Page 72 of Accidentally in Bloom

She knew this was coming; she’d seen people do this.

She tentatively placed her hands on his sides. As he took off into the street, panic rose in Rose’s throat, and she gripped him like a lifeline. His back shook as if he was laughing. Jerk.

It was a warm day in April, but Rose felt chills as the wind whipped around them, driving through Fairwick Falls. He made a slow meandering pass through the cute historic cottage neighborhood where Violet lived and rounded the corner through the town square.

“Aren’t we going the other way?” she yelled up at him as they paused at a stop sign.

“Pop bet me apple pie pancakes I couldn’t get you on the bike, and I had to show him proof.” He revved his engine twice and took off around the town square, going by Canon’s Diner.

Rose traced her teeth with her tongue and shook her head. This guy. She saw heads poke out the diner door, and one of the servers waved at them. “Oh my god,” she said under her breath. Rose’s cheeks were flaming red under the helmet.

He turned over his shoulder as they stopped at the single stop light in town, waiting for it to turn green. “Don’t worry. I’ll share them with you.” Rose poked him in his very firm abs, and he chuckled as he took off.

After she got used to the shock of being out in the open (how was this even legal?), she realized she liked the feeling of wind whipping around her. She liked molding herself to Gray and forgetting everything that lay on the other side of the ride. The landscape of the countryside flew past, and Rose felt like she was seeing it for the first time.

The heat from the bike and his body throbbed through her as they drove down the country lanes to their first stop. This is like riding an oversized vibrator.

Rose was thankful when Gray pulled into a gravel driveway because she’d lose her mind if they’d kept going.

Gray cut the bike’s engine, and silence rang out over the acres of flowers. Their first stop was at the Jeffries Family Farm, which was doing a booming online business.

They pulled off their helmets, and Rose hopped off the bike.

“How was your first ride?” Gray sent her a knowing smile as he swung his leg over the bike.

“I told you I’d ridden before.”

“Your panicked death grip told me otherwise.”

“You’re such a baby.” She combed her hair back into place with her fingers.

Gray patted his torso. “I’m only now getting blood back into my organs.”

She shoved his arm as she smiled at him. “You drive like a madman, but it wasn’t scary in the least.” I am such an excellent liar.

“Just thought it was maybe time for you to let loose and enjoy the ride rather than only focusing on the destination.”

Their feet crunched on the rocky gravel surrounding the farm. Customers wandered the fields picking out brightly colored tulips and enjoying the spring day. Rose was overwhelmed by the shades of crimson, bright lemon yellow, and green in the hilly acres surrounding her.

“Wow.” She let out a quiet breath.

“Great, right?” His face was peaceful as he gazed over the fields. “Andre,” Gray called suddenly, sending a hand up. “I met the owner at a poker game your dad hosted, but I’ve never been here.” A tall, black man with horn-rimmed glasses and a baseball cap sent him a wave and meandered over.

“Roberts. Here to pay me that fifty bucks you lost last game?” He smiled as he walked over, grabbing Gray’s hand in a firm shake and doing that bro-hug thing that men did.

“Didn’t you see my Venmo?” Gray responded, smiling.

“The one that said, ‘This is’ followed by a horse and shit emojis?” Andre laughed with Gray.

Seemed like Gray was friends with everyone. How did he do that?

“Andre, this is my friend, Rose.”

“Business partner,” Rose corrected, putting her game face on. Andre’s eyebrows shot up.

“Frank’s daughter,” Gray said suddenly.

“Oh shit. Man, your dad was the best. I’m sorry for your loss.” He grasped Rose’s hand with both of his.

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