Page 48 of Accidentally in Bloom

She was avoiding him. Oh god, was he the Amber in this situation?

“We won’t...” he pointed at the truck where he had just taken her mouth and half his sanity. “This is just so you can learn the business.”

You crafty motherfucker. Was it possible to lie to both Rose and himself?

She considered him. “I’ll see if I can pencil it in our schedules.” Her lips were still bee-stung from where his lips had taken them, and he would give everything he owned to haul her fireman-style into his truck and finish what he’d started.

But instead, he sent her a wave and headed to his truck. Being responsible was pretty fucking stupid.

An hour later, Gray unloaded his usual Tuesday delivery in the back of Cooperstown Florals.

“Hey, Gray,” Allison, the owner, popped her head around the corner. “Everything ready to go?”

“Yep, your usual delivery is loaded in. And I threw in an extra potted plant on the house since you liked them last week.” He sent her a friendly smile. He needed to keep his customers happy, and Frank had taught him that people loved free shit that showed he cared.

“Thanks. You’re the best. Hey, Gray?’

“Yeah?” He paused, going out the door. He had about seventeen million more stops today but always had time for customers.

“I heard things were going well at Frank’s place.”

“Yeah, we’re excited about the redesign. We open in a few weeks.”

Allison smiled. “I’ve always thought Fairwick Falls could use a bigger flower presence. I’m glad his girls are doing something with the shop.”

Gray knew he should probe a little. Allison ran a great floral business. It was tasteful; elegant. Just the kind of thing Rose would love. “You should come by and check it out.”

“I wouldn’t want to intrude. Make it seem like I’m checking competition or anything.” Allison leaned over the counter and sent him a flirty, sparkly smile.

Gray weighed on how to position it. “Rose mentioned she’d love to collaborate with another flower shop in the area. Maybe work together on bigger projects someday.”

There. That should plant the seed.

“I might do that.” She glanced down, hesitating for a moment and worrying her lip. “Do you want to grab dinner with me? Some time?”

Gray blinked a few times, completely blindsided.

“Um, I’m sorry. I’m...” Gray searched for the words. Dry humping my business partner semi-regularly? “...not dating at the moment. But thanks for the offer.”

Allison smiled sheepishly, blushing. “You can’t blame a girl for trying. Let me know if anything changes.” She sent him another mega-watt smile.

He waved as he walked through the backdoor out to his truck.

Allison was an objectively beautiful woman. She had long legs, pretty long blonde hair, a great rack, and was smart and easy to talk to.

And I couldn’t care less. Maybe he’d been waiting this whole time for someone who could challenge him. Could drive him crazy with her demands and drive him wild with her touch.

Gray stopped in his tracks on his way back to his truck. Goddamnit. He slammed the door as he climbed back into the cab. He let out a rage-filled yell and hit the steering wheel.

Rose Fucking Parker had ruined him for other women, and she wasn’t even his.

Yet.

Chapter

Thirteen

ROSE

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