Page 53 of Accidentally in Bloom

Rose opened the backdoor of the Bloom workroom, already late. Well, late for her, which meant only an hour early before her podcast with Gray started. They’d agreed that he would talk about his expanding farm and the Bloom launch. She mentally cataloged everything she had to do in the next hour: podcast recording set up, check the Wi-Fi...

Rose stopped dead in her tracks as the smell hit her.

It smelled like an honest to god flower shop.

Chills ran down her spine as she took in the workroom full of flowers. The last time she remembered it smelling like this, she was six, her mom was still alive, and the business was thriving.

She closed her eyes, transported by the fresh, herby, spring smell of greenery and the chill that only came when you had coolers full of precious flowers ready to sell. She caught notes of chrysanthemums, roses (of course), some lilies, and the ever-stalwart carnation. She opened her eyes, and it hit her: it smelled like their future.

They were really doing this. They were reopening a flower shop and making it better than the town had ever seen. They had two more days left before the opening on Saturday.

Rose shifted the things in her arms as she clicked around to the main showroom in her heels. She hefted her computer bag, microphone, and headphones through the back room of the shop and heard Lily’s off-key caterwauling.

Lily stood at the counter behind the register, finishing a few arrangements for opening day. Piles of fragrant eucalyptus branches and sweet pea blossoms sat beside her as she scrunched her face in concentration, finishing the floral sculptures.

Rose pitched her voice over the music. “Hey, I think the sign was supposed to come today.”

“Already on it, partner.” Gray’s booming voice sounded around the corner, followed by a power drill. He was on a ladder, marking a spot for their neon sign that had finally arrived.

Lily had finished the focal point in their large showroom with a fake plant backdrop, lots of Violet’s potted houseplants, and a cute chair with floral pillows. Rose imagined friends taking cute selfies in front of it. It was part of her grand plan to make the space not just a simple hometown flower shop but a full experience.

“A little farther up!” Rose called out from where Gray was marking the spot for the sign. It would light up in a bold pink handwritten font, mimicking their official logo.

“You’re welcome!” he called out over his shoulder.

Rose’s mouth watered shamelessly when she spotted Gray’s low-slung tool belt. His tight black t-shirt hugged toned muscles and biceps and went loose around his middle. There was something about that damn tool belt that made him irritatingly attractive.

Heat pulled in her middle, and she tried to drag her eyes away from him.

Lily cleared her throat loudly, and Rose snapped out of her trance. She wiggled her eyebrows at Rose. “See anything you like?”

Rose stuck her tongue out at Lily, giving her a shut-the-hell-up grimace. The sound of the power drill died down. Gray plugged in the neon sign with the bright pink logo on the greenery, and it popped to life.

Rose felt pride blossom inside her. They had made this from nearly nothing. And maybe, just maybe, they might pay off the tax debt, help Violet, and make something special here.

A bittersweet shadow hovered in the back of her head, knowing they’d have to sell the shop they made. But I can’t stay here. What would I do, run a flower shop in Fairwick Falls? I’d lose my mind. I’m meant for bigger in my life.

“It looks great. Thank you.” She sent Gray a warm smile, and their eyes connected.

“Hey, Lily, can I grab one of those Bloom shirts?” Gray ambled over to the stack they’d have for their opening day. “I forgot to bring a change of clothes with me.”

“I bet Rose’s podcast would break a record if you went shirtless.” Lily sent Rose a wink as she handed Gray a shirt.

Gray let out a booming laugh as he grabbed it from her.

She hated that he fit so easily into their tiny sisters-only family. But soon, she wouldn’t have to see him quite so often. The store would be up and running, things were almost wrapped up with the rest of the estate, and he’d be out of her hair for good.

She could finally go back to LA and not think about how his mouth felt against hers or how she craved his smell. She even went so far as clandestinely smelling men’s shampoos in the grocery store to see if she could figure out how to replicate his smell like a complete and utter weirdo. Leaving him would get easier in time.

“I need to get set up.” Rose cleared off part of a display table and dragged back two chairs so the new Bloom sign was in the background. They’d have to sit close and share a mic. She shot a subconscious glance over to where Gray had been standing with his toolbox and couldn’t find him. “Where’d he go?”

“He’s right here.” Gray poked his head out from around the backroom corner, shirtless.

Gray brought the rest of his body around the corner as he grasped one of the pink Bloom shirts over his head, stretching it to put it on. They got a show of his sculpted chest dotted with tattoos and firm abs tapering down into a solid, trim waist for a split second before he tugged the rest of the shirt down.

Lily tucked her phone in her arm and started applauding. She leaned over and whispered to Rose. “If you don’t get that, you’re a dummy.”

Rose felt her cheeks flush like a goddamn nun. Absolutely ridiculous. She’d seen plenty of sculpted half-naked men running up and down Santa Monica Beach; he was nothing special. Except he’s right in front of you, and you know exactly what he tastes like. He holds your head when he kisses you, and growls dirty talk in your ear that makes you weak in the knees.

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