Or my neighbor just got more creative with his pranks. Ithoughtthe home front was a little too quiet after that ad Itook out on his pickup. Sure, he’d scolded me, but Damon was never one to let sleeping dogs lie.
“I don’t understand,” Iola said, sounding disappointed. “I was so looking forward to helping you find love. I helped my grandson Clark find the love of his life, you know? I’m good at this, if you give me a chance.”
Uh-oh. The grandma guilt trip was in motion, and I was a sucker for those.
“I’m sorry, Iola. This was just someone’s idea of a joke. Obviously, it isn’t funny.”
“Well, we could work up a new profile, sweetie. I know you’re single. Everyone talks about the pretty florist with the lonely eyes.”
Lonely eyes?My eyes weren’t lonely! I opened my mouth to protest, but hesitated when Jamie tapped my arm.
“Maybe it’s not such a bad idea, Mav.”
“Iola, can I call you back?”
“Sure, sweetie. Take your time. But not too long. The good men are flying off the shelves!” She laughed at her own joke, disconnecting mid-cackle.
I lowered the phone to the table. “Fucking Damon. He has no boundaries. This is really not cool.”
Jamie gave me a flat look. “And payingInside Granvillefor an ad on his truck was so much better?”
I cringed. “He’s relentless. I’m just fighting for survival here.”
“The cycle will never end if you two keep battering at each other. There’s a better way to beat Damon at his own game, you know.”
“What would that be?”
“Let Iola set you up.” I shook my head, but Jamie persisted. “Meet a nice guy, one who isn’t a straight assholewho lives to rile you up. Fall in love. Then flip Damon the bird while Silas plans your epic wedding.”
I smirked. “That easy, huh?”
“It could be,” Jamie said. “I know Silas has given up, but there’s plenty of happy couples in this town. The wedding coming up is proof enough of that, isn’t it? If those two can find love and keep it going…”
“Oh, you heard about that, huh? Silas is keeping their identities a secret because they don’t want the whole town harassing them all the way to the altar.”
“A legitimate concern,” Jamie said with a smirk. “Don’t worry. Marissa swore me to secrecy, but I knew you’d be doing their flowers.”
“They had to reschedule, but I’ve got a great idea for the silver and blue colors they’re leaning toward. If I ordered some?—”
“Ah-ah! Don’t change the subject.” He pushed a tart toward me. “We’re talking aboutyourlove life.”
I pressed my fork through the flaky crust. “I don’t know, Jamie. Blind dates? It could be a nightmare.”
“Think of Damon’s face when he sees his prank backfired.”
I grinned. “That would be sweet, wouldn’t it?”
“As sweet as my dessert. Now, tell me what you think of the raspberry tart. I need to get back soon.”
I took a bite and moaned. “Tens across the board.”
“The rating only goes up to five.”
“I know!” I gobbled the rest of the tart, then obliged him by eating a delicate macaron with a bright lemon flavor. “This is delicious too. The tart will always be my true love, though.”
He pushed a biscotti toward me, chocolate coated on one end. I bit into it, surprised by the hints of cinnamon. “Biscottiisn’t my usual thing, you know? But this is really good! You made these, right?”
“Yeah. Baking is more my specialty.”
