My Darling Bride(43)

I glance back to the bookstore, and Jane still stands there, her arms crossed and a drawn expression on her face. Babs waves and points to my engagement ring, still on her finger. Andrew looks ecstatic and gives me a thumbs-up as he grins.

Right. I inhale a steady breath as I head back inside to finally close up.





Chapter 11


EMMY


I walk into the store the next day with my head down. I got here earlier and opened, but once the staff arrived and we seemed slow, I popped down to the secondhand store a block over to look at summer baby clothes for Londyn. I found a sturdy pair of sandals for when she starts walking and a pink ruffled-bottom bathing suit. I’m smiling when I hear Babs calling my name.

I come to a dead stop in the rotunda, my mouth gaping at the flowers. Bouquets are everywhere: on the steps leading up the stairs, in the sitting areas, on tables, on the checkout counter, on top of the bakery case, overflowing from every corner, and spilling out into the aisles. Roses, carnations, daisies, gardenias, and a whole host of other flowers I can’t even begin to know litter the space with vibrant colors. It’s like stepping into a garden in the middle of the store. The sweet scents mingle together and waft up around me in a fragrant haze.

“What the hell?” I murmur under my breath as I do a spin. I was only gone for half an hour. One of the delivery guys brushes past me and sets another vase on the staircase, then heads back outside to the van.

I grab one of them by the arm, a young guy in his teens. “Excuse me, who sent these?”

“They’re for some guy’s fiancée, Emmy.”

“That’s me.”

He grins. “Congrats. We’ve got another van coming, miss. I gave the note he sent to Babs.”

Everyone seems to know Babs. I’m not surprised he’s already found out her name.

“Did you say there was another van?” I ask loudly, then take a breath and settle. “No. Just no. It’s already a forest in here. We can’t take any more flowers. I need room for customers. I need room to work.”

The delivery guy fidgets. “Um, you don’t want them?”

I wave my arm around the store. “I have enough. What do you think?”

He gives me a lopsided grin. “I think someone must be crazy about you.”

Hardly. He’s just making a point. And all because Kian left me calla lilies.

Babs dashes toward me, smiling for all she’s worth as she waves a white envelope. “Aren’t they just gorgeous? Girl. What did you do to that man that he sent these? You must be a tiger in the sack. Roar!” She claws the air and does a little hip thrust.

Oh dear. I rub my temples as I turn to the delivery guy. “Do me a favor, please. Deliver the rest of them to the nearest hospital, and ask them to give them to patients who don’t get visitors.”

He looks uncertain.

“Please. They’re my flowers, and that’s what I want.”

He nods and turns away from me to make the phone call.

Babs pouts. “What? You’re not taking all of them? Are you crazy? The man loves you. He just wants you to know.”

Not true.

“I need some decaf tea,” I say as I head to the kitchen, with her following on my heels.

“Do you want the note?”

I take it from her hand and rip it open.

Darling,

You need another favorite flower. No more calla lilies.

Your future husband

I whip out my phone and send him a text.

With what you spent on flowers, I could have bought a small car.

But not a Lamborghini. Did you pick a favorite yet?

No.

Then I’ll send more tomorrow.

I groan aloud as I grab a croissant and take a bite. My future husband is a stubborn man.

I sent the last of them to the hospital for the sick people. Flowers eventually wilt and die, and then I’ll have a huge mess to clean up. I think you might be jealous of the secret flowers someone left me, I send.

Please. He’s not worthy. Pick. A. Flower. Darling.

I’ve been called Darling my whole life. Is that going to be your nickname for me?

Yes. It suits you.

Okay, Creamy.

Which flower?

I go back out into the store and gaze around. A large pink-and-orange bouquet full of roses and peonies is on the counter, and I touch one of the silky petals. It smells divine.

Peonies, I text back.

Why?

I groan louder this time as I type. They make me happy. I like their shape. Enough?

Peonies it is. See you soon.

Shaking my head, I go to my office.



It’s late in the afternoon and I’m going through invoices when Babs pokes her head in. her shoulders slumped. Her makeup is a complete mess from crying, and one of her lashes is missing.

“Everything okay?” I ask gently. Even though the sale isn’t final yet, Terry cleaned out his office earlier today and left to go fishing. She hasn’t recovered.

“Are you free? Your sister is here.”

Jane sneaks through the door. “Of course she is. I don’t need an appointment. And why does the store look like a florist? I could barely get in the front door.”

“Yes, they’re from Graham. It’s fine, Babs. Thank you,” I tell her.

Babs nods, sniffing. “All right. Do you still want me to give away a bouquet with each fifty-dollar purchase?”