Page 88 of Coming Up Roses

Not after what he said to his brother.

I shouldn’t have lingered, but once I was out on the porch,the door closed behind me I worried that I’d left Flynn too soon. Maybe I should have stayed with him for the conversation with his brother.

But then it quickly turned to me. His voice echoes through my head as I recount the wine glasses we have on hand for the third time. I can’t concentrate enough to get it right.

“Nothing is weighing me down. We’re friends. That’s it. There’s nothing else there.”

His words shouldn’t have hit me as hard as they did. Because it’s the truth, but my heart still gives sad little pangs every time I remember.

Then there’s the radio silence this week.

I’ve text him twice, asking first if he was free Sunday afternoon to hang out and he’d replied with a very brief, vague excuse about being too busy.

I messaged him again later, asking him to let me know when he would be free.

He didn’t reply to that one.

I refocus on my counting. I need to determine how many glasses were broken at the event over the weekend so I can charge the client for the loss and I’ve let it drag on far too long already.

The sound of a motorbike approaches, the crunch of gravel, then the sound of the engine cuts off.

I curse, because I’ve lost count again, but then I turn my attention to the doorway, my heart in my throat.

Dallas steps inside.

I deflate, but try not to let my disappointment show.

“Hey,” he says, smile wide and relaxed.

“Hey,” I reply, and drop my clipboard on the table beside me.

“You have a minute?”

“Yeah, sure. Want to go sit outside?”

Dallas nods and we head around the side of the old barn, towards the gazebo. It’s a gorgeous day, with endless blue skies meeting the Wildflower Ridge hills, all lit by stunning early summer sunshine.

We sit side by side in the gazebo, looking out over the pond.

“How are things?” Dallas asks.

“Yeah, they’re really good.” I smile. Things really are good. Great even. Except where Flynn is concerned, but I can’t think about him now.

“You’re happy with how things are going with Sadie?”

“Things with Sadie are amazing. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

He loops an arm around my shoulders and pulls me against him in a side hug. I love that even after everything we went through, we can still be friends.

“How do you feel about having her this weekend?”

“Yeah, sure. Saturday or Sunday? I have no events on.”

“Saturday and Sunday.”

“Overnight?” My breath stutters and Dallas must feel my body go stiff.

“Only if you want to. Katie and I are going away for the weekend and we thought you might like to spend the time with Sadie. But Violet can have her if it’s too much.”

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