“Okay, did Declan call everyone?” I throw my hands up, leaning back in the barstool.
They shed their coats, hanging them on the hook and toeing off their shoes.
“When I got his text this morning, I knew things were bad,” Leon says. “He was worried, and so am I.”
“I told him I was fine.”
Jacob waves me off, grabbing one of my vases to put the flowers in. “I’d be worried if you were.”
“I’m going to have to have a talk with him about what fine means.”
Aiden pats me on the back as he goes over toward the stove. “Then he knows exactly what it means. Fine is never fine.”
A glass of amber liquid is slid in front of me. Jacob winks as he takes a seat next to me. “Agreed. You found a good one.”
“Yeah, I really did.” I swirl the glass around before taking a sip.
The bourbon burns on the way down, but helps to settle my insides. Leon is at the stove, helping Kathleen with the soup while Aiden turns the oven on to heat up the bag of rolls he brought.
All these people are here because of Declan. Because of the one person that means more to me than anything else.
Who cares so much about me that he didn’t want me left to my own devices today. His parents drove over eight hours to be here. I know Leon closed the shop because without a manager there, who else would oversee things?
My parents might be the worst and not care, but Declan does.
My husband, who I love more than anything in the world, even though we got married on a whim in Vegas.
I don’t give a damn that I lost my trust.
I have Declan and these people.
That means more than they’ll ever know.
“You look sad,” Leon says, leaning across the counter at me. “You had a smile and now it’s gone.”
My lip quivers. “I wish I could buy the shop from you, but I don’t think I’ll be able to now.” It sinks like a lead weight in my stomach. All I’ve ever wanted is now out of reach.
“Why would you think that?” Leon asks, looking confused.
“You told me that.” I point out. “You wanted to sell Enchanted Petals free and clear so you could travel with Jacob.”
Jacob nods his head next to me. “Darling, you’ve said that several times.”
“I have?” Leon looks chagrined. “I’m sorry if I made you think that’s the only way you could have the shop. The only person I trust with my baby is you.”
“Hey!” Jacob interjects. “I thought I was your baby.”
I snicker at the two of them, the lightness clearing my full head.
“Of course you are,” Leon tells him. “But I’ve had Enchanted Petals much longer than you, and I love it. I wanted to make sure it was in good hands. Alice is the only person I would sell it to.”
“Which is impossible because my parents voided my trust.”
“We can work something else out, Alice,” Leon says.
“Really?”
Leon cups my cheeks, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Yes. I want you to have the store. There is no one that loves it more than you, and I’m including myself in that. You have apassion for what you do that shines through in everything you create. Clients love you. Customers love you. I love you. It’s a done deal.”
