Page 24 of Just Another Chance

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she answers.

“I have to explain what happened.”

“Tanner, just pick what color daisies you want and go. Please,” she begs me.

“Only if you promise to talk to me.”

“Fine,” she answers quickly.

It’s clear she wants me to leave, but it’s the last thing I want to do. “Okay,” I relent.

“Okay what? What color?”

“What color do you like best?”

“They’re your flowers, Tanner,” she says in frustration. “You pick.”

“But I’m going to give them to you, so I want you to like the ones I choose.”

With a huff, Addie points to the white ones just like I knew she would. I go into the cooler, pick up the whole damn bucket and walk back out.

“What’re you doing?” she asks.

“Buying all of them. Gotta vase?”

“Oh, my God, you’re crazy!” she exclaims with an exasperated sound.

Crazy for you.Some things never change, I realize. Smiling, I plunk the big bucket of daisies on the counter. She looks at me like I’m not serious, but I’m completely serious. I reach for my wallet. “How much do I owe you?” I ask.

She blinks then goes off in search of a large vase. I lean a hip against the counter and watch her move around, opening cupboards and looking on shelves. It’s completely insane how much I’ve missed this woman and now that I’ve found her again, I am never letting her go. And I don’t care what it takes. I’m going to do everything in my power to win her back.

Addie spends a few minutes cutting the stems and arranging the daisies in the vase in the work area. While she does that, I reach for a complimentary card and scrawl a message out to her. When she returns with the flowers, I hand her my credit card.

She eyes me strangely as she rings me up and swipes the card. As though she still can’t quite believe I’m standing right here in front of her. I get it because I’m feeling the exact same way. At any moment, I wouldn’t be surprised if I wake up alone in my bed. This dream seems too perfect.

After I sign the credit card slip, Addie takes the receipt, and I can’t stop looking at her. “Do you work tomorrow?” I ask.

She nods. “Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm.”

I tuck the card in the flowers. “I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I say.

“What?”

“I plan on buying you more flowers. Every day from today until forever.” With a wink, I turn and head toward the door feeling lighter than I’ve felt in two years.

“Tanner!” she calls out.

I glance over my shoulder and arch a brow.

She opens her mouth to say something then closes it and frowns. “My break is at 2.”

Elation floods me and a huge smile curves my mouth. “See you at 2 then.”

At exactly 2pm the next day, I arrive at the flower shop. Addie quickly introduces me to Heather, the very curious owner.

“Where do you want to go to lunch?” I ask her as we walk out the front door.

“I don’t have time for lunch, and this isn’t a date,” she warns me in a serious tone. “It’s just a quick 30-minute break.”

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