Page 46 of Love in Bloom

“Please, for me?” Miller traded the pen in his hand for her hand. “Don’t make me beg.”

Wren laughed. “You already did.” She sighed. “All right.”

Miller turned her hand over and kissed her wrist. Her body responded to the slow caress of his lips. She found it hard to breathe and difficult to think. And from the confident look he gave her when their eyes met, she was sure he’d felt her pulse race.

She would have happily stayed rooted like that in their own little bubble, but reality crashed in. Diane Swanson knocked on the front window and waved. Wren smiled and wiggled her fingers in return but dropped the hey-I’m-happy-to-see-you-too act as soon as Diane was out of sight.

Luckily, they hadn’t been holding hands and Miller hadn’t turned around. He’d been too busy looking at his smart watch. The last thing she needed was Diane to know about her and Miller. He looked up and she gave him a reassuring smile. At least she hoped it was reassuring.

“Thank you. I’ve got an appointment in five, so I need to run.” He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. “Remember to wear something nice,” he told her as he opened the front door.

Wren watched his quick retreat.Nice? Wear something nice?Wren couldn’t believe he’d said that. Didn’t he trust her to make a good impression? Didn’t she have good taste? Every time she thought about it, her blood boiled. It was happening all over again. She was going to a firm event where she’d have to smile and agree with everyone. She’d just need to nod and look pretty. Wren had promised herself she wouldn’t be that person. She wasn’t doing this again!

That evening, Wren combed her closet for something “nice” to wear. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe Miller would finally see what she’d been telling him. She wasn’t good for his career. And maybe this would put an end to their short-term relationship. She’d get over the heartbreak now instead of waiting for it to happen later.

“Hi,beautiful,”Millergreetedher Saturday morning as he strolled into Wallflowers and handed her a to-go cup of coffee.

“Thank you.” Wren reached for the cup. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve got a morning’s worth of work to do waiting for me next door. Let me know if you want me to bring sandwiches over for lunch.” Wren nodded her head as she shifted through the work orders.

“You OK?” he asked.

“Never better,” the ice maiden replied. Wren wished Miller would leave. She felt like a field mouse being studied by a hawk. She was sure he saw her guilty conscience.

“Let’s try it again, but this time with an honest answer,” Miller insisted. Wren sighed. Miller had become an expert at calling out her bull. Usually, she told him the whole truth, but today she couldn’t. He’d get a piece of the truth, but not the whole thing.

“Just tired. Diane ordered additional centerpieces yesterday, which meant I had to get up early this morning and schlep to Minneapolis to pick up the special flowers. And, she added corsages and boutonnieres for the staff. Plus, I need to finish the regular orders for the day, and Cindy wasn’t feeling well, so I told her to stay home.”

“Overall, more business sounds like a good problem,” he pointed out reasonably. Wren wasn’t in the mood to be reasonable.

“Thank you for reframing that, Counselor.”

“All part of being a full-service boyfriend.” Wren choked on her coffee.Boyfriend?!That didn’t sound short term to her.Crap! Crap! Crappidity, crap!She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from saying something stupid.

“So,” he continued when Wren said nothing, “I’ll pick you up around 5:30.”

“Why don’t I meet you there? I won’t be ready by that time, and I don’t want you to be late.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Very sure. If Miller picked her up, he would see the dress. Wren was counting on shock and awe. He needed to see people’s reactions. He needed proof that she wasn’t what he needed. This would force his hand. He would have to break off their so-called relationship, because she didn’t have the will to.

It’s so tight, they’ll be able to see my religion, Wren thought as she shimmied into the shiny gold dress later that day. Even with extra-tight magical shape wear, it was a snug fit. She’d last worn it three years and fifteen pounds ago to a New Year’s Eve party in Knoxville. It was backless with a plunging halter-style neckline and a mid-thigh hem with a front slit on the left. If not for the slit, she didn’t think she’d be able to move.

From the back of the closet, she dug out the shoe box with her favorite Jimmy Choo heels. After being on her feet all day, they didn’t slip on. Wren contemplated switching them out for a lower-heeled shoe, but the outfit wouldn’t have the same zing.

It’s good the party is tonight, Wren reassured herself as she stuffed her feet into the sleek heels. He’d said boyfriend today, who knew what he would say in a few weeks? Nope, this had to end. Tonight would be the beginning of the end of their short-term relationship. Someday he’d thank her for this. He wouldn’t tonight, but someday.

Wren took a final look in the mirror. She’d always hated this dress, but Michael had insisted on it for a New Year’s Eve party at his friend’s house. She didn’t like what she saw. The old Wren stared back at her. The Wren she didn’t respect, didn’t want to be, and thought she’d left in Knoxville with her old life. She grabbed her coat and her clutch and carefully walked down her stairs.

Traffic was heavy, and because of a broken water pipe there was a detour through downtown. Wren cursed her bad luck as she finally pulled into a parking space—the furthest from the door.

Here goes nothin’,Wren thought as she slipped out of her full-length wool coat and handed it to the young lady at the coat check. The girl’s eyes widened in surprise. Wren rubbed the goose bumps on her arms. The venue was colder than her apartment. There wasn’t much to her dress, but at least the material was thick and the bust was lightly padded. She wouldn’t need to add ‘nippy’ to the list of fashionfaux pas.

She stepped into the ballroom. It was a sea of little black dresses and covered shoulders. She would stick out like a three-legged dog in a horse race.This was a stupid idea.I’m going to embarrass both of us.She turned to leave, but a firm, warm hand grabbed her forearm.

“Wow.” Miller appraised her from head to toe, spending more time on some areas than others. “I’ll be the envy of every guy here.” Wren squirmed under his scrutiny as she adjusted a strap and smoothed down the skirt. “Cocktail hour’s almost done,” Miller said through a tight smile. He led her across the room. His hand was warm against the small of her back. “Let’s get something to drink before we mingle.”

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