Page 87 of I Want You
I grabbed a few more sweaters and some other necessities, including some pads and tampons. I knew Luke wouldn’t blink an eye at the feminine products in his bathroom. I hadn’t started my period yet, and I hadn’t been paying attention to the dates of my last cycle, but I knew it should be right around the corner, so it was better to be prepared.
On my way back to Luke’s, I decided to make an impromptu detour.
Daisy Days’ hand-painted open sign hung in the window. The display cases in the front were filled with beautifulautumn colors of rich golds, deep reds, and even some warm blues.
The bell above the door chimed when I walked in. Daisy’s long black hair swished as she turned around to greet me.
“Scarlett!” she squealed. “Where have you been?”
I laughed at her excitement. “Daisy, it’s only been like two weeks.”
“Three. It had to have been three weeks since I saw you last.”
A smile stretched across my face. Daisy was so full of energy and positivity. I should have come here sooner rather than waste three days rotting on my couch. It would have instantly cheered me up.
“Okay, maybe it’s been three weeks. Sorry. I guess I’ve been busy.”
She stopped working, snipping back the dead twigs and leaves from her display pieces, and met me with a hug.
“What’s been keeping you away?”
“More like who,” I said.
Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed in offense. “Who’s stopping you from coming here?”
“Oh, no,” I said. Now that I heard it back, I could see why she would be upset by that. “I just meant that I’ve been seeing someone, so I’ve been a little busy lately.”
“Oh, well, that’s way more exciting. Who is it? Is he from around here? Do I know him?”
I was trying so hard not to blush, but I could feel the heat racing to my face at her inquisition.
“Yeah, you know him. I’ve been seeing Luke,” I said. “Wilder.”
Daisy’s mouth fell open, her hands coming up to her facelike Macaulay Culkin inHome Alone. She squealed so high I thought the windows were going to break.
“I’m so excited for you. We need to celebrate. That’s what today’s bouquet will be, a celebration of new love.” She clapped her hands together with pure giddiness.
Her words rattled through my brain, sinking deeply into my soul.
Love.
I was head over heels in love with Luke Wilder.
I smiled at Daisy’s excitement for me. She wiped her hands on her apron that she had tied around her waist and dropped her pruning shears in the large front pocket.
“Okay, I know you don’t like dark colors, too moody, so we can go with some warm pinks and golds, some deep greens—I’m thinking sage, maybe eucalyptus or even acacia.” Daisy was off, heading into the back stockroom, muttering her ideas more to herself than to me. “Are you coming?” she called over her shoulder.
I followed her behind the counter and into the small room where she kept her supplies and inventory. Something about the earthy scent of soil and sweet floral aromas was so soothing for me. It reminded me of growing up in the western part of the state, running amok through the woods without a care in the world.
Nothing like the life I was leading now.
Not only was I without income, but I had also been anonymously threatened and had lost my trust in the institution that had sworn to serve and protect its community.
“Hey, what’s up?” Daisy asked, concern lacing her eyes. “You were smiling one second and frowning the next. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah.” I didn’t want to bring Daisy into my problems, but we had become close during all the time I spent here. Daisy and I started to collect the various pieces that we wanted to work with, her advising me on the flowers and greenery that would go best together and fit the aesthetic I was going for.
“I got fired last week,” I blurted out.
