“Right,” he said, unsure of what that was all about. The concern in her eyes piqued his curiosity, not for the first time. This Ani, so full of secrets. He thought again about what type of person would unhappily plan the wedding of their ex—besides him, who had very legitimate reasons. And anyway, as Kami had said, their relationship “barely counted.” Ani’s and Kami’s? Even by Kami’s lax standards, he had a feeling theirs probably counted.
Raffi had trouble finding the checkout counter, then realized it was a small shabby podium with an older man standing in front of it, glasses down to the tip of his nose, scowling at some paperwork.
“We’d like to buy all of those types of flowers.” Raffi pointed toward the plants Ani was still standing by. “All that you have. Clean you out.” Raffi flashed his winning smile.
The man raised his eyes painfully slowly and looked up at Raffi.
“Clean me out, eh? ‘Those types’?”
His tone did not sound friendly in the least. In fact, Raffi would go so far as to call it unfriendly. Warning alarms blared in Raffi’s head, but he wasn’t sure what he had done to offend exactly.
“Do you know how rare that plant is? How finicky it can be to take care of?”
Raffi did not.
“Yes, sir. I’ve been warned about its prickly nature.”
The man looked Raffi up and down. “You’re lying.”
Raffi wasn’t sure how to respond. His heart rate jumped because the manwascorrect. Did Raffi stick to his lie, or did he confess? And how the hell had he gotten into this high-pressure situation where he had to convince the clerk that he was worthy of his wares?
Then he felt Ani’s thick, wavy hair brush his arm, and she surfaced from behind him to face the spiteful seller.
She spoke with a soft smile. “Mr. Burdock, we’d be honored if you could sell us as many Moonlit Cascades as you can spare. I’m well versed in their maintenance and know about the seasonal watering changes, eggshell fertilizer that helps them bloom to their full potential, and their overwhelming sunlight needs. And I’ll be overseeing their care. They would be the crowning jewel of our garden, if you’ll allow us.”
Raffi’s brain was caught between Ani’s deft words and her mesmerizing lips. And how, exactly, she was softening the curmudgeon before them. The man’s eyes relaxed as Ani spoke, and although he didn’t smile, his frown had disappeared.
“All right then, miss, if you’ll be overseeing them. Take what you need.”
“Thank you,” she said, beaming. “We might need to take all you have today, if that’s okay?”
The man paused, and Raffi held his breath.
“It’s okay,” the clerk proclaimed.
Was it just that she was a gorgeous woman, charming this guy? He didn’t think so. If it was up to Raffi, they’d be leaving empty-handed, possibly after an unpleasant exchange of words.
Raffi simply stared in Ani’s wake as she strolled back toward the plants. Then she turned around and caught Raffi’s eyes, the slightest hint of pride in them.
“You coming?”
He didn’t move, taking in the way the light played in her hair, the curve of her smile, the whole shape of her.
The seller spoke up. “Better get going, bucko. Lady’s request.”
That shook him. Raffi nodded his head in the man’s direction and hurried to help Ani with the plants.
Together, they loaded plant after plant into the van, until every last bit of space was taken up, to the point where leaves were tickling their elbows when they sat up in front.
Now fully out of earshot of the picky purveyor of plants, Raffi shut the door and asked, “So how the hell did you do that? And what was his deal anyway?”
“Do what?” she asked innocently.
Raffi gestured toward the shop. “You were amazing in there. You came in like some deity who smoothed over the whole situation and told the guy exactly what he wanted to hear. How’d you even know all that?”
Ani blushed, which sent blood rushing through Raffi’sbody. He wanted to see that blush again, traveling lower, painting more of her skin—if he could allow himself to dream. Which he wouldn’t.
Raffi started the van and kept his eyes straight ahead.
