Page 92 of Flowers in Your Hair

“Yeah… I don’t get you.”

“What’s up?” I ask again.

“What are you doing tonight?” he asks. “I’m on duty till seven. I was going to see if everyone wanted to go out for a drink tonight.”

I ponder for a moment, but then think about all the plans that I have for Josie tonight. “No can do, big bro. I’ve got plans with my girl.”

A low chuckle passes through the line. “Ah, I see how it is. Ditching everyone else just for her.”

“Can you blame me?” I laugh.

“Honestly? No.”

“Exactly.”

Beau chuckles from behind me, and I know he’s listening into the conversation.

“I’m kicking Beau out anyway. Josie should be home soon.”

“Loud and clear, little bro. I’ll catch up later,” Thomas hangs up the phone after saying goodbye.

“I take it, that's my cue?” Beau asks with a laugh.

“You got that right.”

41

JOSIE

My throat tightens when I spot Tessa hooked on Zack’s arm. She’s wearing a beautiful baby blue dress, blonde hair in long, loose curls framing her face. She looks like the same Tessa I’ve known since I was a kid, though it’s weird to see her on the arm of the man I once loved. The love that I felt for him is so different from the all consuming love I feel for Andrew.

Tessa’s waving at me through my car window, and I don’t really know what to do in this situation. They must be attending the wedding, based on their attire. Zack taps the window again, saying something over the blaring music that automatically plays when I connect my phone to the stereo, instead of the audiobook that I want. I disconnect my phone, turning off my vehicle. They step back as I open the door, climbing out. “Hey…” I greet, awkwardly waving.

“Hey!” Tessa squeals excitedly. She drops her arm from Zack's elbow, reaching to tug me into a tight hug. “Ahhh,” she croons. “I’ve missed you sooo much! We can’t go this long without talking again.”

I chuckle, not quite knowing how to respond. I give her a squeeze in return. “What are you guys doing here? Do you know the couple?”

Zack nods. “Yeah, the groom is a family friend.”

“Ah.”

“The flowers are gorgeous,” Tessa remarks. “It gave me some ideas for our wedding.”

“Oh, good,” I say, I’m about to change the subject, not really wanting to discuss their potential nuptials, when Tessa holds out her hand, displaying the very large, very gaudy looking ring.

“He proposed last night,” she giggles.

“Wow…” I say, taking her hand in mine to take a look at the ring. It’s definitely not something I would choose for myself, but for Tessa? It suits her. “It’s beautiful, congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Tessa says. She pulls back her hand, wrapping herself into Zack again. “We are just so happy. I suppose we have you to thank.”

“Me?” I ask.

“Yes!” Tessa says. “If you two hadn’t dated, then we never would have met. And if you hadn’t broken up…” she drifts off.

“Happy to be of service,” I reply with a tight laugh.

“You’ll find someone who loves you the way Zack loves me,” she says. “Just the way you are.” Her eyes pointedly glance at my midsection. Love that for me.

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