The question hung in the air between them and Elliot suddenly felt like he should leave but before he could slink away Jack said, ‘Muffin?’ And shoved the basket toward a surprised Gabe.
‘Um… thank you.’
‘You’re very welcome. Gotta keep your strength up!’
‘Right.’ Gabe flashed them one more slightly confused smile before taking his muffin and leaving.
‘What was that?’ Jack blew out a long breath. ‘I’m an idiot. “Gotta keep your strength up”? With muffins? What the hell is wrong with me?’
Elliot offered a few firm pats on the back in comfort.
‘I don’t know, man. That was pretty rough.’
‘Thank you so much for your support during my time of need.’
‘I’m sure it’s fine. He seemed pleased about the muffin.’
Jack groaned. ‘This is not how any of this is supposed to go! Doesn’t this guy watch romcoms? I move to a small town and now I’m supposed to get the rugged, flannel-wearing guy!’
‘Don’t you need to like trip and fall and spill your drink on him or something for that to happen?’ Elliot offered with a grin. He’d watched plenty of those romcoms with Leigh. He knew how it went. Big-city girl (or in this case guy) meets small-town guy, they crash into each other in some kind of silly scenario, spend some time hating each other, and then inevitably fall in love. It was all so simple, so appealing.
Did he still watch them now to ease his anxiety and because it was comforting to see things work out? Yes, yes, he did.
‘Oh, shut up, you’re the one fake-dating the small-town florist. And you know what happens next don’t you?’
Of course he knew, but he asked anyway. Maybe he’d feel better if someone else said it. ‘What happens next?’
‘You fall in love for real. It happens every time.’
Elliot’s stomach flipped. Nope, not better. Still panicking. Because even if there was a chance they would fall in love, he knew all too well that those movies weren’t real, that after the happily-ever-after there was still so much life to live. And there were no guarantees that the happiness would last forever. It didn’t for him and Leigh.
‘Not this time.’
Jack rolled his eyes. ‘Okay.’
‘I’m serious. I’m just doing this to help Daisy get the town off this whole curse thing.’
‘Right-o.’
‘Really.’
‘Okey-dokey.’
Elliot sighed. ‘I know you don’t believe me, but neither Daisy nor I are looking for real relationships. We’re just doing this to get everyone off our backs. Daisy gets more business, and my mother will return to Tampa happy and finally leave me alone.’
‘Whatever you need to tell yourself, bud,’ Jack said, returning Elliot’s not at all comforting pat on the back.
‘I’ll ask Daisy out for real when you ask out Gabe.’
Jack stared him down, and for a minute Elliot panicked that he was about to call his bluff.
‘Be careful,’ Jack said, jabbing a finger into the center of Elliot’s chest. ‘One day I might actually do it.’
‘Well, let me know when you do. I have to go.’
‘Say hello to Daisy for me,’ Jack said with a wink.
‘Try not to stare at Gabe’s ass all day,’ he fired back.
