Page 73 of Accidentally in Bloom

Rose knew that was coming, but it still always surprised her. Deflect. “Thanks. Your tulips are gorgeous.”

A swell of pride had Andre smiling. “This year is a good crop. Gray said you guys wanted to talk business?”

“If you’re interested in purchasing a storefront,” Rose took over with confidence. “We just reopened my dad’s shop.”

Andre crossed his arms and considered it. “I bet Frank would have loved to see what you’ve done with the place. I’m not planning on opening a brick-and-mortar, honestly. I’ve thought about it in passing, but it’s not a priority right now.”

Rose’s hopes fell. It’s okay. This is just our first stop.

“Of course,” she said. “You have a lot to handle. I’d love to look around, though.” She wanted to give him an out so they could keep a friendly relationship for the future.

“Sure. I’ll be around if you need anything. We can talk terms if you want to purchase anything for the shop.”

“Thanks, man,” Gray waved as they wandered to the tulip fields. Gray’s leather jacket and heavy work boots stuck out like a sore thumb among the young families and girls doing influencer-style photo shoots.

“Is there anybody my dad didn’t know?” Rose asked.

“He made people a priority, Rose. I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Are you insinuating I don’t?”

“Local places run differently. It’s about how well you know your customers and your commitment to the community, not just ‘Is your product good.’ People support small businesses that support the community.”

It stupidly sounded like such a foreign concept to her, but she’d lived in big cities her entire adult life. Getting things done as quickly as possible and conquering the next meant success, not relationships. “Does that mean you’ll get a better price with Andre if you negotiate?”

“Oh my god,” he laughed, bending over. “How are you so smart and yet miss the point entirely?”

“I get it, I get it.” She waved her hand in the air as if pushing away the reminder. “Relationships blah, blah, blah.”

“Is that how you won the hearts of all the men in Los Angeles? Relationships, blah, blah, blah?”

“Surprisingly, kind of.” Silence settled through them as they wandered between rows of red and white tulips. “On to the next place?” Rose pulled out her phone.

The wind picked up. “Hold on, Speedy. Close your eyes and smell that.”

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Come on. Just close your eyes and smell it.”

“Fine.” Rose let out a big breath, tired of receiving life lessons today. She closed her eyes.

The wind whipped around her, and she noticed the smell of sweet ambrosia and apple blossoms. It smelled like the embodiment of spring and sunshine. The sun warmed her face, and the breeze drifting by felt like a hand caressing her. She let out a breath and felt a coil deep within her relax.

She blinked her eyes open and studied Gray’s smiling face. His lopsided grin was a new one, a hidden arsenal in his charm offensive against every single person who liked men.

His hair blinked in the bright sunlight, shining off the long, dark strands. Their eyes locked, and an understanding hit her: oh god, she really liked him.

Like, really liked him.

This was so unfair.

Chapter

Nineteen

GRAY

Gray saw Rose’s face turn from absolute bliss to stone in a blink of an eye. “Thank you for the educational experience. I am ready to go,” she said.

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