Page 84 of Accidentally in Bloom

“What I really want,” she interrupted, “is sticking to the list. This was not on the list.”

“I don’t want that fucking list.” He tossed her hand down. “I want you.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her to him.

He brought his lips down to her in a mind-melting kiss. His stubble grazed against her face, and his lips parted hers. He took and pressed, drawing her breath out of her. A moan escaped her as she kissed him back.

Somewhere in the back of Rose’s head, she knew she was in the middle of the sidewalk in broad daylight as Gray wrapped his arms around her and lifted her, but she was too busy tasting him. Need curled through her as she kissed him. Something clicked into place when she was right here, and she didn’t want to leave.

She pulled away slowly, coming up for air, and he sat her down. Why did this man have such a hold on her?

His hand came up to her chin. “Tomorrow night?”

Petals from the blooming dogwood trees above them fluttered down, and Rose tried to remember this moment so she’d have it forever.

She let out a big sigh and blew a puff of hair out of her eyes. “You are infuriating. And yes, I would love to go on a date with you tomorrow night.” Her eyes narrowed at him even as butterflies danced a rumba in her chest. He couldn’t know just how much she wanted this, otherwise he’d get even more ideas in his head.

Gray chuckled, bringing her close for a quick kiss.

Out of the corner of her eye, Rose noticed thirty faces pressed up against the front window of Bloom.

“So, are you going?” Lily yelled from inside.

“Son of a bitch,” she muttered under her breath.

Gray tugged her closer and whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “Don’t keep your customers waiting.”

She huffed out a laugh as she shoved him playfully. “Yes!” she yelled back, loud enough to hear inside. A chorus of cheers broke out as the faces peeled away from the front of the store and clapped.

“I don’t know how,” she turned back to Gray, “but I’m totally getting you back for this in the future.”

He pressed a kiss up to her temple and let her go. “As long as there’s a future, Rose, it’s fine by me.”

The next evening, Rose quickly walked up the driveway to Gray’s house for their first date. This is just casual. One date doesn’t mean forever. Though she’d changed her outfit about fourteen times that evening.

She saw a post-it taped to the door as she walked to it.

Let yourself in.

Rose smiled. Wonder what he’s up to?

She opened the door and heard thundering paws running toward her. “There’s my handsome guy.” Rose leaned down to greet a panting Duke.

She glanced around the entryway. No sign of Gray. She spotted a large, flat box on the counter with a long-stemmed red rose on top of it. She picked up the rose to smell it, curious about what was in front of her.

Rose unfolded a piece of paper on top of the box, and a zing of excitement shot through her.

Go to prom with me? - G

What on earth? She smiled from ear to ear.

She opened the large flat gift box, and her breath caught. In the box was a beautiful, light gold gown. Rose lifted the bodice. The sleeveless gown was a delicate filagree lace, weaving a high curved neckline out of nothing. It was backed by tulle and shimmers of beads, creating a magical, golden fairy dust effect.

He must be joking.

“Gray?” she yelled, seeing if he would show his face.

He remembered I never went to prom?

She lifted the dress out of the box to get a better look.

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