Page 260 of 7+Us Makes Nine

It all came into focus. Her shop, her business. She had been on a search to honor her mother for years. She doesn’t want anything to deter her from that. And I felt like an ass for being the one to do that.

“I used to just grow flowers in college as a reminder of her. I was a botany major, so I never planned on owning a flower shop. But one day Sasha came to the greenhouse I used at school and bought some flowers. Since then it always felt like I was sharing the memory of my mother or something when I did that.” She explained. Her voice was soft, full of sadness as she talked about her mother.

It became clear how much she missed her.

“That’s why you want the shop to do well.” I said.

“Yeah. But even if it didn’t, as long as I was doing something with flowers. It reminds me of her. I feel close to her.”

I nodded in understanding.

“It’s good that you’ve found a way to be closer to her. I feel like…I got in the way of that.” She drew her brows in as she sat up, looking down at me.

“You didn’t. And I think…I don’t want to let you go, Tristan.”

I smiled wide at her words, but part of me still wondered if she was sure.

“I don’t want to let you go either, Emilia.” I brought her down to me, kissing her firmly.

She pulled away, “I should get to bed. So I can be ready for tomorrow.”

I didn’t want to let her go. Not now. We could set an alarm.

“Stay a little longer, please. I’ll make sure you’re on time.” I pleaded. She thought for a second, eyes wary.

“Okay.”

She stayed with me, showing me just how much she didn’t want to let me go once more before we drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Emilia

The sun was shining in so bright I had to shield my eyes as they adjusted. I barely saw the hotel room last night, but it was beautiful. Definitely not the same as mine. The back of a couch that was golden and looked fit for a queen faced us. Us.

I turned and faced Tristan. I had never seen him asleep before, but he looked so handsome. And tranquil. His lips parted softly with quiet snores. I ran my fingers through his soft hair, tracing the lines of his face and his soft, pull lips. He didn’t even stir.

I seemed to be in heaven before I remembered. The hotel room. The wedding. I glanced at the clock.

Shit!

I was supposed to be up an hour ago! I was out of the bed and in my shirt so fast I was panting by the time I reached my room. I showered in record time.

My dress was simple, a knee length, royal blue dress with a slight stay in it. I barely had time to do my hair, so it just went up in a ballerina bun with some gel. I was so fucking late.

I slipped my heels on and checked my phone from the charger. No one had called me freaking out.

I did call the delivery truck and made sure the flowers were on their way. Forgetting I had woken up late, they were already there waiting on me in the main hall, where the ceremony would take place.

“Good morning.” I feigned smile. I was so hungry and tired.

I stayed up way too late with Tristan. I knew I should have left. Damn it, he convinced me to stay. I told myself not to blame him, I was an adult and I made a decision. But now I knew what decision I had to make.

“Morning,” the guy was nice, smiling at me like I wasn’t an hour late. This was so behind schedule. “Everything is here and unloaded where it should go. Just sign here.” He handed me the electronic signature board and I signed quickly.

I had to get to work.

Most important was the altar. I had two big stone pots where they would stand between. They held an array of pink roses and dahlias. I had been doing this long enough that I could do it right, and still be rushing as much as I was. The pots took about twenty minutes, some

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