Page 72 of Catching Feels

“Unknown says: queen move emoji

“How would you like to respond?”

“Can you block them?”

“Sending: can you block them?”

“No, it was a fucking question, you idiot.”

“Sending: no, it was a fucking question, you idiot.”

“Oh my God, make it stop!”

“Sending: oh my God, make it stop!”

Does it stop? No, dozens more come in.

“Fuck off, you toddler emojis, and lose my number.”

“Sending: fuck off, you toddler emojis, and lose my number.”

“Of course you are,” I grumble.

***

When the bells to the shop’s door jingle, I look up and see Rome and Elle walking in. The fact he looks like he knew I would be here, I have some explaining to do and an ass to kick.

He doesn’t walk to the counter; he begins a slow perusal, and he’s not looking at the flowers, either.

“Before you go all Rome on me, let me call my lawyer and fire her.”

“Wasn’t a lawyer,” he says, still looking around. “I stopped at Wags to bring the ladies lunch, and Cora mentioned her dad was hired to do the assessment. She was worried you were upset with her, and that’s why you hadn’t mentioned you were buying a flower shop.” He shrugs. “Told her not to worry about it; neither had I.”

“I—”

“Then I got a call from Burt.”

“Of course you did.” I reach down and grab a treat out of the box for Elle, who is sitting there, waiting patiently.

“He said you saved his life.”

“I dialed 9-1-1.”

“I think I’m more upset you didn’t tell me about that. That’s not even a grand slam moment; that’s a world series win, Jillian. You saved a life.” He walks over and finally looks at me. “The fact you didn’t share that with us so we could at least celebrate with you by sending text confetti in the group chat is?—”

“There’s more involved”—I glance around—“but Lena could be back any minute, and I don’t want?—”

“You at least give me a jog-through?”

I counter with, “Sprint?”

He smiles. “I’m good with that.”

“Should we FaceTime Mom and Hudson?”

“Mom doesn’t know?”

I rub my temples, trying to remember everything that’s gone on this past week. “She FaceTimed me right after they took Burt out on a stretcher, and I was waiting for Lena to show up, so no, not about me wanting to buy it.” We move through the back where more refrigeration systems hold flowers and tables line the walls. “This is where arrangements are put together.”

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