Page 14 of Grumpy Girl and Amaryllis

“Oh, Mar, yeah. I strive to be half as amazing as you because I also know you’re going to be a kickass aunt, too.” She smiles and rubs her stomach.

My jaw drops as I float my eyes to her smirk and her burgeoning tummy, back up to her smirk.

“No way!”

“Yes way!”

I start jumping in excitement and grab my sister in a tight hug. This is the news I needed today—this pure joy and delight with no strings attached. She’ll be a great mom, too. Like me.

“Congratulations, Sis.” I pull her in tighter.

Cali smiles and leans away from me, staring me in the eyes. “Now, what do you want?”

The question of the century.

What do I want?

Croix

I finished cleaningup the classroom, as all the students were picked up, and I got some peace from the day. The closer we are to Christmas, the crazier they get. And I love it.

Standing by the windows, I look out, and the first fall of snow this season comes down. It’s beautiful, and when it sticks, it washes away all the ugliness for a while.

My desk has the amaryllis, and it finally bloomed. It’s gorgeous, the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen, with red and white stripes and big bell blooms. It has a long stem, and the flower showcases its sexy and sweet nature. Who knew a flower could be so sexy?

But every time I look at it, I see Mari. If I were ever to name her as a flower, it would be this beauty.

I glance around the room one last time to make sure everything is picked up and eye Ash’s and Iris’s name tags on their desks. Irritation and anger still fester at the fact their father tried to get them removed from my classroom. Luckily, he had nothing damaging to report, and since I fought for them to stay, they are still my students.

Appreciation fills me with that knowledge because they are amazing kids, and they are that way because of their mother. With her by their side, they will go places and be people to admire.

Ready to leave, I grab my bag and decide I’ll swing by Sip Happens and grab some food before heading home. Cooking hasn’t been a priority as of late. I still get my daily workouts in, but I’ve been doing more yoga and meditation.

But cooking isn’t the same without that special person there to enjoy the meal with. Too much time has gone by, and I’m not going to let this fade away, but I know I need to pace myself. Driving to her house won’t help. Texting her would be an abuse of my power for having the parents’ information. I’m just living for the hope that she’ll come around.

There’s a knock on my door, and a head pops in with a bobbed haircut.

“Do you have a minute?” she asks and my heart thumps hard in my chest.

I swallow.I have a lifetime for you.

“Sure.” I put my bag down and stuff my hands in my pockets. They need to be contained, or I will reach for her, and I don’t want to ruin any opportunities at this point. I also have to remember this might not go the way I want it to. That possibility almost takes me down to my knees.

I give myself a small token and kiss her cheek but pull back quickly before letting her floral scent hinder me from being delirious and ravishing her right here on my desk.

“Great to see you, Mari.”

“Same, Croix.”

She fiddles with her purse over her shoulder, and when she looks up at me, she spots the Amaryllis and walks over to it. A sweet smile peeks out on her face.

“Oh, my God, it’s gorgeous.” She looks back and the setting of the snow behind her is almost too much for me not to go to her and wrap her up.

“I agree.You’regorgeous.” I never said I wasn’t going to compliment her and say what was on my mind. I’m only refraining from the physical contact as I crave and need.

She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I meant the flower.”

I cock my head and devour her. “And I meant you.”

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