one
Esme
“Shoot.” I curse, placingmy thorn-pricked finger into my mouth to suck off the blood.
Normally, I’m not this distracted while making flower arrangements, but after selling a dozen beautiful long-stem red roses earlier today to the sexy lumberjack I’ve been craving, only for him to give them to one of my best friends on their date, I'm more than distracted.
When I first saw Dawson at the bar the day before Valentine’s Day—or, as my friends and I like to call it, Galentine’s Day—while we were all celebrating being single, my breath caught in my throat at the instant attraction I felt for him. But I didn’t let it go any farther than that—I can’t—I have a business to run. I can’t be distracted by a handsome face and a gorgeous body, but he’s been starring in all my bedtime fantasies.
Tonight and every night from now on, I’ll have to fantasize about someone else because all I can picture is Dawson and Lainey, touching and kissing—getting married and having children.
I can’t believe Lainey and Dawson were matched through Aspen’s mail-order-bride dating service. Not that I’d ever sign up for a dating service—I don’t have time for that. But seeing my best friend and the guy I’ve been craving get set up together proves the universe is a salty bitch.
I wonder if Dawson and Lainey’s children will refer to me as Aunt Esme. Will they come over to my house to visit the ten cats and me, which I’ll have accumulated by then? I’m so lost in thought that I don’t hear the soft jingle of the bells above the front door of my flower shop to notice I have a customer.
“Hey, Esme.” I look up at the handsome face of Dawson’s brother, Dean. “I need a dozen roses for Lainey, but I want them all different colors, not just red.”
You’ve got to be effing kidding me. Not only does Lainey have Dawson buying her flowers, but now Dean is also buying her flowers, unless Dean doesn’t realize Dawson already bought Lainey flowers.
“Dawson already stopped by earlier and bought Lainey flowers.” I set the thorn stripper down on the counter and focus on my customer.
“About that.” Dean nervously rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not my place to say, but there was a slight misunderstanding. I’m the only guy Lainey will be going out on a date with or anything else.”
Lainey has two guys fighting over her. I should be happy for her, but a small part of me still believes that Dawson is mine, not hers. I push that thought down as far as I can. I don’t have time for love in my life—sex, definitely, but not love.
At twenty-eight, I’m a few years older than my friends in Temptation Ridge. The fact that I’m still a virgin while they are all finding boyfriends and having sex is a little depressing. Maybe I should look into one of those friends-with-benefits situations.
“Sure.” I fake a smile. “I’ll get the flower arrangement ready for you.” I hurry to the flower cooler and pick the prettiest roses I can find—Lainey is still my friend—she deserves the best.When I finish gathering and arranging the roses, the bouquet looks beautiful with red, pink, lavender, yellow, and peach roses. Lainey is going to love the array of colors. “That will be sixty-five dollars.” I set the bouquet on the counter by the register.
Dean reaches into his back pocket, pulls out his wallet, and gives me his debit card. “For what it’s worth, it will all work out.”
Not understanding what he is talking about, I politely nod and run his debit card through the machine to process it. “Thanks.” I hand him his card once the transaction is complete. He nods, picks up the roses, and walks out of my shop.
My curiosity gets the best of me, and I send a group text to my friends before I change my mind.
Me:Has he shown up yet?
My heart races.
Why do I care whether Dawson has shown up for his date with Lainey?
Probably because I secretly hoped there was some kind of girl code that prevented friends from dating the guy another friend likes. Not that I’ve ever officially admitted to liking Dawson.
Lainey:Not yet. He’s already ten minutes late, so I might just call it a night and go home.
Me:You can’t. I mean, he’s expecting you. You can’t just walk out on your date.
I might not want Lainey and Dawson to go out on a date together, but he deserves better than to be stood up, even if he’s ten minutes late.
Marigold:Esme’s right--it wouldn’t be polite to leave. If anything, take a few turns on the ice. I know how much you love ice skating.
Ruby:I feel like I missed something.
Marigold:Maybe if you’d unlock lips with your boss for five seconds, you’d know what’s going on.
My friends' easy banter helps relieve some of the stress I’m feeling over Lainey’s date with Dawson. If only I could close early and go home to a nice bubble bath and a glass of wine. But no, Friday and Saturday nights are busy with everyone wanting to buy flowers for their dates.
When no one explains the situation to Ruby, I type out a response.
