Page 28 of Always Heated

Dani calls from the back of the shop, “Hey, Cass, back here!” We follow the sound and when she sees I’m with her, she glances down at our joined hands and back to Cass. “So, the rumorsaretrue?”

“Sort of.” Cassidy beams up at me, her smile sweet and genuine. “We’re still figuring it out.” She turns back to Dani. “Sorry I couldn’t make it the other day. What did you want to discuss?”

Dani’s gaze darts between me and Cass before answering, “Are you sure you want to have this conversation with him here? No offense, Travis.”

“None taken,” I chuckle, at the same time Cass tells her, “It’s fine.”

“Well,” Dani says carefully. “I’m thinking of moving near my sister. We own this shop together. She's not doing well, but I love our shop, so I’m between a rock and a hard place. I was telling her about you and how hard you work, and she suggested that we offer you part of the business if you run it for us. You could hire someone to work here if you wanted to continue working as a NOC nurse. She understands, she was one herself, it’s rewarding and what you went to school for and?—”

“You want me to take over your shop?” Cass squeezes my hand tighter. “Dani, I could never replace you here. Not because I don’t adore it, but because Sapphire Lake loves you.”

“Will you think about it? I’d hate to close this place with no one to run it. You have such a green thumb, and your arrangements are gorgeous. I’m sorry for springing this on you, but I’m leaving in two weeks either way.”

Cass releases my hand and wraps Dani in a warm embrace. “Two weeks? I know family is important, but I’m going to miss you so much!”

“I’ll buy it,” I offer, and both of them gasp with a collective whoosh of their heads as their eyes fall on me. “My family loves your shop, and it’s only fair that you sell instead oftransferring part of your ownership. If Cassidy wants to run it, it’s hers. But this way you’ll have money that could go toward medical expenses for your sister, or a nest egg while you settle at your new place.”

“Travis, that’s sweet, but—how do I put this tactfully—how are you able to fund it?”

“It’s okay.” I chuckle softly. “My grandparents left me a lot of money when they passed away. It’s been sitting, collecting interest since I was eighteen. They thought I would need it for college, but I only had to pay for my associates, which was covered by my parents. I was able to get scholarships for my fire and EMT academy training. I’d love to buy your shop if it means it can stay open.”

“Oh my God,” Cass whispers to herself next to me.

“We would give you a fair price, and I need to insist that if Cassidy isn’t working here, she trains whoever is. We can’t have botched arrangements going out for birthdays or weddings. Speaking of weddings”—she glances down at our hands again, cocking an eyebrow—“last I heard you were engaged?”

“I, um, I was. It got a bit messy.”

Dani gestures between us. “I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. When the time comes, will you let me do your wedding floral arrangements?”

“What?” Cass sputters.

At the same time, I proudly reply, “Of course.”

Eyes narrowed on us, Dani wags a finger. “You two better get on the same page if you’re going to run my shop.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Cass talks with Dani for a bit about an upcoming order she promised to help with, while I browse the shop. It’s a good investment being one of only two florists in town. Every anniversary, every holiday, Dani is always the first to get business in town. Cass loves gardening, it’s no surprise that she’s been occasionally moonlighting here on top of the bar.

If she has something of her own, maybe she’ll slow down and address the elephant in the room. I glance back at her, talking excitedly to Dani about something. Overnight shifts are hard on your body, and she’s been doing them for over a decade. She bounces from department to department; she’s seen death and helped bring life into this world. With the good and the bad, it’s a lot for any person to handle. If she wants to continue as a nurse, I’ll support her one hundred percent, but this will give her an option if she chooses to step away from it.

cassidy

. . .

Aweek of shadowing Dani isn’t enough, but I have the bookkeeping and day-to-day worked out. Her business is significantly more profitable than nursing, but I’m hesitant to walk away from a job I love, even if the hours are killing me.

The bell to the shop door chimes, and a moment later, Inferno comes barreling in. I set down my sheers and greet him with outstretched arms. “Hey, pup!” He licks the side of my face, making me laugh. “Down, boy. I’m excited to see you too.” I glance up to find a sharply-dressed Travis. I don’t remember the last time I saw him in a button-up shirt and slacks. “Well, don’t you look fancy. What’s the occasion?”

“Lunch with my girl.” He shrugs with a sheepish grin, hands in his pockets.His girl.I like the sound of that a lot more than I thought I would. It’s one thing for him to be growling, “You’re mine,” while he’s buried inside me, but claiming me as his out in the real world gives me butterflies.

I haven’t seen much of Travis since he offered to buy the shop—our schedules are ridiculously out of sync. While I ambeyond excited that he’s taking me out today, I’m severely underdressed for whatever he has planned.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks, tucking a stray tendril that escaped my braid behind my ear.

I glance down at my skinny jeans and faded band tee. “Uh…”

Travis tilts my chin until our eyes meet. “You look beautiful, Cass. Don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere that requires a ball gown.” He leans in, kissing me softly. Fuck, I’ve missed kissing him. I sigh against his lips, feeling more grounded than I have in days. Everything is still so new between us, but at the same time it feels so natural and routine. Inferno paws at us, making Travis chuckle as we break apart. “Hey, pup, you got to kiss her. It’s my turn.”

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