Page 9 of Accidentally in Bloom

“Rosie Parker,” Nash yelled to someone behind Gray. Nash was already out of the booth and headed to the door as Gray glanced up.

Gray turned to see who it was, and his stomach fell as he clocked the man-eating ice princess wrapped around Nash.

Chapter

Three

ROSE

Rose threw her arms around her childhood best friend as he lifted her off the ground. She squeezed her eyes closed, savoring a bright spot in what would otherwise be a pain-in-the-ass trip home.

Nash set her down, and Rose took in the restaurant.

Her eyes landed on a recently framed picture of her father. It was clearly a memorial to one of Canon’s most loyal customers. She ignored the lurch in her stomach.

The place hadn’t changed a bit. Her eyes scanned the restaurant but came to a screeching halt when she locked eyes with a familiar sneering glare.

What the hell?

Nash sent Lily and Violet friendly waves and gestured to the booth with the brooding asshole. “C'mon, sit with us. Let’s catch up.”

“No, that’s okay.” Rose ripped her gaze away from the asshole and smiled back at Nash. She’d missed her childhood best friend, but it was impossible not to see Gray’s steely glare shooting back at her.

Talking to him again would be a disaster.

Get out, get out, get out. “We don’t want to interrupt. Maybe we should leave. We have a lot to do.”

“Come on, Rose,” Lily said. “It's rude to refuse an invitation.” Lily smiled up at Nash and couldn’t take her eyes off him. Interesting.

“Oh my god.” Gray rubbed a hand over his face. “Just sit somewhere.”

Don’t get distracted. Don’t engage with the asshole.

Rose narrowed her eyes at him but tried to keep her anger in check. “We have a big list of things to do today, and we’re just getting coffee and pancakes to go.” When Rose finally got to Vi’s cottage, both sisters were three mimosas deep and wailing to karaoke. She needed to get some caffeine and carbs in them so they could start on her GTFOOFF List.

“Come on, Rose. Plans don't have to be set in stone.” Violet nudged her arm with a happy, buzzed smile.

“It’s officially three against one.” Nash took Rose by the arm and led her to the deep booth. Violet and Lily slid in next to Gray, and Rose slid in next to Nash.

“Hey Vi, hey Lily.” Gray sent them friendly nods. “Rosa Bertha, we meet again.” He glared back at Rose with a sizzling, challenging look in his eyes.

“Rosa what? Wait, you know each other?” Nash pointed a finger between them.

“No,” Rose said as Gray said, “Yes.”

A beat hung in the air as Gray crooked an eyebrow at her.

“Go ahead, Bertha.” Gray nodded his head in deference.

Rose took a deep breath and felt the anger rise inside her chest. “We met briefly earlier today.”

Lily gasped. “Gray’s the hot asshole?”

“Lily!” Violet smacked her arm.

“What? That’s what she called him.”

Rose kicked Lily underneath the table, and Gray let out a snort of derision.

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