Page 24 of Bloom and Burn
So, yes, it’s partially because of him giving me the idea, but I also want to do it for myself, because I don’t want to be my mom’s puppet anymore.
The realization washes over me like a cleansing wave. I’ve been building up to it for a while and, well, I guess I just needed the little push that Jack and Emily gave me. Puppet might not be the most accurate word, but it encapsulates my relationship with my parents rather accurately—I don’t want to keep doing what they want and how they want it. I want to be in charge of my own actions and consequences. But I do have to pick my battles, and sadly, this one here I might need to forfeit for now.
“Sure, that’s usually the case, mom,” I concede, giving her a small smile to soften my upcoming disagreement. “But Jack is not like that.”
“He’s made you believe he’s not like that, sweetie. There is a difference.” She gives me another squeeze and scurries over to the drawer with cutlery, my cue that this discussion is over.
Frustration stirs my insides. I hate when she doesn’t listen. Being dismissed because she has it in his mind that I don’t know what I am doing and need her guidance is very toxic. Like, come on, she’s the one that taught me, so can’t she trust me to put that knowledge into practice?
I finish up the beef and excuse myself, explaining I’m going out and won’t be joining them. As I get changed and ready, I toy with the idea of moving away from Estacada if things don’t work out. But the Blooming Orchid is here and university was never something I was interested in, so it’s kind of hard to justify leaving. It doesn’t mean I can’t do it, in fact, it’s probably the easiest way to get the independency I want and convince my parents I don’t need their meddling anymore, but now that I am officially theowner of the Orchid, I’d rather just grit teeth, stay here and fight for what I want. As long as there is still hope, I won’t give up on this.
A text interrupts my thoughts before they can spiral down.
Jack:It’s finally over. I’m alive, just barely. Please feed me junk food after we are done scouting.
A smile slides across my face. I suddenly forget the drama with mom as excitement replaces my annoyance.
Me:I’ll think about it.
Jack:Nooo. I wanna try that spot you suggested. Bo’s? Em and I got dragged into some PR BS this week and couldn’t make it on our own. Pretty please?
When I don’t reply immediately, he sends me an impressive selfie of his charming puppy eyes.
Me:Okay, okay. We’ll go. Just don’t get hangry with me
Jack:You are the best ;). See you in a bit.
My stomach flutters and my chest tightens. I can’t get over how much fun and dorky he is. I love his energy, the way it calms me. It’s truly unexpected, especially considering he’s an actual billionaire. I’ve never thought those specimens could be decent human beings, but Jack and Emily Keller are on a mission to prove me wrong. It makes me wonder if there are others like them, too.
With that thought swirling in my mind, I put on a cream shirt and a pair of light blue jeans. They make my ass look extra sexy. Not that I am trying to seduce Jack or anything—I have no ulterior motives whatsoever. I also haven’t thought even once about the explosive sex we had, promise.
My dick gives a twitch as if to prove how full of shit I am. The truth is, I haven’t been able to stop thinkingabout Jack’s hands on me, the way kissing him felt. I want a repeat, but I’m not entirely sure how to ask for it or if I should. I’ve had time to internalize what happened between us, and even though I’ve calmed down a bit, my crush has only gotten worse. It doesn’t help that he’s nothing like the timid bad-boy wanna-be he was when we were in high school, but a grown-up man determined to do as much good as he can in the world.
Swoon.
I tell my parents I’ll be out all day and head to the Orchid. Since we are starting our recon mission at the bakery near the flower shop, it made sense to meet there and tackle that before we move onto the town center. When I arrive, Emily and Jack are already there. She’s wearing a yellow summer dress with purple ribbons, while he’s donned a pair of snug gray slacks and a pastel pink shirt with rolled-up sleeves. The combinations make their eyes pop, and I can’t help but linger in Jack’s as our gazes meet.
“Hi, Ryan,” Emily pipes up immediately, showing off her pretty smile.
“Hi, you two. I hope this is okay, but if you need to be at the house, we could reschedule?”
I didn’t know when we agreed to do this, but they are having renovation and interior work done at their house. It’s both to freshen it up and make it more accessible to Emily.
“Don’t worry. Josh’s guys are good and know what they are doing. I was only going to babysit them because I had nothing better to do,” she assures me, leading the way to the bakery. “Let’s get going. I haven’t eaten anything since the morning and can’t wait to try Bo’s.”
“Jack, why haven’t you fed your sister?” I whisper as I match his pace.
His lips curve up on one side in that sexy way they do when he’s fighting off a smile. “She is a grown up and therefore capable of feeding herself. “Besides, we were eyeing the extra large burger sets because we wanted to see who can eat it the quickest. The loser has to cook the winner’s favorites for a week. No take-outs allowed.”
Whoa. Talk about a sibling competition. I compare the two—the advantage is clearly in Jack’s favor due to his bigger build.
“I know what you are thinking,” Emily shoots over her shoulder at me. “But don’t let my humble form fool you, Ryan. I hold an extra win over him.”
Jack raises his arms. “Guilty as charged. But I’d like to add that she won only because she cheated last time.” When he turns to me, his expression pleads for me to take his side of whatever he’s about to say. “I am OK with some spicy, but Em went for scorching hot chicken wings knowing my tolerance is not even half of hers.”
“Uh, excuse me? You are the one who said I could pick what we eat. You should’ve specified spicy was excluded. Right, Ryan?”
She does have a point, I suppose. They bicker about it the entire walk to the bakery, which seems to have just finished the lunch rush when we arrive. I called Mr. McMillan yesterday, so he has some stats ready for us when we sit down. He also asks us to share our findings with him, because unlike my mom, he’s willing to relocate if there is a more suitable option for his bakery.
