CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
NICHOLAS
Everyone knows!
My morning walk through the neighborhood is a gauntlet of curious glances. In the coffee shop, I get a wink from an old friend, and the barista flat out asks me about it, which makes every ear in the establishment perk up.
“No comment,” I say cheerfully, heading out the door.
The scrutiny is not at all what I wanted, but as I approach my thirtieth birthday, I’m determined to celebrate my many successes, professional and personal.
Flower Hub is about to open, and I’m not balking. It will be a heavy lift to take the farmer’s market stand on a tour of local festivals while managing all my other responsibilities, but I know I can make the payoff worthwhile.
And working myself to the bone seems to help me ignore the other emotions threatening to surge through my soul. The emotions that insist Clay isn’t supposed to leave. That this is more than sex, even though more isn’t possible.
I scold myself to remember that. I’m going to support Clay and his dream just like he supports me and Blossom.
Nance steps out from the side gate, crossing my path outside the store. She winks and points a finger at me. “Didn’t know youhad it in you, Nicky. Go get yourself a good time. Clay isn’t such a punk after all.”
I groan internally because this is way too much like having your aunt compliment your sex life. “Thanks, Nance,” I manage. “Gotta go!”
Work isn’t any better, although a lot of the nosy people buy flowers in an attempt to look less nosy, so we do make a healthy business as I dodge questions.
It’s not until halfway through the afternoon, just after I switch onNever Been Kissed, that Kavya and I are finally alone in a quiet shop for a moment.
Kavya pushes a vase aside. “Is the sex amazing?” she asks immediately.
I laugh. “Yes, as a matter of fact.”
She nods. “I figured. I wouldn’t have thought you could get happier. But it was like you’d achieved some new level of good spirit. Only explanation was sex.”
“Don’t pretend you’ve known the whole time.”
“Maybe not the whole time.”
She sits at the work counter, and I sit next to her.
“Are you bringing a date to my birthday party?” I ask.
Kavya shakes her head. “No. I’m going stag. I got a floral-print suit. But like, badass black pansies floral.”
“Sounds hot.”
She shifts her weight. “Yeah. There’s a singles party at the lesbian bar later. I’ll make a night out of it.”
I grin. “Clay is going to be at the birthday party, and everyone is going to know that I’m sleeping with him.”
“Are you going to get drunk and suck his face in front of all your friends?”
“No,” I say with a laugh. “Gross.”
I’m way more affectionate than Clay, but making out in front of everyone is not my style any more than it is his.
Kavya tilts her head to the side. “He’s going to take off soon,” she says evenly. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’ve accepted it,” I answer, and I hear the edge in my voice. “We’ve known he was leaving from the start. And Clay isn’t interested in having a long-term relationship. He never has been.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to be fine with it,” she points out.
