Page 30 of All Dressed Up

Pathetic puppy that he was.

“So, what were you all doing?” he asked, more than a bit curious.

“Well...” she started but immediately broke eye contact and began fiddling again with the pink and purple arrangement on her work table.

He wasn’t sure exactly what type of flowers they were. His petal knowledge was limited to roses, daisies, and sunflowers.

And he couldn’t remember the last time he’d given a woman flowers—other than his mom annually on Mother’s Day.

“I had this idea for you,” Rachel began, picking up a pair of scissors and opening the blades. “Donovan thought it was brilliant. Adam loved it but wasn’t sure the original owner would fully cooperate.” She pulled out a flower from the front of the display and trimmed its stem, tucking it back into the arrangement, reaching for another. “When Bethany came over, she thought I was a bit nuts—okay, totally bonkers—but she rolled up her sleeves to lend a hand anyway. Um... it really is a great idea. It’ll work. At least I think so...”

Will grinned as she continued to talk in circles. He’d never seen her this tongue-tied about anything. Rachel Foster had a confident word to say on just about every subject.

But not this morning. It was kind of cute. Adorable really. He reached for the flower in her hand. “So, you all did something last night...”

“We did...” Her beautiful blue eyes locked with his, and he was pretty sure time stopped.

“That involves me?”

“Yes.”

He tapped the back of her hand with the flower. “How about you tell me about this big idea?”

“Right! The idea.” She waved for him to follow her. “Come see.”

What the devil was she up to? He pushed the flower through the bouquet and joined her.

Rachel swung open the back door and started to climb the rickety, wooden stairs. “You’ll need a temporary space to run the Belle Bridal Boutique, right?”

“Um... yeah. I mean, I was going to just set up camp at my parents’ place.” He raked his hand through his hair. The last thing he wanted to do was work out of their home. He liked being downtown where he could enjoy a BBB Burger at the Star Lite for lunch, get underneath a hood at the auto body shop with his brother when he needed to do something more manly than selling wedding dresses, or hang out after work with his buddies from the Volunteer Fireman’s Department over a cold beer.

His parents lived five miles from the center of town on a dirt road. Working out of their living room would be a snooze fest. He’d do it, but he’d hate the isolation, never mind he’d have to make his lunches.

“I’ve got a much better place. You can work here.”

That offer surprised him. He let out a chuckle. “That’s sweet, Rach, but your shop is kind of small.” He paused and rubbed his arms. “And nippy.”

“Not down there, silly.” She laughed and stopped at the top landing. “Up here.” She continued to explain her plan, her hand resting on a door handle, and she opened it slightly. “So, Bethany’s parents and I share the space behind this door. It’s never really been used for more than storage, but it’s perfect for you to set up shop.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

“You want me to work up here?” he asked to make sure he was understanding what she was saying.

“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “I mean... only if you want to.”

In the same building as you?That wouldn’t be a hard sell. “Maybe I should see the space first. Inspect for rodents,” he teased. He was touched by her generosity, but given their hot and cold relationship over the past year, he suspected her brother might have put her up to it.

Donovan’s encouragement or not, he was still intrigued.

“Okay, close your eyes,” she ordered.

“That’s really not how an inspection works.”

“Just do it. I need to let the mice know our guest has arrived,” she teased back.

Amused, he did what he was told. Truth was he’d do anything she asked of him. “What happens now?”

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