But the reality is that nothing is going on between Declan and me. We’re only having fun, and nothing will come of it.
“Nothing is happening,” I half-lie and pull out my purse to grab my lip balm, only to notice the paper airplane from yesterday, and I can’t control the smile that tugs on my mouth.
Brielle, who is now rubbing circles on her belly, doesn’t seem to believe me; I can tell by her stoic facial expression. “Look, say what you want, but if anything, whether serious, fun, or who knows what is brewing between you and Declan, then just know that Ford will lose his cool. He’s seen every shitty choice his former teammates have made, and as much as Declan is a friend, it only means that Ford is even more critical of him when it comes to women. No, not even, when it comes toyou.”
“Like I said, nothing to worry about. Does Ford think something is going on?”
Brielle scoffs a laugh. “Please, it was the weekend, and we have a sixteen-year-old. His mind was occupied with that, so you’re fine.”
“You know, even if I was, you know, well, I’m allowed to have a little… fun,” I justify.
“Of course you are, but not with your brother’s friend. When it goes wrong, then itreallygoes wrong. Plus…” She reaches out to touch my hand on the counter. “You deserve a hell of a love story, not some guy who will make you laugh but never commit. Violet, you can keep telling me that life is great, but I know that’s not true. Something is missing for you. Your mom never played a big role in your life, but you made peace with that long ago, probably because you have family here who adore you and need you. But I know you want toexperienceromance and family for yourself. You used to tell me about the husband and kids you want one day. After…”
I close my eyes because I don’t want to hear her reminder of a disaster from not long ago. It’s hard to accept that I have an absent mom and I bury myself into my brother’s family. I’m watching everything that I want on a daily basis.
She licks her lips and takes a beat. “Since the…, you throw on a smile, but I think you believe you don’t deserve more.” Thankfully, she doesn’t repeat the memory that I don’t need today. Instead, she squeezes my hand for comfort. “One day you will realize, and I’m not sure Declan is the guy who would hold your hand and walk you into that happy ever after you’ve dreamed about.”
Abruptly, I pull my hand away. “Geez, Brielle, you didn’t even bring me a coffee from Jolly Joe’s for this deep conversation.” I roll my eyes.
“Want to send the pregnant lady out in the rain to go grab your coffee and a cinnamon roll so you’ll listen?” She grins.
I cross my arms and pretend to be annoyed. “I mean, let’s not get dramatic. You’re probably on your way there anyhow.”
“I am. Why don’t you join me. Don’t you have a lunch break soon?”
I smile awkwardly. “I do, but I have an appointment at one. Tilly is coming in to help this afternoon and will handle this place for an hour or so.”
Brielle narrows her eyes in on me. “Appointment?”
“Yes. I need to deliver some flowers to the Dizzy Duck.”
She scans the room. “Strange. I don’t see any flowers ready for delivery.”
“I still need to make the bouquet,” I lie.
Brielle looks at her watch. “It’s already 12:40.”
For fuck’s sake.
I throw on a fake smile and walk to the middle of my store and pull out a few flowers. “Making it now.”
“Sure you are,” she says, playing along.
With a sharp movement, I pull out a lily from one of the buckets on the floor. “I’d better get moving on this.”
“You do that then, and just remember, fun is fun until either someone catches feelings or Ford discovers that your constant smile today is due to Declan.”
“It’s all fine because nothing is going on,” I call out in an attempt to deter her thoughts once more, knowing it’s pointless, but I felt a need to try.
* * *
I slamthe bouquet of flowers that don’t even match into Declan’s hard chest the moment he opens the hotel room door.
“Don’t get excited, I was trapped and had to make a bouquet to survive, and I’m not wasting flowers,” I explain, and my eyes instantly land on the trays of food sitting on the table by the window in his suite.
Even though I beeline it to the food, I sure as hell notice that the man looks good in jeans and a t-shirt, and his jaw is more defined since he doesn’t seem to have shaved today.
“Trust me, my entire body is riveted with excitement for these flowers,” he says sarcastically as he closes the door. He sets the flowers on the desk and walks to the table. “You’re late.” He grins.
