Page 83 of Accidentally in Bloom

ROSE

Rose admired the happy, feminine chaos in front of her. Pairs of mothers and daughters laughed and gossiped over the vibey music Lily played in the store. They’d sold every single ticket, and their first big event at Bloom was thriving.

“This is going so freaking well!” Lily whisper-screamed to Rose and Violet. Their guests, instructed to come in their cutest pajamas, were pampered with a fuzzy robe, face masks, and a mimosa or chocolate bar.

Nick gave neck massages on one side of the store while several pairs created their own Mother’s Day bouquets, and still more got matching floral nail art.

Rose would have never thought that an event like this could do well in a flower shop, but she supposed they were more than that now.

“I think you’re right,” Rose said. “Hopefully, they’ll all be repeat customers.” They’d sold a truckload of arrangements before Mother’s Day and would be ahead of schedule soon if business kept up.

The door to Bloom flew open, bells clattering on the antique door. Thirty-five heads whipped around at the jangling sound. Gray stalked in on a mission, and Rose’s blood ran cold with anxiety.

Was something wrong? Did the debt collector do something else to Violet’s house?

Conversation ceased as all eyes locked on the panting wall of man who’d invaded the event.

Gray’s gaze pinned Rose as if they were the only two people there, and heads started to ping-pong back and forth between Rose on one end of the showroom and Gray at the door.

Gray snatched a large bouquet of peonies that Lily had set out for decoration.

“You wanna go on a date with me?” Gray called out over the showroom holding up the flowers, standing at the door, catching his breath. His eyes burned into hers.

His brows were drawn together, and his eyes were frantic and vulnerable, like he’d just asked for everything he’d ever wanted.

Heads whipped back to Rose, waiting for her response.

Her mouth fell open.

Flames of embarrassment flew through her. She was in the middle of their first big event, and he wanted to ask her out now?

She stammered, “I—but…” She let out a big sigh and shoved her hands through her hair. She crossed her arms and could feel the entire room waiting expectantly.

Of course, she wanted more with him, but it wasn’t that simple. And she had fucking customers to entertain. She plastered a smile on her face for everyone’s benefit. “Can I talk to you outside?”

She weaved around the tables, and with every step she took, Rose’s temper grew hotter and hotter. She marched for the door, leaving a tittering crowd behind her. He opened the door for her as she stormed past.

She made it to the sidewalk before she exploded. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“I was thinking dinner sounded nice.” He handed Rose the bouquet, a concerned look on his face, but a hopeful smile tugged at his lips.

She snatched it from him and managed to stop short of throwing it at his head. “How dare you embarrass me in front of our customers. You have my number. You know where I live. Why couldn’t you ask me literally any other time, you boneheaded miscreant?”

He shoved at his hair and spoke fast, taking a step toward her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you, I just…I didn’t want to lose my chance. God, I fucked this all up. It’s just, you’re leaving—”

“Exactly.” She swatted him with the flowers, at her wit’s end. “I’m leaving.” It nearly came out as a sob.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. She bit her cheek as she pushed thoughts of everything she’d leave behind to get back to her real life.

He took a step closer to her, braving her temper. “But you’re here now. So let me spend as much time with you as possible.”

Her eyes searched his. God, she wanted to say yes.

His voice was low, and his hand came up to her face. “Or are you saying you don’t have feelings for me?”

She didn’t move away from his hand, the anger quickly draining away. “Of course I have,” she took a breath, “feelings for you.” She was practically drowning in them. “But you know I hate surprises, and I don’t need you bullying me into dating you.” She poked him in the chest.

He interlaced his fingers with hers as he held her hand to him. “I think you do. I think you need someone who will break down those walls you’ve built up and let you live the life you want. The one you really want. I see it, Rose. I see how happy you are here and how much you want everything you think isn’t for you.”

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