Page 86 of How Sweet It Is

“I know, but you know her parents’ business, right? Can’t you call that?”

“All I know is they own a flower shop in Cincinnati. There are way too many to call them all. I checked.”

“How many is too many? You could totally start calling them. Why haven’t you?”

The pain threatens to become unbearable. “Because. She doesn’t want me,” I say quietly.

“Dude, I saw the way she looked at you at the wedding. Shewantsyou.”

I exhale, frustrated that Micah isn’t getting it and that I have to spell it out for him. “Not enough to leave Cincinnati. Her parents’ business is more important to her.”

“Did you tell her you love her?”

“No.”

He frowns, shoving his hands into his pockets. “You wimp. You totally love her. Why didn’t you tell her that?”

I set my jaw. “Because. She doesn’t love me back.”

“That’s a lie.”

“I don’t think so. You weren’t there when I asked her to come back after things were settled. She basically said no.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “What were her exact words?”

“I told her I’m not asking for forever, that all I wanted was a maybe. She said, and I quote, ‘I don’t know if I can promise that.’ And when I practically begged her to come back, she said, ‘I’m sorry.’ That’s it. Her next words were ‘I have to go,’ and then she left.”

“Wait,” my brother says, holding up a hand. “You told her you’re not asking for forever? You said those words?”

Irritation zings through me. “How many times do I have to say it? She doesn’t want me. She left.”

“Right. But you basically told her all you want is a fling. Come on, Levi. How many girls have you dated? Do you think tellingher you don’t want forever is going to make her want to come back to you?”

I stand there, stunned. “I thought she didn’t want commitment.”

He shakes his head. “Dude, you’re dumb. What woman doesn’t want commitment? You think all she wants is a maybe from you? That she’d move away from her family just so you can string her along like every other girl you’ve dated?”

He’s right. I’m dumb. I thought I was trying to convince her to come back, but I said all the wrong things. I scrub a hand down my face. “You’re right.”

He claps me on the shoulder. “Tomorrow, go find her. Get her back. But dude, shower first, okay?”

I nod. My little brother is right. I need to find Claire so I can tell her how committed I am to her. So I can tell her I can’t live without her. I need to tell her I’m in love with her and I’m willing to give her forever.

I need to get her back.

CHAPTER 42

CLAIRE MATTHEWS — TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

I’m trimming stems, listening to “A Whole New World” on my Disney playlist because I am wallowing in self-pity, and all I can think about is that dance I shared with Levi as Skyler giggled and jumped up and down around my living room. My eyes sting, but I blink fast, refusing to cry. Again.

The shop is quiet, the air heavy with the scent of the wilting roses and baby’s breath I haven’t had a chance to throw out. The counter is a mess, half-finished centerpieces for the Wilson wedding and unpaid invoices beneath them. I’ve been trying to hold it all together, but nothing feels enough. The Wilson wedding was the priority, and I haven’t had time to get much else done.

The bell on the door jingles. I flinch, turning just as my mother steps inside, purse clutched in the crook of her arm like a badge of authority.

“You’re not done with the centerpieces?” she asks, frowning. “I thought you’d be done, considering how little else you’ve managed to accomplish today.”

I straighten, pruning shears clenched in my hand. “I’m trying to catch up. Things are a disaster here. I’m cutting stems to try to save some of these flowers, but a lot of this needs to be tossed.”

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