Jenna opened her mouth, then closed it when Juliet looked up at me.
“Asher was there,” Juliet said. Simple. Certain. “He stayed.”
Something shifted then. Not dramatic. Just… acknowledged.
Jackie’s eyes flicked to me. She studied me for half a second, then nodded once, like a decision had been made. “Good.” She turned on her heel and pointed across the shop. “Cookie.”
Cookie, who had been hovering near the front door, straightened. “Yeah?”
“We need coffee.” Then Jackie pointed at Blaze, who was already leaning back on his heels like he’d known this was coming. “And donuts. A lot of them. If we’re going to clean this place up, handle customers, and get through the orders today.”
Blaze grinned. “Say less.”
Cookie snapped a mock salute. “On it.”
When the door closed, Juliet clapped her hands once. Sharp. Focused. “Okay,” she said. “Let’s get to work.” She glanced at the boarded-up window, the glass still scattered where it hadn’t been swept yet. “Flowers aren’t going to take care of themselves,” she added. “And neither is that mess.”
By noon, the last arrangements for the ride were ready.
Juliet stood back, hands on her hips, surveying the rows of finished florals. Handlebar pieces. Basket wraps. Accent bundles.
Done.
Her eyes shone not with relief exactly, but with pride. “We did it,” she said quietly.
“You did it,” Jenna corrected. “Remember, your hot biker only wanted you touching them.” She laughed as she handed a customer his change. “Jackie and I have just been hanging onto our asses helping these last-minute men.”
The guy at the counter cleared his throat, shifting his weight, bouquet tucked under his arm like he wished it could disappear. “Hey,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “In my defense, Valentine’s Day sneaks up on a man.”
Jackie snorted. “It’s on the same day every year.”
He grimaced. “Yeah. My wife reminds me of that, too.”
Juliet laughed, soft and warm. “You’re fine,” she told him. “You still made it.”
“Barely,” he muttered, already backing toward the door. “Appreciate you squeezing me in.”
“No shame,” Juliet said, waving him off. “You’re not alone.”
He gave her a grateful nod and slipped out, the bell chiming behind him.
Juliet shook her head, smiling. “You shouldn’t make them feel bad, Jenna.”
Jackie pointed at her with a stem cutter. “Careful. Those are the guys paying your paycheck.”
I moved in behind her then, sliding my arms around her waist, pulling her back against my chest. She came easily, like it was instinct. I pressed a kiss to the side of her head, slow and sure.
Mine.
She leaned into me and let out a quiet sigh, her hands settling over mine. “You’re going to spoil me.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Jenna called. “We still have to load all of this into the van, and I expect at least forty more dudes that can’t seem to look at a calendar.”
Juliet sighed, but she couldn’t hide her smile. “I know I say this week drives me crazy, but I have to say this one has been pretty damn good.”
“That’s what triple pay does to you,” Jackie smirked. “Puts a little pep in your step.”
“Speaking of,” I said. “I never gave you this.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a thick white envelope. “Payment for putting up with the club and me. And the flowers.”
