I understand why she went out with him. She was tired of obsessing over Dominic, and Brock pursued her, but the guy treated her like crap and cheated on her; she dumped him, and now, he won’t leave her alone. No matter how many times she changes phones and phone numbers.
“I thought she blocked him, and didn’t she say that Dominic got her a new phone?”
“Yes, but he somehow found out this number as well.”
I pace the floor from the island to the four-chair kitchen table and back again. “She needs a protection order against him.”
“I agree. Can you come over to Bella’s place? And when you get here, can you call Jake to find out what we need to do?”
“I can’t call him.” My heart lurches into my throat. “He’ll think it’s weird that I’m calling him.”
Asking anyone for help is not my favorite activity. And when that person is Jake, it’s ten times worse. He might get the wrong idea and think I’m calling him to get close to him. To put myself in his orbit even more.
“Fine. I understand. I’ll give him a call.”
Seriously, I don’t need my best friend to call a guy for me. I’m a big girl. And for fuck’s sake. It’s to protect my friend’s safety, and I’d do anything for Bella and Ruby. “No, I’ll do it. Give me a few minutes to get there, and I’ll call him.” I grab my mom’s drink and take it to her.
“Good. Bella’s dad, brothers, and Dominic are on their way to Brock’s office to confront him.”
“He’d better get the message this time.”
“He should. If he doesn’t, Dominic will set him straight. He’s fuming.”
I want a guy like that. I sigh as I say goodbye to my mom.
Chapter Twenty
Jake
When I step into the flower shop, my nose tingles with the mixture of different scents. Roses, tulips, those white things with long green stems, and a bunch of other flower types that I have no idea what they are line the cooler shelves and tables.
Rosemarie surveys the crystal vase in front of her. After the door closes with a whoosh, she glances up and smiles. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
“Hello, Rosemarie.” I stride through the room, eating up the distance between us. “It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s better to see you.” She winks and lays a red rose on the counter. “You look mighty fine in that uniform.” She clicks her tongue. “If I weren’t climbing my way to sixty and married, I’d be knocking on your door.”
Heat creeps up my neck as her eyes roam over me. I clear my throat as I try to figure out a way out of this scenario without looking like an ass. “Thank you for the compliment. You look lovely today yourself.” I stick with thanks and compliments. It tends to work in most instances. “Are you feeling better from your twisted ankle?”
“You’re so sweet. And yes, I am. All fit as a fiddle.” She returns her attention to the flowers in front of her. “What do you think of roses and tulips?”
The flower shop is warm and inviting, with shelves lining the walls and open spaces with knick-knacks and trinkets. She has owned and operated the shop for as long as I can remember.
My father would drag me here to buy my mom Valentine’s Day flowers while complaining nonstop that if he brought her flowers the week before, they’d have been half the price. Then I’d be subjected to Rosemarie’s lecture about supply and demand. Followed by my father’s exasperated sighs and more grumbling.
“I don’t know the first thing about flowers. I’ll leave those types of decisions to the professionals.”
“Well….” She arches an eyebrow and pins me with a look. “You should have an opinion. How else are you going to woo a worthy girl if you don’t know anything about flowers? You need to know the specific types, which ones go together, and which ones she likes.”
“You have a point.” There’s nothing else to say. Rosemarie is the queen of lectures. I shove my hands into my pockets.
“Do you have a young lady?” She carefully slides a rose between several other flowers while avoiding pricking her fingers with a thorn.
“No.”
“Ah, that’s good. Aurora will be happy to hear that. She’s always thought you and Emily would make a good pairing. As far as I know, Emily isn’t dating anyone, and you’d look so good together.” Rosemarie’s eyes widen as if I’m a willing participant in this conversation. “You should take her these flowers. I’m sure she’d love them.”
“Emily isn’t into frivolous things like flowers and candy.”
