He cups the velvet bloom like it’s precious. “I loved watching you care for the flowers.” He gently brushes the leaves aside, placing his finger on the stem.
“You still remember all of it?” I ask, emotion clogging my throat.
“I’m sure I’ve forgotten some things.” He meets my gaze. “But I kept the important ones where they belong.”
The air grows thick with tension. My bangs cling to my forehead from the warm, humid greenhouse air. I brush them away, using the gesture as an excuse to break eye contact.
“I have bouquets to finish, but I’ll need extras just in case,” I call to Garrison, who is still working with his fern. I take the rose from Elijah, swallowing hard when our fingers brush. Holding it up so Garrison can see what I want, I say, “Maybe two dozen of these, just to safe. I haven’t had time to inspect all the centerpieces yet.”
Garrison pivots with his sheers in his hand. “I’ll get them wrapped right away.”
I let out a breath.
Not an easy one. It’s more like checking a single box on a long to-do list before I can breathe for real.
We step aside as Garrison gathers my roses. Elijah and I walk back down the too-narrow-for-my-comfort aisle. His shoulder brushes against mine, and random thought pops into my head.
What if it hadn't rained that day?
Not that it matters now.
Still, it seems like an odd thing to bring up.
We make it back to the shop in record time. I yank open the van doors, ignoring their protesting wail. Not taking any chances with these roses, I carry them inside like they are an endangered species. With laser focus, I stride to my workstation, already set up with ribbons and floral tape.
Eljah, who clearly doesn’t need to be here anymore but hasn’t taken the hint, narrowly misses having the front door slammedon his face and pushes right in. “You still arrange flowers like you’re performing brain surgery.”
That almost earns him a smile, but I keep my focus on the flowers as I unwrap them. “That might be because Kaci’s brain might actually explode if these flowers aren’t perfect. And let’s just say, I have to spend Christmas with her every year for the next fifty years. I don’t need to be the cause of the family drama people are still whispering about a decade from now.”
He's quiet as he approaches the counter, watching me trim stems. It’s something he’s seen me do at least a thousand times. “You know what I missed the most?”
“Please don’t say kissing.” The second the words leave my mouth, I slam it shut and stare wide-eyed. “I mean, something else. Ha, ha.” I fake laugh and cinch my shoulders together.
I cannot believe I said that out loud.This is getting weird.He needs to leave already!There is no reason for him to loiter while I spiral over the flowers.
His smirk says he’s enjoying my spiral. “I miss you in your creative mode. A little sassy. A little terrifying.” He dares to sidestep closer. “It’s totally hot.”
I sigh with more exasperation than irritation. “Huh. You missed that while you were dating all those models you posted on Instagram?”
“So you were checking up on me?” His smile widens. “Again, those were distractions. Not one of them meant anything. Half of those women I didn’t even know. They posed for a photo. I honestly couldn’t tell you any of their names.” He puts his palms on the counter, invading even more of my space by sliding his hand near mine. “But I never forgot yours or everything we promised each other.”
I’m surprised how unmoved I am by this speech, considering I used to dream of him crawling back. My heart’s slamming in my chest, but that’s more from the task at hand than his confession.I cut my gaze sharply at him, shears pointing a little too perfectly at his head. “In case you forgot, it’s my sister’s wedding day. I have an hour to finish this, find my dress, and get ready. This is not the time.”
“I wasted too much time already.” His voice cracks, and I hate that it sounds so hot. “I can’t stand seeing you and not being able to call you mine. We have to talk about this.”
What are those alarm buttons people have in office buildings called?
Panic buttons.
Yeah, I could use one right now.
Or better yet, a trap door.
Or both.
A panic button that opens a trap door for him to fall into.
Something, anything to make him disappear.
