Page 34 of Love in Bloom

“Enjoy the dance and remember to put the corsage back in the box whenever you go outside,” Wren told him.

“OK, I will, and thanks, again,” he said to Wren. “Bye, Coach.”

“It was good catching up with you, Jack. Have fun tonight.” They watched him leave. Cindy was helping the only other customer, so Wren headed to the back room. Miller followed.

“How’d it go?” she asked over her shoulder.

“No tips this time, but I got a few chocolate chip cookies from my old high school English teacher.”

“That’s nice,” she said as she focused on cleaning up the table.

“What do I owe for Jack’s corsage?”

“Nothing.”

“Wren, I’m not stupid. I’ve seen your other corsages and I know what they cost.”

“I didn’t say you were stupid, Counselor, but now we’re even. You were a huge help today.”

“It killed you to admit that, didn’t it?”

Wren wished she could wipe the smug look off his face. “Just a smidge,” she admitted. “I really appreciated your help and all the goodies you fed us. Mark’s already finished and gone home, and I expect Dale back any minute. You’re a free man.”

“I’ll sweep up back here.”

“No. Really, Miller. Just go.” Wren took the broom away from him. The sooner he left the better. She couldn’t afford any more distractions, and Miller was six solid feet of distraction.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Go home and get ready for your hot date.”

“How do you know I have a hot date?” And, just like that, Wren felt her face flush, and she had a case of white-hot envy and green-eyed jealousy.

“I don’t. But it only makes sense. If you didn’t ask someone, then I’m sure someone asked you.” Miller leaned on the counter, ignoring her request to leave.

“How do you figure that?”

“Oh, please, don’t be dense,” Wren begged him.

“I’m not. Enlighten me,” he said, grabbing the broom back from her.

“You’re intelligent, funny, kind, and one of the hottest men in Haven. If there’s a God in Heaven, then some lucky lady has you as her Valentine.” Wren wanted to wash her mouth out with soap as soon as the words had left her mouth.Now, he’ll really be insufferable.

“Can I quote you on that?” Miller stopped sweeping and smiled at her. Was that a dimple peeking out?

“Yes, you can quote me, if you stop sweeping and leave. Now.”

“Don’t you want to know who my hot date is?”

About as much as I want open heart surgery without anesthesia, Wren thought. “Miller, go home, please.” It sounded more like she was begging than ordering, but Wren didn’t care as long as he left. The front door chime jingled with another customer.

Wren stayed up front for the rest of the afternoon. At this point in the day, it was desperate men happy with whatever Wren sold them. She felt sorry for their sweethearts. For all her ex’s faults, he’d never forgotten Valentine’s Day. He’d always sent her two dozen white roses. Never red. He’d said he’d feel bad for the red roses because they’d compete with her beautiful hair and lose. With white, there would be no competition. Wren smiled at the memory. There had been some good in her bad marriage.

Closing time was rapidly approaching. A trio of girls who had just come from getting their hair done picked up the last boutonnieres. Wren admired their updos and then gave each girl some baby’s breath to tuck into their hair.Oh, to be young and dumb, Wren thought wistfully as she flipped over the “Closed” sign and locked the door after them.

Wren stood still and listened. Nothing. No phones. No chattering. No jingling. Total quiet. She took a deep breath and said a grateful prayer. Even without checking the point-of-sale report, she knew today had been a success. For one thing, the coolers were almost empty. Nothing damaged a successful sales day more than having too much leftover inventory. Wren wandered over to the cooler to see what she wanted to bring upstairs with her to her own apartment.

She should have offered flowers to Trouble. She’d made the offer to Mark and Dale, but both men had turned her down. Mark had joked Cindy would skin him alive if he showed up with flowers.

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