Page 7 of Stuck With the Billionaire Grump

“Lucille Annabeth Montgomery, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you don’t trust me to do my job well enough. Never mind that I’ve been in business for longer than you’ve been alive, young lady.”

I give Mrs. Whitten, owner and operator of Shoreside Flower Shop for the past thirty years, my most angelic smile.

“Not at all,” I assure her. “I like to double-check things, just in case. You know how it is.”

She laughs, her short gray bob swaying as she tosses her head back. “Double-check? More like triple-check. Can’t blame you, though, dear. I know you want to make sure Josieandelijah’s wedding is perfect.”

I grin at the older woman. That’s how all the locals know Josie and Elijah. Not as two separate beings, but as a single unit that’s destined to stay together forever and ever. Even during the years when Elijah lived in California and their romance was nothing but a shared memory, a lot of people in Mermaid Shores struggled to get used to the idea of just Josie. I knowthat bothered her sometimes, but she’s certainly not wasting her worries on it anymore.

“Yes, ma’am,” I answer. “So, the lilacs…”

“The lilacs will be trimmed the morning of to make sure they’re fresh and fragrant,” Mrs. Whitten assures me. “And before you ask,yes, Mr. Linden already confirmed that the wisteria in the manor’s conservatory is blooming beautifully. Mostly white, with hints of mauve.”

I nod. “And the peonies for her bouquet?”

“They’ll be pink and fluffy, just as they should be.”

Josie’s color scheme is unique, but definitely pretty. It’s mostly white, of course, but with strategic pops of pastel blue, soft lavender, and the barest touch of delicate pink. She couldn’t decide on a simple two-color combination, so we opted for a more complex spectrum that reminds me of the summer sky at dawn.

I sigh wistfully as I imagine how amazing it’s going to look in just three days’ time.

Three days.I have so much to do.

“You’re the best, Mrs. Whitten, but I’ve really got to get going. I need to confirm that Gigi managed to get all the final ingredients needed for the reception dinner menu.”

The florist snorts. “So, you’re on a mission to harass all of us diligent, hardworking businesswomen today, huh?”

“The businessmen, too. I need to make sure Mr. Dechaine has the Mercedes ready.”

Mayor Dechaine’s father was kind enough to volunteer his vintage white convertible for Josie and Elijah to make a very stylish getaway in at the end of the reception. He’s a collector of classic cars, and he occasionally rents them out. Not for joy rides, but for things like photoshoots or locally produced movies, which happens a lot more often than one might imagine.Luckily, he’s a huge fan of the town’s beloved Josieandelijah, so we got a discount.

“Oh, don’t you worry. I saw him scrubbing down that pretty little car earlier this morning when I drove by.” Mrs. Whitten chuckles and winks at me. “But I’m sure you’d rather see it with your own eyes.”

I flutter my eyelashes innocently. “You know me too well.”

“You’ve always been such a lovely, smart lady, Lucy. I always knew you Montgomery girls would do something great. And I’m sure Josie is going to give just as much effort and attention to detail to your wedding one day.”

At that last comment, my smile wavers ever so slightly. Mrs. Whitten doesn’t seem to notice, being too busy fussing over a stem of foxglove.

It’s not that I’m anti-marriage. Obviously not. I’m the co-owner of an event management company, and a lot of the events we manage are, in fact, weddings. It’d be a weird career path for me to follow if I didn’t like them.

Still, even though it’s been so much fun to plan Josie’s wedding, I have a hard time imagining any of this stuff happening for me someday. After all, don’t you typically have to be in love with someone to want to get married?

Falling in love sounds like more trouble than it’s worth, if I’m being completely honest. I mean, maybe I’ll get around to it someday, and then Josie can plan my wedding when I’m well into my forties or whatever, but for now…

For now, the thought of having a wedding of my own sounds like something out of an alternate reality.

Instead of admitting any of that out loud to Mrs. Whitten, I let out an easy laugh and say, “Yeah, maybe someday.”

“Indeed. Now, don’t you dare worry about these flowers. If I see you marching in here one more time in the next three days to micromanage me—”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Mrs. Whitten,” I promise her, offering her my brightest smile. “I know you’ve got everything under control.”

She tuts her tongue, but there’s a twinkle of humor in her eyes.

“Bye!” I chirp, twirling away toward the exit.

“Bye-bye, dear.”

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