Page 76 of Coming Up Roses

It’s already loud and chaotic when we step inside, forever the last to arrive.

Dallas, Katie, Sadie, Olivia and Violet all greet us in various ways from simple greetings to a running hug from Sadie, as per usual.

Violet serves us massive plates of sweet and sour meatballs, rice and vegetables and we all dig in, conversation sliding into its usual easy banter.

“You two off somewhere after this?” Olivia asks Abi and I pause shovelling food into my mouth to see how she’s going to respond.

“Ah, I have a little more I have to do before we’re ready for this wedding tomorrow,” Abi says, eyes not leaving her plate.

“I thought it was all sorted?” Olivia asks, her eyes narrowing. “What happened since lunchtime when I was down there?”

“Um, well, the flowers arrived and the florist got it wrong again.”

“Wrong how?” Olivia asks, voice steely and Abi’s cheeks turn pink. “And what do you mean again?”

Abi opens her mouth, but no words come out. She lifts her chin, her gaze crashing into mine across the table.

“Hey,” I say to Olivia. “It was the florist’s fuck up, not Abi’s. They sent the flowers, but they aren’t arranged. And she means again because this isn’t the first time it’s happened.”

Olivia instantly turns sheepish. “Sorry, Abi,” she says. “I wasn’t meaning to sound pissed at you. You’re right about it not being the first time either. I think we need to find a new one.” She pauses, moving her food around her plate with her fork. “Why didn’t you tell me about the first time?”

“Ah, I didn’t want to let you down,” Abi mutters, her cheeks turning even redder as she realises everyone in the room is paying attention to her.

“Well, we’re all here to help you,” Katie says. “I’m not sure flower arranging is really in my skillset but I can give it a go. You can find a new florist next week.”

Abi glances at Katie, shooting her a small smile, then looks back to Olivia.

“What she said,” Olivia agrees, gesturing to Katie. “Sorry about your evening though.”

“It’s fine.” Abi shrugs. “Was only going to be hanging out with Flynn anyway.” She shoots me a smirk.

“Rude,” I exclaim. “I’m excellent company.”

Katie pats my arm. “Sure thing, sweetheart. We all know Livvie and I are better.”

Sweetheart.

The name registers in my brain, but coming from Katie it doesn’t mean a damn thing, except that she’s an annoying little shit.

When Abi calls me that though … then it means everything.

I scoff, then glance back across the table at Abi. Her mouth curls into a smile and she quickly glances around the table before sending an air kiss in my direction.

Conversation resumes around me, with Abi explaining how the flowers need to be arranged and as soon as the meal is done, everyone, including Violet, Dallas and Sadie, pile into vehicles to head back to the function centre. I expect Abi to get in one of the utes, but she follows me straight to my bike and slides on behind me.

As we pull in the driveway, a little red hatchback is coming along the road from the opposite direction. It rolls to a stop and I smile as the driver’s window lowers to reveal Tilly Sheridan.

“Everything okay?” Tilly asks.

“Hey, Tilly,” Abi says, surprising me. They must know each other from Sugar, because I can’t think where else they would have crossed paths. “Just a mishap with the flowers for a wedding tomorrow. It’s apparently all hands on deck to get it sorted.”

Tilly lifts both her hands from the steering wheel of her car. “Want another set?”

“Oh, no. It’s okay. You must already have plans.”

“Nope. Nothing important. Was just going to see the family. But it’s fine. I can see them anytime.”

“Well, we’d appreciate the help,” I say, then head up the driveway, with Tilly following close behind. As we pull to a stop and I wait while Abi climbs off the bike I ask her how she knows Tilly.

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