Page 58 of Wallflower in Bloom

“The resident plant non-expert. I’m here to ask all the dumb questions you’re too afraid to.” He wiggled his eyebrows and comically winked at the camera. The three ladies watching in the store tittered.

“So, Violet,” he said, teeing her up. “What is a string of pearls, and can I get it for my mum’s next birthday?”

She laughed, her eyes connecting with his. A jolt of lust shot through him again, like when he’d kissed her in front of the restaurant and had to coach himself to stop.

“If your mom is weird like me, then maybe.”

“You don’t strike me as weird, Violet.” He smirked, enjoying their banter.

“Oh, but I am, Jack. I definitely give off Weird Plant Mom vibes, and they are immaculate,” she said directly into the camera as a joke with Lily, but everyone in the store laughed. “One of our followers commented that her string of pearls has root rot. Let’s see how to remove it so she doesn’t have further damage.”

Violet spoke to Jack and occasionally to Lily behind the camera as she explained efficiently and helpfully how to deal with something that sounded disgusting.

Lily made a wrap-it-up motion, and Violet signed off.

“I’m Violet, your local plant mom.”

“And I’m Jack, your local plant dummy. Great job, plant mom.” He threw an arm around her, squeezing her to him. He was so proud of her.

“Thanks. See you next Monday,” Violet said, her eyes locked with his. It would be easy to get lost in her emerald eyes, but he pulled his focus back to the camera and gave a quick wave. Shay would be ecstatic for another opportunity to showcase their wholesome relationship.

“And we’re done,” Lily said, and a smattering of applause sounded throughout the store. They’d gathered a few more watchers, including Rose, who stood beaming at the counter.

“I can smell the sales.” Rose walked over with a happy smile. “Bloom’s phone has been ringing non-stop since your relationship went public. Maybe we’ll be able to pay off Dad’s tax debt even sooner.”

“I’m glad. Positive reactions on my front, as well.” Jack put his arm around Violet and squeezed her. “You did great today, darling. Or should I call you sausage? Or muffin?”

“Darling is fine,” Violet said, nervously tucking her hair behind her ears.

“Oh my gosh, we are such fans!” one of the customers exclaimed. “Could I get a selfie?”

“It would be my pleasure.” He squeezed Violet before he broke away.

He already missed not having her in his arms, but he needed to protect her from himself.

Before his heart got further entangled.

VIOLET

“And Jack is officially a plant daddy!” Lily called over the noise of the party as she read off comments from their followers. The sun was setting over the rolling hills of Gray’s flower farm, and barbecue guests milled around the large patio.

“Plant daddy?” Jack chuckled, taken aback.

Thank you, internet, for the perfect name, Violet thought as she refilled the ice in the drink cooler. Jack was a plant daddy, all elegance, rounded muscles, and warmth that could turn hot at any moment.

The Plant Mom video went viral a week ago, and online sales had poured in. They’d already sold a truckload of Weird Plant Mom Vibes t-shirts on their website, and Bloom’s phone rang non-stop for potential partnerships.

All three of them had cried when Rose hit send on the last payment for their dad’s back taxes. They decided to celebrate like he would have: inviting the whole town, everyone who had supported them, for a night of fun and good food.

There was a weightlessness in the air as laughter flitted through the yard. Like a yoke had been lifted off of Violet’s shoulders. It felt like anything was possible.

Violet stood a little taller. And I helped make that happen.

The comments under the video were mostly kind. And a lot had mentioned how she and Jack couldn’t take their eyes off each other. She’d watched it countless times to suss out if any of it might be real. But he was such a good actor. She couldn’t trust what she saw.

He’d kept to himself and spent more time with Gray since the video went viral. It felt like he was avoiding being alone with her, and she’d only seen him a few times in the last week. That morning, he’d looked tortured when he said goodbye, but his eyes had drifted to her lips, she was sure of it.

Maybe she’d done something wrong?

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