Page 130 of Crazy In Love
Because I did love her.
But if I told her my feelings, she’d have more expectations.
A future that I wasn’t sure I was capable of.
I would most likely break Emilia Taylor’s heart.
Her mother knew it.
I knew it.
And apparently, everyone in town knew it.
Emilia was the only one who didn’t.
thirty-six
. . .
Emilia
I’d just been goingthrough the motions the last few days. Finishing the renovation at Bridger’s house meant that I was back at the flower shop full-time, but the good news was that word had traveled fast, and I was getting a lot of interest from new clients.
Bridger had left a few days ago for a business trip in New York, though he’d said he was determined to be back for Valentine’s Day, because he knew it was one of my favorite holidays.
With him being gone, I could work late and get caught up here at the flower shop, so I was keeping busy.
I had several meetings over the next few weeks, which I was excited about. I’d added photos from his house renovation to my portfolio, and I finally felt like a legitimate designer. I was proud of what I’d done there.
My mother and I hadn’t spoken since the big blowup. My brother came by Bridger’s home the following day with Shana, and he apologized profusely. He’d shared that he’d been uncomfortable with the arrangement for a while now, but he was afraid to rock the boat by telling me.
My father had come by the Vintage Rose to see me yesterday, and though he’d apologized for the way everything had been handled, he said he didn’t want to get involved. The flower shop was my mother’s family’s business, and he thought it would be overstepping for him to make demands.
The only person who had ever stood up to my mother on my behalf was Bridger.
He was furious when we’d left that night. He thought I should demand ownership or quit the business completely.
I agreed with him, though I wasn’t ready to draw a line in the sand. I liked what I’d built here. I just didn’t want to work full-time at the flower shop, and I felt I deserved some ownership. Hell, my brother lived in a different state, and he had ownership. I’d poured my heart into the damn place.
I smiled when a woman I didn’t recognize—which meant she was most likely a tourist—knocked on the outside window and gave me a thumbs-up. My Valentine’s Day display was my favorite yet. I’d created hearts built out of faux florals, and I’d used the pages of my new favorite romance book by Hannah Chase to make garland that I strung across the opening. It was whimsical and romantic and had all the vintage vibes I loved.
Valentine’s Day was a few days away, and we were already swamped here.
“The Honey Biscuit Café just called in an order for twenty-five small arrangements,” Beatrice said as she walked out from the back room. “Edith said she trusted you to design them and just make them pretty. She’d like to pick them up the day before Valentine’s Day so they can have them out that morning.”
I adjusted the garland in the window and made my way behind the counter. “Amazing. The next few days are going to be very busy.”
“Yes, but we’ve totally got this,” Beatrice said when I came around the counter to stand beside her.
“We totally do.”
We spent the next few hours placing orders for the final flowers we’d need for our arrangements, which would arrive tomorrow, and we’d be able to get started designing.
Peonies, roses, and hydrangeas were my go-to this season, and I was excited to create something fun for Edith and Oscar.
The bell rang on the door, and an older woman walked in. She glanced around, making it clear she’d never been here.
“Hi, welcome to the Vintage Rose. May I help you?”
