Page 91 of Wild Flower

I’m so proud of him.

I’m proud of myself, too. Miranda got the university to hire us for this event and there are Birds of Paradise flower arrangements throughout the gallery. But I’m also proud of the woman in Finn’s images. He captures a piece of me that I’ve been afraid of for so long: a woman who is free and has no inhibitions. I’m unapologetically me in these photos—in Archer’s arms, in Finn’s lens.

“Holy shit, Becca you’re on fire!” I turn to find Arie and Connor walking through the crowd. Arie’s decked out in a 50s pinup dress with a similar silhouette to the one I’m wearing. Only, Arie’s dress is neon pink, making it hard for her to not draw attention. There’s a suggestive smirk on her face as she points to Finn’s photographs. “I thought the Flambé shoot was hot, but girl, someone’s got a new career.”

I blush. “Thanks for coming. Finn really appreciates your support.”

“And look at this dress!” Arie continues to gawk. “You need to tell me where you shop. I’m getting mad jealous.”

“If you haven’t noticed,” Connor says with a playful eye roll, “Arie enjoys being the center of attention. You’re either about to become her best friend or her arch nemesis.”

“Friend, I hope.”

“That depends,” Arie sasses. “Can you cook?”

“Not on my life. Green thumb,” I remind her, pointing to the flowers on my arm. “I’m a disaster with an oven.”

“Good,” Arie concludes. “Friends it is. Plus, Simon’s going to give you a call about doing a weekly Flambé flower arrangement, something for the front entrance that’s wild and inspired, just like you.”

My smile brightens. “I love that idea!”

“There’s definitely been an uptick in Flambé business since the new ads rolled out. Hopefully, it’s given you a bump as well.”

It has—at least a small one—but there isn’t time to tell Arie that because she’s already on to the next topic of discussion.

“Now tell me about this.” Arie points to the image of me and Archer against the window. “There’s a whole motion effect, but I’m pretty sure that’s my employee’s ass in that photo?”

I wince. “It’s open to interpretation.”

“Don’t bait Arie,” Connor warns. “You don’t want to know what this woman imagines.”

“Becca doesn’t need my imagination,” Arie sasses. “She’s the one getting it on against that window.”

I blush profusely, Arie’s voice echoing through the busy room. Still, I decide to stand proud, despite all the eyes turning in my direction.

“Yes, that is my ass in the photo,” a deep voice confirms, two warm hands falling on my shoulders from behind. I pull Archer’s arms further around me and ignore the crowd that’s started to whisper. I swear, I even see Finn’s classmate on the far side of the room with a suspicious scowl. “If you can call that blurry dark shape an ass,” Archer adds.

“Well, the images are all veryinvigorating,” Arie says with an eye-flare for dramatics. “Life post-cancer really has you carpe-diem-ing to the max, now doesn’t it, Archer?”

The arms around me tense. Is Arie talking about Archer’s sister? How does she even know about that? He barely told me about it. Is he confiding in his boss now?

“Are you talking about Archer’s sister?” I ask, and Arie tilts her head.

“No,” she says, blinking her eyes in confusion. “I’m talking about Archer, the one living life to the max in these photos.”

“Hey, Finn’s right over there,” Archer says in my ear. “We should go congratulate him on—”

“Wait, you said cancer,” I ask Arie, not understanding the look on her face. “His sister’s the one who had the scare, so why—?”

“No, she isn’t.” Arie says abruptly, frowning like I’ve got my wires crossed. “Archer’s the one who’s in remiss—” But then she stops, cutting a look to the man at my back. “Oh fuck, you didn’t tell her?”

My body goes cold. He didn’t tell me what?

I try to turn, but he hugs me tighter against his chest.

“What is she talking about, Arch?” My confusion escalates when he doesn’t say anything, and my fingers start to fumble with his vice-like grip.

“Archer, really?” Arie curses. “Look at those photos. Are you telling me you two aren’t close enough that you’ve told her—”

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