Page 70 of Wild Flower

“Ignore the party pooper,” Mason says to us. “Who’s going to test out my new Cue-Cum-in-herDaiquiris?” He emphasizes the word cum and points to the swirls of whipped cream that top the drink. “You get it? Cucumber?” He laughs at his own drink name. “I bet the lady wants one!” Mason puts the taster in front of me. “Let’s see if she likes to spit or swallow.”

“I think you better back off,” Archer says territorially, and Mason just laughs, completely unphased.

“You obviously haven’t been to the Lava before,” Mason says, putting the rest of the whipped cream-dolloped daiquiris in front of us. “Didn’t you read the drink menu when you came in? The dirtier the drink names, the better.” Mason smirks at me. “And obviously the tag line for this one is fantastic.”

Archer continues to frown, putting an arm around me and waiting for Mason to back off. Even Finn scoots a little closer to me as they both tell Mason with their eyes that they will unalive him if he comes any closer. I have to admit, it’s pretty hot.

“Hey,” Mason raises his hands innocently. “I’m not trying to break up whatever this threesome is.” Connor’s eyes snap up at that, and I feel my cheeks heating as his eyes narrow in our direction. “You two can fight for who gets to cue-cum-in-her first and second.”

“Mason!” Connor snaps. “Kitchen, now.” Connor points toward the building.

“I’m just workshopping my shtick here,” Mason complains.

“And I’m making sure you don’t have to go to the hospital after these two make sure you never cum in anyone ever again. Now, piss off!” Connor warns.

“No one needs to chop off my dick,” Mason replies, backing up toward the patio door. “But try the drinks, and let me know if you’dcumback for more.”

“Thin ice!” Connor scolds, and Mason laughs walking into the bar unphased by the two men flanking me.

Connor eyes the three of us. He’d have to be blind to not realize we’re an item, and I’m not sure how to deal with it. This is how the “normal” world is going to react to us as a throuple. We’re the oddly-shaped peg that doesn’t fit.

I shrug off Finn and Archer, and point at the contract in Connor’s hand, trying to keep us focused. “So? What’s the verdict?”

“Donotsign that,” Connor says, handing the papers back to me. “Half of it is phrased so poorly it borders on illegal.”

“Right,” I mumble, my eyes crossing at the confetti of post-it notes he’s put on the papers. “What do you suggest? My business depends on having this plot of land to grow my flowers on.”

“Thatplot of land?” Connor asks. “Oranyplot of land?”

“That’s what I suggested,” Archer chimes in, dropping his hand to my thigh. “You should find an alternate location.”

“I guess,” I say weakly. “That’s just …”

My neck feels tight and the green-slime Mason left makes my stomach nauseous just looking at it. I shouldn’t have such a visceral reaction to the idea of moving my farm, but moving feelsbig.

Too big.

“Is that the only option?” I ask, lifting the papers. “Don’t sign this and move?”

“Don’t sign that!” Connor repeats, glaring at me to make sure I don’t ignore his advice and do it anyway. “If you’re even considering keeping your current location, that contract needs to be rewritten. We’d need to set up a meeting with your mom and renegotiate.”

“We?”

“Well, legally, you should hire my brother Ned who’s licensed and will do everything by the book.”

“Is he expensive?”

“Yes,” Connor says bluntly, and my hands start to sweat. “But I might be able to get him to do it as a favor, but here’s what you need to do: First, you need to get all your financials in line and see what you can actually afford. If you need help with that, Simon at Flambé is a wizard with a spreadsheet. You could probably convince him to trade his services for flower arrangements in the restaurant. Second, see if another plot of land is available and what it would cost to relocate. That way, you know if you’re backed into a corner and what kind of leverage you have.”

I nod and don’t say anything, overwhelm churning in my head like a clothes washer twirling. Finn’s hand finds my back, softly comforting.

“I don’t know what your relationship is with your parents,” Connor continues, “butthatis trouble.” He points at the papers. “As someone who’s estranged from his parents, that contract is a power move. And your power move is to come back armed with knowledge. Find out the market rate for a farm of your size. See how many alternate lots are available. See if you can source an alternate farm during a transition if it comes to that.”

I use the papers to fan my face. “Okay,” I say weakly.

“Look,” Connor leans in, “it seems like your business is dependent on your parents’ generosity. They obviously know that from the way this contract is written. I understand I’m laying a lot on you right now, but the best thing you can do is make your business sustainable without them. Otherwise, this contract will just be the beginning. I’ll call Simon and my brother and have them set up meetings with you. This is going to get harder before it gets easier, but if you love this business and want to keep it, you need to do everything in your power to protect it.”

“Of course.” I nod. “Thank you.”

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