Mae: That’s presumptive
Cooper: Is it?
Mae: Goodnight Cooper
Cooper: Goodnight, stubborn, I’ll see you tomorrow
Mae: Maybe
Cooper: See you at six
Mae: …okay
I toss my phone onto the side table and get comfortable. It was not on my intention to tell Mae that I’d do … well, any of those things. So much for keeping a lid on my feelings, but they are real. It’s not like I’m going to propose tomorrow or next week — maybe next month.
The point is, I can see a future with Mae.
I think we live in a world where men aren’t willing to commit, and women are scared, or it’s the other way around. I’m not afraid of commitment. Younger Cooper, prior to Naomi, might have been. But not anymore. When I see something I want, I go after it. When I decide I want to love someone with everything I am. I do it — that simple.
Naomi is the perfect example. I will fight the world for her. I will go to war for my family. And Mae might belong in that group.
Chapter 24
Mae
“Hi,mynameisMae. I’m with Paxton Flower Shop, and I was hoping to discuss a partnership with you, uh, your event venue.”
“Who?” the lady on the other end asks.
“Um, Paxton Flower Shop.”
“You’re the shop in town. I didn’t know you did weddings,” she says.
I realized I forgot to ask what her name was, and I couldn’t find who does what at this venue, so I’m flying blind.
“Yeah, uh, yes we would love to work with you since we’re also local. Is that something you would be interested in?” I ask her.
“We would definitely be open to discussing it. Do you have pricing and a lookbook you could send over?” she asks.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
“We have a price sheet I’m happy to email over. We don’t have a lookbook for weddings. But it’s coming soon,” I say quickly.Why did I say that? I have no idea how to do that.
“Fair enough, I feel like the wedding industry is constantly changing. It almost makes me not want to bother with lookbooks because the trends flip so fast!”
“I totally agree,” I tell her. Fake it till you make it, I guess.
“And what was your name again?” she asks.
“Mae.”
“Great, Mae, it was awesome talking to you. Email me that price list. I realize you’re working on your lookbook, but do you have some pictures you could send me?” she asks.
“Uh, sure. I was working on a few new arrangements. I’ll send you those as soon as they’re done. Does that work?”
“Sure thing, can’t wait to see them! And if we end up working together, do you receive clients at your storefront?”
“Absolutely, we would prefer it. I think it provides a better experience, and it’s the best way to get all the details down.”
