Page 24 of Love in Bloom

“No.” Miller inspected another painting.

“It’s getting late, and I have an early flower truck to meet.”

“You should tell your friends. About your past. They would want to know and the longer you wait, the harder it will be.”

“I’ll take that under advisement, Counselor.” Her smile softened the words.

“That advice wasn’t coming from a lawyer, but from a friend. We’re friends now, right?” Miller tilted her chin up, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

“I wish I could let myself like you,” she breathed, and Miller heard the longing in her voice. “You’d be so easy to like.” Miller searched her face and saw nothing but raw honesty.

“I wish you’d let yourself like me, too.”

“You’re a good man, Miller Lynch.” Wren tilted her chin up higher and swayed into him as she placed her hand on his shoulder. Miller’s brain remembered the empty bottle of champagne and diverted his lips to her forehead. A good man wouldn’t take advantage of the situation, but at that moment, he wished he was a bad man.

“Good night, Wren.” Miller fled. He trudged over to his SUV in the parking lot behind Wallflowers and brushed off the snow. As he drove home through the silent streets, he couldn’t help but smile. The last time he’d had such an enjoyable evening had been when they’d made their wedding musician tour last month. Spending time with Wren made him happy. She added a spark to his world. Maybe he could add some to hers. “Hey, Siri!”

“Yes, Master of the Universe?” an electronic female voice asked.

“Set my alarm for five-thirty in the morning.”

“OK, I’ve set an alarm for five-thirty AM.” That should give him enough time to shovel Wren’s sidewalk and outside stairs and make it back home for a quick shower before he had his first client.

January

Whydorestroomsalwayshave to be at the end of the hallway?Wren huffed. It didn’t help that she was out of practice in wearing her Christian Louboutin heels. She shortened her stride to help with her balance. Tonight, she’d pulled out all the stops for Haven’s annual bachelor auction. Normally, she avoided these events, but the money went to a good cause and after the holiday season busyness, January was a little boring.

The last thing she needed was to spend her hard-earned money on a man. She’d rather buy oils and canvas, but Krista and London were in the mood to shop. As a financial adviser, Rica had said the return on investment would be too low, so, like Wren, she was just here to mingle and network.

“Another one.” She heard the deep voice and a sizzle shot down her back and into her cramped toes.Trouble?Wren stopped and retraced her steps. She peeked around the solid oak doors, and, sure enough, leaning against a high top was Trouble in a tux.Lord have mercy! He’s a tall drink of water on a hot summer’s day.The server brought his drink and removed his empty glass. He smiled at her and then stared at the drink.

Wren, suddenly parched, forgot the restroom trip and moved toward Miller. He didn’t seem to notice her until she’d boosted herself into the seat across from him.

“Hi,” she said, picking up his lowball glass and draining it. Wren coughed and pounded on her chest before grabbing the cocktail napkin and dabbing her eyes. She’d spent twenty minutes doing her makeup for the evening and she didn’t want to ruin it with raccoon eyes.

“Can I get you a drink?” He sounded irritated.

“No, I think I’m good,” she croaked between the last few coughs. “I think that will hold me for most of the evening. I thought it was Coke, not dark rum!”

“Expensive dark rum.” He sounded madder than a box of frogs.

“Why are you drinking?”

“Was drinking.” Miller frowned and pointed to the now-empty glass. He flagged the server over.

“I’ll buy you another,” Wren offered.

“It probably won’t help.”

“Two Cokes, please,” Wren blurted, wanting the server to leave before Miller changed her order. She sensed something was wrong, and she didn’t know how to handle this conversation. “So, what’s new?” Wren asked, trying to sound casual.

“Not much. How about you?” Miller settled into the chair across from Wren and leaned over the table. The candlelight in the dim bar highlighted the perfect features of his face. Wren studied him as an artist and a woman. The man’s features were perfectly symmetrical and miserable. High flushed cheek bones. Clenched chiseled jaw. Full scowling lips.

His body screamed anger and Wren didn’t buy his casual act for a minute. He’d been a friend to her when she’d “celebrated” her divorce— even if he had left her hungover and branded with the chaste kiss he’d left on her forehead. If not for his clear thinking, she would have kissed him, and then she really would have needed to avoid him—and she owed him the same courtesy tonight.

This was the first time she’d seen Miller since that evening, so she hadn’t had a chance to repay the kindness.

The server returned with their drinks, and Wren paid for them.

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