He exhaled sharply, dragging a clammy hand through his hair. “That was—that was years ago. I’m not that person anymore.”
Ani let out a short humorless laugh. “So? Does that change the fact that you pursued her, slept with her, and never called her again?”
Raffi flinched. A sharp, clean, deserved slap. The way Ani was looking at him, like she’d confirmed every reason not to trust him, cut deeper than he would have expected.
He couldn’t blame her, though. He hadn’t even forgiven himself.
“I was an asshole,” he admitted, voice lower now. “I—yeah. I did that.”
He finally met her gaze. He continued, “What you heard, that was true at one time. But I haven’t been that person for a while now. And yeah, I haven’t been in a relationship lately. That part’s…more complicated. But I’m not out there chasing hookups constantly. Not even close.”
Ani shook her head. “Honestly, Raffi. If I didn’t know a thing about you, maybe I’d go for those fries.Maybe. But I know people you’ve hurt.”
Raffi blinked. The knowledge hit him low in the gut, heavy and bewildering. She might…like him? At least a little? But understandably, wouldnotgo there. Still, even though it was a rejection, her admission gave him the first flare of hope since this conversation started.
He nodded. “Fair. Fair.” Then he rubbed the back of his neck, eyes on the ground. “I sent Lala an apology text about a year ago, by the way—not that it makes up for what I did.”
Ani didn’t speak.
“But I thought you might want to know how badly I felt about how I treated her. Still do.”
Silence settled between Raffi and Ani, taut like the moment before a string snaps. Raffi didn’t dare move. Ani stood still, too, her expression unreadable, eyes fixed somewhere just past him.
He swallowed, the sound too loud in their quiet. Then Ani spoke at last, her tone taking on a polite register. “Well. Theerrand at the nurserywouldbe a lot easier if I had a van. Are you still up for it?”
He exhaled.Yes, yes, whatever you want, Ani, he thought. The sentiment came out much stronger, even in his head, than he’d expected.
“At your service. Direct me?”
She moved toward the passenger-side door. “Anshousht,” she said.Naturally.
7
Raffi
Ani was right;this nursery was something else. Like a secret garden tucked into a forgotten enclave of Napa. He hadn’t ever realized it was there, but once they entered, it expanded into a larger backyard, bursting with greenery.
He and Ani ambled through the various aisles. Beside him, Ani sized up the varieties, trailed her fingers over their fronds, even cupped a blue flower blossom between her fingers so it fit into her palm.
Then she stopped in front of a brilliantly green leafed plant, almost like a bush, with medium-sized delicate silvery-white flowers.
“This is a rare one. Moonlit Cascade. It blooms twice a year, right now and in early fall—just in time for the wedding. What do you think?”
Raffi took in the white blooms and joyful green leaves. “We’ll get that green and white.”
“Yes.” Ani smiled. “Can’t find a better bridal combination.”
Hearing his words spoken back to him, her voice kindinstead of mocking, gave him a twinge of hope that their professional relationship wouldn’t be doomed, even after the conversation they’d just had. He gave her a friendly smile.
Then, wanting to be helpful because Ani had basically done everything today, he said, “I’ll check out.”
“Okay, great. And, um, Kami is going to pay you back?”
Ani’s posture had changed with her question. Stiff, like she was suddenly filled with anxiety.
He shrugged. “She said to send her and Grace the receipts or to let them know if we needed them to call in their credit card information.”
Ani seemed relieved. “Good, you know, that they gave you options.”
