“Do you need a hand with the rest of the flowers?” Jackie asked from the back door.
Shaking her doom and gloom away, Paris forced a smile. “I can manage. I’ll bring them in now.”
Grabbing the boxes, she took them straight to the refrigerator. “Have you made the Donaldson’s flower arrangement?”
Jackie checked the list of orders. “Not yet. You’ll need four of the lilies you bought at the market.”
While Paris organized the flowers, Jackie took some roses out of another box and placed them on a sheet of sparkly paper. “I saw Richard and Jack yesterday.”
“You did?”
“I promised Shelley I’d take some cookies into the church after John’s service. Richard and Jack were playing basketball with some other dads and their children.”
Paris smiled. “I bet Jack enjoyed that. He loves playing basketball.”
“Richard asked how you were doing.”
“He did?”
“Yep. And if the glow on your face is anything to go by, you’re equally interested in him.”
“I’m not interested in that way. He’s my friend.” She picked up the clipboard, hoping Jackie got the hint and talked about something else.
“Remember what I said the other day. Step out of your comfort zone and make opportunities happen.”
If Richard knew Jackie saw him as an opportunity, he’d be mortified. “I’ve pushed my comfort zone enough with The Flower Cottage.”
Jackie studied Paris’ flushed face. “I’ve known you for as long as you’ve lived in Sapphire Bay. What’s the one thing you’ve always said you want?”
“To be happy.”
“And?”
“To make other people happy.”
“And?”
Paris rolled her eyes. “You sound like a broken record.”
“Maybe that’s because you keep playing the same song, but you never get to the chorus. What do you really want?”
Admitting she needed anything other than being happy was hard. She’d spent most of her life hiding from the real Paris Haynes. She wore over-the-top clothes and tried to be the person everyone expected her to be. What she really wanted and who she was didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she didn’t end up like her mom.
“I’m waiting.”
“I’m opening my flower shop in a few days. That’s what I really want.”
“What about outside of work? What kind of life do you want?”
Paris looked at the flowers on the workroom table. “You’ll think it’s silly.”
“Nothing is ever silly.”
With a glance at her friend, Paris picked up another flower. “I want to marry an incredible man, have three children, a dog, and a white picket fence.”
Jackie sighed. “That sounds like bliss to me. Do you think Richard could fit into your plans?”
“He’s happy with his life as it is.”
