“Fine,” I answer.
I watch him drag his eyes up me, settling back on the arm of the chair as he positions his hands on his lap, “Just fine?”
I shrug, “Just let me wallow for a while, yeah?”
“No.” he frowns. “I won’t allow some asshole to make you feel like that, Sidney.”
“How else am I meant to feel, Noah?” I sigh, “This always happens. Maybe there is something wrong with me.”
“You’re perfect,” he growls, “There is not a single thing wrong with you. Not one thing.”
“Biased,” I tell him with a click of my fingers.
“I’m not biased,” his molars grind, making the muscle in his jaw tick.
“It’s fine,” I wave it off. “I’m a strong, independent woman. I’ve got this.”
His gray eyes bounce around my face, and he opens his mouth to say something when a loud ring rips through my apartment. He pulls his cell from his pocket and winces when he looks at his screen. “I’ve got a meeting.”
“Go,” I turn back to my bedroom, “I’ll see you later?”
“Dinner at mine?” He asks.
“Of course,” I agree, “See you later.”
“Later, cricket.”
I don’t hear him leave, but I know the moment he’s gone because an emptiness settles into my space. LikeI’m spiritually aware of his absence. I suppose it’s always been like that between us, a string that binds us together.
I am fully believing in the universe and how it brings people together. It knew I needed a person like Noah Calahan, and it provided. I couldn’t live without him. He is my best friend.
Live a little, cricket.
The world shines brighter because you’re in it; imagine how radiant it might be if you just let go.
Love, Noah.
I grin as I glance between the note and the dozen donuts he had delivered to the shop.
I’d spent the whole afternoon finalizing the bouquets for the wedding, and I have an hour to go before they’re due to be collected.
I openedPeace and Peoniesfour years ago, something I had always wanted to do since I joined my grandmother in her garden back when I was just a kid. She taught me everything I know about flowers and plants, and after working for other people throughout my twenties, doing things I absolutely hated, I was given the opportunity to openPeace and Peonies. Ihave my grandmother to thank for that, too. She passed and left me a bunch of money, giving me a step up to open my business.
It took a while to get it off the ground, but after a couple of viral videos, I am now booked out for months for a range of different occasions. I love how flowers can add just a little bit of color to people’s lives, bring joy on a rainy day.
With time to spare, I lower into my chair behind the desk I use to make the smaller, more intricate displays and pick a strawberry crème donut from the box. I polish off the treat and then finish up a small display I had been working on with the offcuts of the bouquets, and by the time I’ve finished that, the bride and her party arrive. Their excited laughs travel from the front of the shop, the little bell above the door matching the sound.
Slipping out from behind the desk, I walk through to the front, finding six women, all dressed up for a night out, waiting for me.
“Kelly, hi,” I greet the bride before I say hello to the girls with her. “All ready to see them?”
“Girl!” Kelly grins. “I was just telling the girls how lucky I was to book in with you.”
“Well, I hope I have lived up to your expectations.” I show them through to the collection area where I have all their bouquets ready. “I can make any changes you need me to.”
Kelly gasps as she rushes forward, “Oh my god.”
For a few long seconds she stares at the flowers, and nerves rattle through me; her face giving nothingaway. It goes on so long I convince myself she absolutely hates everything about them.
