Page 10 of Resisting Temptation

I drop her shoulders, realizing how ridiculous I must look about now. “That sounds nice, thanks.” I push a smile past my clenched teeth. She’s so sweet, and I’m unquestionably losing it.

“You know you can always drop by my place if you need a chat. I’m right next door,” she offers.

“I know. Thanks,” I mutter as I start to pace her office. The problem is unlike everything else that ever happens to me.This, I don’t want to share. It hurts too much. What I want to do is distract myself with something fun. Something stupid, alcohol, dancing, a man, I don’t care what as long as my brain blocks out any memories of him. Find a new vice to bury myself in, that’s what worked when he left. I move toward the door. “Better get back to work,” I say, hoping he’s not lingering outside waiting for me.

She takes my hand before I slip away, and our eyes meet. “It’s hard having him back home.” Her caring eyes assess me with so much warmth.

I suck in air, feeling like my lungs are about to collapse. “I can’t even…” Tears well in my eyes before I can stop them.

“You don’t have to. I can see your pain.” She strokes my hand, and as silly as I feel, it’s comforting to know I have her in my corner. “It will get easier, I promise. These things just take time.”

“I really hope so, Em. Right now I’m feeling like I want to flee town. Maybe I could take off into the mountains and become a hermit. I would never have to see him again.”

Her laughter fills the air, lightening the mood. “Or anyone else. You wouldn’t last a day; you need us girls too much.”

“That’s true.” I sigh heavily. Thinking on it for a moment, I wonder how I chase him out of town instead. “Maybe I could fill his house with stink bugs or something awful, like snakes. He’s petrified of the way they slither and their little flickering tongues. I could make it so awful to live there that he has to move out.” I glance back at her, hopeful.

Amused by my dark thoughts, she bites her lip. “You could do that, or maybe don’t focus on him at all and avoid a run-in with the cops. Just pretend he doesn’t exist. That’s what I do.”

My forehead creases. Thank God someone else feels the same way. “You don’t like Noah?”

She’s quick to shake her head. “No, I think he’s great. I mean, when I don’t like someone, I just block them from my mind completely. If they talk, I don’t hear it. If they walk by me on the street, I see nothing.”

Emerson is one of the sweetest girls I know. She loves everyone, and even in her hotel uniform, looks cool as a cucumber. Who’s she giving the cold shoulder to and why don’t I know anything about it? “Remind me not to piss you off.” She laughs. “That’s not a bad idea.” My lips turn up at the sides.“Tell me, Em, who do you hate?” I ask her, my curiosity growing. From what I know, my little friend has never had an enemy.

She rolls her lips, her eyes darting to the side. “No one.” She tries to laugh it off. “I just meant that’s what I would do, you know.” She scratches her neck uncomfortably, and I know I have her. My dear friend is keeping a secret from me.

“Yeah, okay. I live right next door if you ever want to discuss him. Whoever he is,” I offer, giving her the same suggestion she gave me. I open her office door, knowing I can’t hide in here all day, even if I want to. I have a job to do. Stella, my boss, is probably waiting for me to come back to the shop and help her.

“There’s no him,” she calls after me, sounding guilty as hell.

I shake my head, amused, as I walk away. She lies as well as I do. We both know there’s some guy she’s hiding from us. And I, for one, intend to find out who it is that has my sweet little friend so twisted up.

Later that afternoon, when I arrive back at our cute little flower shop, Wild Magnolia, with a van full of empty flower buckets, I find my boss Stella leaning over the counter studying a collection of papers. I lug the buckets out the back and pull up a stool beside her, passing over the fresh salad sandwich I picked up on my way back from Bay Roaster’s Café.

“Thanks,” she says, taking the sandwich, but her voice is flat.

“Sorry I took so long. You’re never going to believe what I had to deal with back at the hotel. First, he’s moved right in next door to me, did I tell you that part already? Now he’s seeking me out at work. What the hell, right?” I start my story then notice she looks upset; her cheeks are pink, and she’s clearly been crying. “Hey, Stell, is everything okay?” I ask, my stomach sinking.

My boss is the best employer a girl could have, upbeat and fun. She has a positive attitude that keeps the customers happy and us girls who work here sticking around. She saved me and gave me a job and a chance when I thought my life was over, and I willbe forever in her debt for that. I love her dearly, but the look I’m getting back is scaring me. I’ve never once seen her cry before.

She lets out a deep sigh. “Mitch has been offered a promotion in Dallas. It’s a lot more money and would be better for our family,” she utters quickly.

“Oh. So, what does that mean for you?” I whisper, not sure what to say. She loves this little flower shop. It’s been her baby since way before I started here.

Her eyes meet mine, all teary. Shit. I don’t want her to be sad. She’s like a second mom to me. A first in the absence of my own mother. “I have to go with him.” Her words tremble out. “I have to.”

“Oh God. You can’t leave,” I whisper, tears welling in my eyes for her. For me. I can’t even imagine this town without her in it.

She takes my hand. “We both know I have to, Paisley. I love this place, but my marriage is the most important thing to me. I’m telling you first because I wanted to give you the opportunity to buy the place if you’re interested, before I list it.”

My eyes go wide, and my heart kicks up a beat. “Me, own Wild Magnolia?” Running my own business has never crossed my mind. I glance around the beautiful store, taking it all in with fresh eyes. Could I?

She smiles softly. “You would be the best person to take over this place. You know it inside and out.” She hands me the papers she’s holding. “The real estate listing. Have a look at it. I won’t list it until you have a good think about it. But hun, we don’t have a lot of time. I move in a month.”

I look from the listing to her, not sure what to do or say. Do I want this? I have some savings but not enough to get close to a deposit on an established business like this, and then there would be rent and utilities to cover as well. I bite the inside of my mouth as I think. “Do you really think I could run this place?” I ask, needing her advice now more than ever before.

“Most days you already do. If this is what you want, I can support you from Dallas. I don’t want this place going to just anyone.”

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