Page 40 of Accidentally in Bloom

“Sorry,” Rose sent him an apologetic smile.

Aaron had practically lived with them in high school, and Rose considered him a fully-fledged member of the Parker family. He co-owned and ran the shockingly trendy café and bistro with his husband, Nick. Low lights flickered on the table between them, illuminating Aaron’s brown skin and curious smile.

Aaron settled back in his chair. “Problems with the business?”

“Oh, you know. Just the usual. Yelling at my business partner and him swearing he’ll never set foot in the store again. Normal adult stuff.” She smiled at Aaron with the look of long-time friendship.

Aaron chuckled with a knowing grin. “I can’t count the number of times Nick and I fought before we opened this place.”

Nick walked to their table with a vegan tortellini to-go order Vi would take home to Lily. “Yeah, and if you’re not careful, you’ll end up marrying your business partner like I did.” Nick smiled down at Aaron and kissed him squarely on the mouth.

Rose loved how happy they both were. She wanted that type of confident love but knew it would never be in the cards for her. Aaron and Nick were adorable and perfectly suited for each other. She, on the other hand, was a stressed-out, bossy, short-tempered hellcat, apparently.

Who could stand to love her?

“I think I’m safe. I’d honestly rather punch him than kiss him.”

“It was bad. They yelled so loud I could hear them from inside the cooler,” Violet grimaced.

Aaron sent her the same look back and sipped his wine glass. “Shocker.”

“What do you mean ‘shocker’?” Rose nudged his foot under the table and sent him a scowl. “I’m a goddamn delight.”

“You are lovely dear, but you also have a particular way of doing things, and so does Gray. He’s a nice dude, but it’s his way or the highway.”

“I wish he would take the highway away from me.” Rose reached over to squeeze Aaron’s hand. “This was delicious, as always. You are a magician and a saint, and I’m very glad you put up with us.”

“Want a cookie for the road?”

“No, I’m stuffed.” Rose patted her stomach. “I had three already today.”

“We appreciate your business.” Aaron stood up and gave them both a hug.

“I think we would be emaciated skeletons if your food wasn’t so delicious and only two doors down from us.” Rose gave him a smacking kiss on his cheek.

“You can repay me by taking a photo the next time Gray bends over.” He sent Rose a cheeky wink.

After saying goodbye, Violet and Rose walked arm in arm to the store. She wasn’t sure if it was the two glasses of wine at dinner or the twinkle lights strung through the trees along the sidewalk, but something felt so comforting about walking along the streets she knew so well.

“I need to do a little bit more before I go home. Go ahead. I can walk.” It was only a four-block walk back to Violet’s cottage, and Rose wanted time alone to process the day.

“You sure?” Violet unlocked the door and held it open for Rose.

“I can handle the mean streets of Fairwick Falls, Vi.” Rose ran a hand over her sister’s mass of curly hair. They were in their 30s, but Rose still felt a fierce need to protect her. “I’ll be home in a little bit.”

Violet had been pulling double duty, working a full-time landscaping design job, and putting in every extra hour at Bloom to get it ready. Dark purple circles were underneath her eyes, and Rose wanted to protect her as much as possible. Violet sent her a sleepy wave and headed to her car.

Rose examined the chaotic but happy store. It’s coming together. Boxes lay everywhere beside half-finished projects, but Lily was almost done with the floral wall. Plus, it no longer smelled or looked like a Russian prison.

Maybe they’d pull this whole thing off yet.

Rose pushed the argument with Gray out of her head and focused on the positive. They were on track, they were on budget, and she pulled out her GTFOOFF To-Do List, with only a few more things left to close out the estate.

Rose walked to the back room to start clearing space for the new coolers being delivered tomorrow. She worked off the stress of the day, doing whatever came next on her list.

Before she knew it, hours passed, and all the other shop lights on the town square had turned dark.

As Rose walked to the register, the shop phone rang, and Rose grabbed it without thinking.

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