And all I can think is, if he loses her, it will tear him apart.
Chapter 43
Mae
IknewIshouldn’thave stayed the night at Cooper’s. I knew he’d make me late. Then again, he made both of us late, so I blame him. Thankfully Naomi didn’t wake up on time either, otherwise that would have been a very difficult conversation.
We need to start locking the bedroom door.
The shop is a mess, and I have one of my clients coming in to sign off on her flower selections and give me her down payment. I’m nervous because I’m not sure I’ll get these exotic flowers in time, and they don’t keep long. If I’ve learned anything in the wedding floral game, it’s that timing is everything.Hysteriaby Def Leppard plays loudly, and I’m trying to focus on the beat and not my slow devolvement into insecure panic.
I have a wedding next week that was super last minute because Silver Hill Ranch had a cancellation, fit someone in and then thrust them into my arms.Everything is absolutely fine.
The upside to all of this is that I’m going to be in the black this year. Paxton Flower Shop will make a small profit, and it hasn’t even been a year.
I should pat myself on the back because I’ve worked hard, but I need to complete the jobs first. I’m more than nervous to fulfill these contracts. I don’t want to mess it up, or ruin someone’s big day.
Come on, stubborn, you’ve got this. There’s no doubt in my mind.
My heart swells replaying the words he whispered in my ear this morning. His unfettered confidence in me gives me the encouragement I need to at leastactlike I know what I’m doing. But with him, I think it is possible to do everything because I have him standing beside me, ready to jump in.
It’s an odd feeling to see how everything you’ve hoped and prayed for is happening right in front of you, and it’s easy to lose sight of. But I refuse to let myself. There was a day I thought I’d end up alone. Loved. But alone when it’s all said and done. My heart shatters for the girl I once was. My fairytale was more like a nightmare for the most part, but then Cooper came along.
I’ve always hated the, ‘when you’re not looking for him he’ll show up’. That’s bull crap. But as much as I hate to admit it; it was the right time for me. Later than others, but a part of my journey, nonetheless. One day I’ll probably look back and say I wouldn’t change anything. I don’t think I could say it today, but it doesn’t matter now, does it? He found me, or maybe I found him.
My phone rings and I groan, searching for it in the mountain of papers I have everywhere. I understand why my aunt is so messy. It’s hard for one person to keep this place running.
I finally find my phone and it’s my aunt.
“Hey Auntie.”
“Hello, darling, so I heard you and Cooper Hayes are together.”
I chuckle and look out the window. “I figured you’d find out eventually.”
“He’s a good boy. Your uncle approves.”
“Thank you,” I rasp.
She hums. “I wanted to give you a heads up before we got there, but your uncle and I are coming home.”
“What?”
“Did you not hear me?” she asks, louder this time. “We’re coming home. We’ve enjoyed time here, but it’s not our home. Paxton is.”
“Are you taking the flower shop back?” I ask her.
At this point, I’m not sure I want to give it back. I’m learning to love this, even though I’m afraid of messing up constantly, but I want totry.
“Goodness no. I’ll help you, but I’m done.”
“So you don’t like it there?” I ask her.
“Hold on,” she says.
I frown.
“Hello?”
