I giggle and drink some more wine. “This is good,” I mumble inhaling it.
“One of my favorites. I also noticed you are very good at avoiding questions,” June says.
I look up from my glass, and she has a knowing look on her face.
“First of all, there are nodetailsto give you because I hardly know Cooper. It’s not like anything happened. We just … flirted,” I tell her.
June pulls out one of the barstools at the island and doesn’t respond, clearly waiting for me to continue.
I’m not good at this. Rather, I don’t really like talking to others about my emotions. It’s caused issues in the past, and I’ve learned some tough lessons because of it.
“I know we aren’t best friends, yet, but you can trust me,” June says gently.
“You see right through people, don’t you?”
She shrugs and takes a swig of wine. “It’s a gift.”
“I uh … I’m not very good at talking about myself. I don’t really know what you want me to say.”
“Okay, so why don’t you start with how you’re doing out here in Paxton all by yourself?” she asks.
I check the soup one more time. It needs maybe another ten minutes to cook down.
“Honestly, I needed the break. But it’s kind of lonely out here.”
June fidgets with her fingers. “You would think being surrounded by family all the time and the ranch hands and animals, I’d never feel lonely. But I do. I get it.”
I nod, focusing on the glass stem. “I know Francesca asked you to take over the shop, but you don’t seem like a small-town girl. Why did you agree to it?”
“Go straight for the throat, why don’t ya?” I mumble.
June’s silence and open gaze are my answer.
I puff out a breath and start from the beginning because as much as it surprises me, I like June, and I do feel like I can trust her. What we say here won’t go anywhere else.
“I guess the best way to put it is, I needed a change, even though I was kind of forced into it. My mom is sick, so I help her and my dad a lot. I’m an accountant, so I’m able to work from home. But Auntie called me one day and said she needed help with her books. My boss doesn’t care where I am in the country as long as I turn things in on time. So I told her I could come and get things figuredout for her, then well, you know that part, she said she’s retiring and wanted me to take over. So here I am.”
“Do you even like flowers?” June asks.
I smile and look at a bouquet I brought home. Someone should enjoy them. “I actually love them. When I was a kid, my mom and dad would bring us here, and my aunt would let me build my own bouquet. She would teach me about each flower and its meaning or use. I had a blast.”
“But you went into accounting?” June asks.
I take another drink, flipping the burner off. “I also love numbers. I know, it’s a weird combination, but it’s true. My mom always thought it was a little strange how someone could be so analytical and yet so creative. I suppose both sides of my brain have their own place in my life, and this time I have to use both.”
“Is the business doing well?” she asks.
I pause as unease slithers through me.
“Look, you don’t have to tell me your income for the year. Hopefully, you’re doing well.”
I shrug and look out the window at the fading sun. “It could be better… like, alotbetter. I need new streams of income, to be honest.”
June grimaces. “That’s tough.”
“My aunt said I have to do it for a year, then I can decide what I want to do with the shop.”
June gathers her hair and starts braiding it. “No pressure,” she mumbles.
