it was for the whole family, but I knew better.
But I can’t help the way my mind reels.What if it really was his ex?What if she came back for him?I hate the thought of him having unfinished business with someone else, but I do hope it’s nothing because I’m starting to care more than I should.
Still, if I really want to know, I can just ask him.And I do.
I pull out my phone and send him a quick text.
