She patted my arm. “Off you go. Call me soon.” She continued down the block toward the Shears hair salon. “I want updates!”
I waved, nodding like a bobblehead to keep her happy, and then slipped into Rainbow Garden with a sigh.
Jamie stood inside, holding a takeout bag of Squealin’ Pig BBQ. The aroma of dozens of flowers mingled with its scent. Even with Maverick storing his flowers in coolers and the back room—with only a few plants on display—the whole shop smelled like a beautiful garden.
Maverick stood behind the check-out counter, snipping stems and arranging big sunflowers, yellow button chrysanthemums, and white daisies.
Jamie lifted the bag. “I got the hot links you love. I know it’s not quite as good as when I was catering…”
“It’s great,” Maverick said, turning the bouquet to view it from all sides. He adjusted a sprig of something green and leafy. “You know I’m not picky. Though, of course, your food was so good, Jamie. You don’t miss feeding people?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“He’s always loved dogs more than us,” I said with a sad sigh.
Jamie looked horrified. “I do not! I just enjoy making the biscuits because they deserve treats for being such good boys and girls. Someone has to spoil them.”
Maverick laughed. “Jamie, he’s just messing with you.”
Jamie gave me a look. “Rude.”
“What can I say? You make it easy.”
He huffed and turned to Maverick. “Guess who he was talking to outside? Iola!” His expression turned coy. “She looked happy, so I guess you’ve changed your mind about this matchmaking now that you’re hot for Bryson?”
“I’m not hot for anyone!”
I objected a little too fiercely. Maverick gave me an appraising look over the flowers. “Come on, be real. You and Bryson have great chemistry. I felt like Jamie and I needed popcorn the other night at Taco Loco.”
“What? That’s crazy.” I gave an uneasy laugh. “You were both there. We were all talking together.”
“But his eyes were always on you,” Jamie pointed out.
“And vice versa,” Maverick said. “There’s something there, Silas. I know you’re afraid because of what happened with Michael, but?—”
“Don’t say his name,” my voice cracked out, too sharp.
Maverick’s eyes widened. Jamie sucked in a startled breath beside me. I groaned and dragged a hand down my face. “I’m sorry. I’m on edge. I didn’t sleep too well last night.”
Neither of them pointed out the most likely reason why.
They weren’t wrong. The closer I got to Bryson, the more Michael haunted me. The memory of what I’d lost, of the pain and humiliation he’d dealt me. He could have called off the wedding before I was standing like a fool in front of all ourguests.
He could have been honest about his doubts, at least.
I’d had no clue. I’d stood there, smiling, completely unaware he was about to say “I don’t” and run away with abartenderhe’d met at our rehearsal dinner. My stomach turned over, and I changed the subject.
“You might have a new customer soon,” I said, approaching the check-out counter. “Noel just presented Darren and Linc with an edible flower salad.”
“Like dandelions?” Jamie asked.
“No, it was blossoming pea shoots and, um, pansies, I think.”
Maverick nodded. “He came in for a small assortment of edible blossoms. How did the salad turn out?”
“It was beautiful. Not really to Darren and Linc’s tastes, but I’m hoping he can host Caitlyn and Branson’s dinner. I think Cait would love it, and the Grand View double-booked again.”
Jamie set the take-out bag on the counter and started unpacking cartons. “Isn’t that the third time this year?”
