Page 89 of Wallflower in Bloom

“But my stuff’s not in your room. It’ll be obvious to him that this is all—” Jack glanced to the front window as a car pulled up in front of Bloom. “Fuck, he’s outside.”

“We’ll think of something, okay?”

“Okay.” He blew out a breath, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and walked out.

Lily snorted as she walked up, sipping her iced coffee. She leaned over and whispered, “And the plot thickens.”

“A nice sister would help me brainstorm,” Violet whispered back.

Lily stuck her tongue out. “I prefer to be a mean sister who hopes you’ll admit your swoony fake relationship isn’t so fake anymore. Consider it payback for me still being single.”

“It’s his dad. He’ll know this is all fake,” Violet whined. Lily shushed her as a customer walked by. They moved to the edge of the store.

Lily rolled her eyes as if Violet was overreacting to the most unlikely scenario. “You guys are already a couple anyway. You’re all moony-eyed when no one’s watching. You like him, he likes you, you’re bumping uglies—”

Violet thwacked her shoulder as her face flushed. “Stop it.”

“Germinating your seeds, pollinating those stamens,” Lily said, grasping for plant metaphors. “Churning his clotted cream,” Lily continued as she walked to the cash register to check out Ms. McClotskey, who held a flower arrangement. “Slaggin’ him a bit o’ your crumpet,” she said in a terrible Cockney accent.

“Lily,” Violet said sternly as the front door swung open and the bells clanked.

Jack walked in, and an adorable shorter, slope-shouldered man followed him in. He wore a short-sleeve button-up shirt with an honest-to-god bowtie and a newsboy cap with glasses. Violet had an odd sensation of wanting to put him in her pocket.

“Dad, this is my girlfriend, Violet.”

Violet put on her sparkliest smile and tried to remember to be brave and bold and channel what her heroes would do. “Hello!” she said with a warm smile. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Gerald Grant,” he said in a country British accent that sounded more like Geruld Grun.

Oh my god. He was cute as a button. “I’m excited you’re here.”

“It’s so nice to meet you, miss,” he said, shaking her hand warmly with both of his. “I’m pleased as punch my Jack has foun’ somebody so charmin’. And your store.” He looked around in wonder. “Marvelous, absolutely lush. I feel like I’ve been flown to Heaven, not America.”

“That’s so nice.” Violet’s heart expanded, hoping she was making a good impression. She wasn’t an awkward wallflower anymore. She was somebody who could make Jack proud.

They talked about his last-minute flight deal from the UK.

“I insisted he stay with us, love.” Jack eyed her with a knowing glance.

“Oh, I’m so thrilled.”

“I couldn’t trouble ya,” his dad said. “I foun’ an excellent BnB ’bout an hour away. I can’t put you out.”

“Don’t you want to see Todd?” Violet offered. She could sense a fellow old soul and knew he’d love Todd as much as she did.

He clutched his heart. “Oh, I do love that boy. You know I gave him to Jack as a kitten.” Gerald’s eyes connected over Violet’s shoulder and lit up. “Well, hullo again.”

Violet turned to see Lily and Ms. McClotskey walking toward them.

“You found it.” Ms. McClotskey had a pretty blush on her cheeks as her eyes locked with Gerald’s.

“She was my savin’ grace since my GPS wasn’t workin’. Gave me directions when I was hopelessly lost on the other side of town. I only got lost once more before findin’ my way here.” Gerald laughed with Ms. McClotskey, seemingly in their own world.

Ms. McClotskey shook her head as if realizing how she’d been staring. “I’m glad you made it safely. Enjoy your visit. Our Violet here is the absolute sweetest.” She put an arm around Violet and squeezed. “I’ve got to be going.”

Gerald stared after her. “Thank you again.” He waved with a wistful smile. His eyes followed her out of the store.

“I absolutely insist you stay with us,” Violet said, trying to get Gerald’s attention. “I love hosting.”

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