Page 3 of Forever Love at Fleur's Flower Shop

‘I know.’ Fleur took another sip of her wine. ‘I got the feeling that was more for his benefit than hers.’

‘Haha, sounds like it.’

‘Sorry about that.’ Ruby slipped into her chairagain and looked around the group. ‘Fill me in. How is everyone?’

‘Good, thanks.’ Sadie grinned. ‘Just the usualcrazinessofstopping people from scaling the shelves.’

‘Oh, I heard about that. Gregory popped in earlier. You shouldhaveseen his face.’ Ruby laughed. ‘Ithink he was thatcloseto barring the bloke who did it from the whole of Nettleford.’

‘Haha, that wouldn’t surprise me.’ Sadie laughed. ‘It had to have happened when he’d been walking past, didn’t it? Typical.’

‘How about you then, Bea? How arethingswith you and Scott going?’ Ruby pouredherselfa glass of water before holding the jug and looking questioningly around the table. Once everyone had shaken their heads, she lowered it again.

‘Great. He’s booked a couple of nights away at a inn for Valentine’s Day.’ Bea smiled.

‘Oooh, you never said! Where’s he’s taking you?’ Fleur looked across at her. She’d been so wrapped up in her ownthoughtsearlier when Bea had popped round that shehadn’tthought to ask her howthingswere going. She twisted the stem of herwineglassbetween her index finger and thumb. Well, now she’d sworn offdating,at least she’d no longer be distracted by what was orwasn’thappening in her own love life any longer.

‘Pennycress Inn. It’s in Meadowfield so not far at all, but it’s just reopened, and it’s supposed to be superlovely.’

‘Oh, I know Pennycress Inn!Iwent there years ago, and it was a gorgeous place.’ Ruby took a sip of her water. ‘You’llhaveto letusknow what it’s like now it’schangedownership.’

‘Yes, I will do. I’ve got to say, I really can’twait.’ Bea grinned.

‘I don’t blame you. You deserve a weekend away after all the hours you put into your bookshop.’ Ruby nodded.

‘Says you. The woman who never sleeps.’ Picking up herwineglass, Bea held it aloft,indicating the restaurant, which was still busy considering it was a Thursday evening and not a weekend.

‘Ha.’ Ruby shrugged beforeturningto Fleur. ‘How about you? How are things going? Been on any more dates recently?’

‘Nope.’ Fleur shook her head firmly, glad she could share her radical decision with the rest of her friends. ‘AndIwon’tbe. I’mtakinga break.’

Chapter Three

Ruby’s mouth fell open before she closed it again. ‘You’re taking a break? From dating? Seriously?’

‘Yep. That’s it. For now, at least. I’m sick of menlikeDrew thinking they can do what they want and giving me no consideration at all. I’m done.’ She swept her hand in the air as though drawing a line. ‘I’m focusing on me and my own happiness for the time being.’

‘Oh, what amIgoingto do now? You know I live precariously through you.’ Ruby laughed. ‘I don’t have time to even thinkaboutdatingwith this place,that’swhyIalways come to you for all thedating gossip.’

‘Well, sorry to disappoint you, but not any longer.’ Fleur turned to Sadie. ‘You’ll have to go to Sadie.’

‘Don’t look at me.’ Sadie held herhands up, palms forward. ‘My heart’s still healing from Patrick. I’m not even close to being ready to brave the madness of the dating world just yet.’

‘Umm, well,Iguess we’ll just have to find someone elsewho’sactive on the dating scene to keep us all up-to-date then.’ Rubyslumped back in her chair.

‘Yes, you sure willbecauseitwon’tbe me.’ Fleur grinned. Shecouldn’tbelievehow carefree she feltsincemakingthedecision. She looked down at her mobile before picking it up and slipping it into her handbag. She’d be using that a whole lot less, for one thing. And she’d have a heap of time to spare, no messaging people back or spending every other evening sitting across from a stranger making small talk. Yes, she was quite looking forward to having a break. She might even take up a new hobby.

‘Fair enough.’ Rubyglancedaroundthe restaurantbefore leaning forward and lowering her voice. ‘I haven’t told you what our dear Gregory wants me to host here, have I?’

‘Aw, no, you haven’tbutI’m getting the distinct feeling I don’t want to know.’ Fleur groaned. Whatever Gregory, the grocery store owner and town’s self-elected leader of all things retail, had planned, there was one thing that she was certain of and that was that it wouldn’t be good. Whatever hare-brained idea he’d had this time was one she’d have to be ready to duck out of.

‘No, youprobablydon’t, actually. Especially in light of your recentannouncement.’ Ruby took a deep breath before continuing. ‘He’s organising a Nettleford Singles Night, complete with speed dating here in the restaurant.’

‘What?’ Fleur covered her face with her hands. She wastryingto get away from dating, the last thing she wanted was to have anything to do with a singles night. ‘I’m busy thatnight. Whenever he’s organising it for. Or else I’m moving to Australia. You can tell him that.’

‘Umm, I’m not sure you’ll be so lucky. I have a feeling he’s going to be asking us all to pitch in.’ Ruby crossed her arms.

‘How did you hear about his plans? He’s normally super good at keeping hishare-brainedideascloseto his chest so he can catch usoff guardwhen heasksfor help at the retail meetings.’ Fleur shook her head.

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