But after their date and Trinity’s confession that she often worried about what others might think, Spencer figured this was the absolute worst-case scenario for her.
It was one thing to be portrayed as two professionals decorating a newly constructed home together. It was something else entirely to be depicted as a real-life couple not only in pictures, but in the actual text of the article. On more than one occasion through the piece, Molly suggested Trinity would live at the homestead with Spencer, something neither of them ever mentioned or even hinted at. But then again, the very clear image of them wrapped up in each other’s arms, lips pressed together, eyes closed, suggested a different story.
“I’m sorry the article didn’t turn out exactly how you’d hoped. But from an outsiders perspective, it really is a great piece. Sure, Molly took some liberties regarding your relationship with Trinity, but she did an excellent job highlighting the builders and spotlighting the ranch and all that Nana has done to make it successful. Plus, there’s an entire paragraph about Trinity’s flower shop. I can only imagine that is good for business. In those ways, I think it’s a big win.”
Spencer didn’t disagree. Aside from the gross overstep regarding the whole relationship thing, the piece as a whole was great. He loved how they’d captured his new home, both on film and on the written page. It was an article that he would have framed and hung up on the wall had it not been for his knowledge of Trinity’s insecurities.
He’d yet to talk to her but figured she’d already seen the article. The magazine had been delivered to every storefront early this morning, stacks and stacks available for the public to freely take and read. He thought he even saw a place for the magazine rack at her floral shop the last time he stopped in. There was no way she’d missed it.
He wondered if a simple text to check in would be okay, but then realized this was something that needed to happen face to face.
So after his sister left for Nana’s ranch house down the hill, he hopped in his truck and headed in the direction of Joyful Blooms. He was nervous and still wasn’t sure how to approach the entire situation. Because when it came down to it, he loved that picture. It was one thing for Trinity to express her feelings about him verbally, but something else entirely to see her affection from someone else’s perspective. And he loved what he saw because it was confirmation that Trinity cared for Spencer as much as he cared for her.
Angling his truck tires against the curb, he killed the engine once he arrived at her shop. The store was bustling, with several patrons ducking in and out, entering with arms empty and exiting with gorgeous bouquets in their hands and big smiles on their faces.
He spent some time crafting an apology.“I’m so sorry, Trinity. I’ll go collect every copy and we can have a big bonfire at the ranch tonight,”and“Maybe we can claim it isn’t us in the photograph”were his top two ideas, but he knew they werenothing more than empty gestures. The damage had already been done.
Spiraling with his thoughts, he waited in the truck until the crowd died down and, from his vantage point, the shop appeared to be mostly empty.
He spotted her immediately behind the big work table, a bunch of colorful stems in one hand, clippers in the other. Even from his spot at the door, he could hear her humming something quietly. There was no background music, no white noise other than her sweet voice that carried throughout the store like a gentle breeze.
Spencer found himself locked in his tracks, simply taking the scene in. It was a peaceful moment that he figured wouldn’t last once Trinity realized she had company.
He softly cleared his throat.
Her eyes shot up to his. “Spencer.”
“Hey, Trinity.” He ventured another step closer, but she surprised him when she rushed out from behind the table and threw her arms around his shoulders, lifting onto the tips of her toes to press a kiss to his mouth.
“I figured I should take advantage of the moment alone before another customer comes through those doors. It’s been inexplicably busy this morning.” She drew back and wiped her palms on her apron before returning to her space behind the counter. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you until tonight. Lucky me.”
“I wanted to come by to make sure you were okay.”
She snipped the end of a rose stem and look up. “Of course, I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You haven’t seen the article yet, have you?”
Her clippers stilled. She placed them onto the table. “Is it already out?”
He nodded. “It is. I’m sorry. I assumed you’d have a whole stack here.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Just the stores over on Main Street have them, and I’ve been so busy with customers this morning that I haven’t had the chance to go over and pick up a copy.” She paused. “But I’m guessing you have.”
“I have.”
“Should I be worried?”
“That really depends.”
Just then, the entrance door opened to a flurry of chatty women with coffee cups from Bitter Cold in their hands, each one buzzing about excitedly as they filed into the store.
Whatever private moment Spencer had hoped for was gone, interrupted by the commotion as the women bounced from vase to vase like bees hopping flower to flower.
Trinity’s eyes widened as they connected with Spencer’s before she scurried over to help her newest customers with their selections.
“I’ll catch up with you later,” Spencer mouthed, ducking out before Trinity could protest. But he could see the disappointment in her eyes and in the shrug that suggested she didn’t know what else to do.
He needed to let her work, and the longer she was distracted from viewing the actual article, the better. Maybe by the time she finally did see the piece he’d have the right words to say, the correct actions to take.
