Page 30 of Forever Writing You

“What a brilliant idea…”

FOURTEEN

Dahlia

I need today off. Is that alright?

Aunt G.

Of course, it is. It’s *your* garden.

You know what I mean, Aunt G.

Take all the time you need, Dahlia. I understand.

“Order for Dahlia?” The barista set a cup on the edge of the counter. “Cinnamon latte, no foam?”

“That’s me,” I said, cutting through the small crowd. I picked it up and made my way outside.

I was trying to do something different today, trying to see if I could go one day without crying over my mother or thinking about Everett.

I’d failed miserably, of course, but I was progressing.

Stepping into the nearby grocery store, I strolled to the magazine aisle, determined to drown myself in celebrity gossip.

“Dahlia?” a familiar soft voice said from my left.

I didn’t look over.

“Dahlia, is that you?” The woman moved closer, and I shook my head.

“It's not me," I said. "You’re confusing me with someone else."

“I don’t think so…” Everett’s mother gently cupped my face and turned me toward her.

Then she looked into my eyes.

“I promised my son I wouldn’t bother you outside Blooms and Letters, but I’m here for you whenever you need me, okay?”

I nodded, and she pulled me into a hug.

“I wish he was marrying you instead,” she whispered. “He belongs with you, Dahlia.”

Her words broke me—triggering soft sobs, and she held me close for what felt like forever.

Before I knew it, she was driving me home.

FIFTEEN

Everett

Leo was officially the worst co-conspirator for a stalking mission.

We’d be on this “case” for three days straight, watching Carmen’s moves the moment she left the house in the mornings, and somehow, I’d restrained from strangling him and locking his body in my trunk.

Carmen’s daily routine—driving across the state for shopping, wedding and house planning, more shopping—was as entertaining as watching grass grow, and Leo’s commentary made it even more insufferable.

“We need more cheese puffs,” he said, leaning back in the passenger seat. “I can’t completely focus on today’s assignment without fresh cheese puffs.”

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