Page 69 of Love Her

Chapter 31

Connor

As I walk aimlessly from store to store down Main Street, I consciously avoid The Closet. The fact that I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect gift for over two hours and find myself empty-handed leads me to believe what I need is in that particular shop.

The scene of the crime. While no actual blood was shed there, the shambles of my relationship with Lis have left a mark and I can only imagine there is evidence of that on the sidewalk. Standing in front of the flower shop, I contemplate just picking up something here and being done with it.

Pulling open the door, I wait for a young kid to exit. Holding a single rose, he looks nervous and happy. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s headed to see a girl. Probably to ask her to be his girlfriend or maybe be his date for prom. Stepping inside, I’m instantly hit with the aroma of fresh flowers.

“Good afternoon. How may I help you?” a woman asks from behind a large arrangement.

“Can I help you with that?” I offer, gripping the sides of the glass vase.

“Oh thank you. I may have gotten a little overzealous.”

Taking the vase from her hands, I’m caught off guard by the heaviness. How was such a petite person holding this?

“Where to?”

Smiling, she points to a table in the middle of the room. I inhale the sweet smell and file away the idea to send flowers to my mom. It’ll be a pleasant surprise for her and hopefully will make up for sporadic video chats the last few weeks. Something I know she is less than thrilled about.

“Thank you. Now, what can I help you with?”

“I wanted to get something for a friend. She received an award for—”

“Are you talking about Dakota? I just love that girl. She’s so sweet.”

I can’t disagree with her but chuckle internally that a woman who isn’t much older than I am is referring to Dakota as a girl. Her smile is wide and it’s next to impossible not to return it.

“Yes. Do you have any ideas?”

“Well, the arrangements we put together for the party feature lilies and—”

“She already has flowers?”

Her smile falls a little and she nods her head. Well, hell. Tossing my head back, I release a long breath. “I guess more flowers wouldn’t be the best gift.”

“I say you can never have too many flowers, but she did order quite a bit. Her poor husband looked overwhelmed when he picked them up this morning.”

Knowing Grant like I do, I’m sure he hated that surprise. While he’s calmed down tremendously since leaving the military, and even more since marrying Dakota, my former captain likes structure and order.

“Thank you for that tidbit; I can’t wait to give him grief about it later. It looks like I have some shopping to do, I should go.”

Just a step from the door, the woman says, “Try The Closet. Loretta always has great gift ideas.”

Of course she does. I thank the woman and exit the building. Maybe Lis’s mom isn’t even working today. Sure, she owns the shop, but I know the high school girls she employs often work there on the weekends. Even after my conversation with Mr. Remington earlier in the week, and the simple text exchange with Lis, nerves settle low in my belly at the idea of speaking to Loretta Remington.

She was kind enough yesterday at the game, saying hello with a bright smile before ushering Jacob from the field toward where Lis stood off to the side. Clementine offered me a tentative wave, which I returned. Perfectly polite. Small town manners.

The bell chimes through the store as I cross the threshold. I didn’t make it much farther into the store when I was here last time, so I allow myself a few minutes to scan the displays. Bright colors and wild prints catch my eye first. Maybe this isn’t the best place for me to choose a gift for Dakota.

Turning to leave, her voice stops me in my tracks. I hear the awe and hope in her tone and my heart skips. I’ve missed her. More than I should after what I heard. Yet, standing here with her just feet away, I almost forget why I left that day.

“Connor?”

Lifting my lips into a small smile, I spin to face her. “Hey, Lis.”

Her smile is tentative. Shy, even. It’s the version that has always made me long for the full, bright, and joyful version. The smile that lights up her face and makes you believe everything will be okay. My eyes follow her finger as she slips her thumbnail between her teeth. She’s nervous.

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