Page 11 of Wallflower in Bloom

Violet looked pleased as she poured the steaming water over the tea leaves, ready to make a cuppa to go with the best goddamn baked good he’d ever eaten. “You’re welcome to stay here for a few weeks.”

“I couldn’t put you out like that.” He took a second bite and had the same orgasmic feeling. “Christ, did you put cocaine in these?” He stared at her in amazement.

Violet turned with a proud smile. “Cream and sugar?”

And Jack realized he was really fucking glad Rose Parker was allergic to cats.

Chapter

Three

VIOLET

Violet’s heart thudded in her ears as she took in the Fairwick County Wine Festival board in front of her.

Just breathe. You probably won’t pass out. Only fifteen more minutes to go.

Violet slid her eyes to Rose, who confidently outlined the services Bloom would provide for the festival if they were selected as the event florist.

The three of them had killed themselves putting together the best pitch they could think of for the largest event in the county.

Her sisters loved flowers, but Lily and Rose didn’t know anything about the care and keeping of plants or even about which grapevine varieties they would use.

Her stomach churned with nerves. Her feet went cold as she thought about how it could go sideways once she started talking. Merely standing in front of the panel was enough to make rivulets of sweat run down her back.

It didn’t help that Jennifer, her frenemy since grade school, was sitting at the head of the table sneering at Lily’s designs for the grapevine-themed arrangements. Her designs looked like a gorgeous vineyard had burst into a thousand floral pieces. Intricate roses and elderflowers were woven through thick grapevines, setting an expensive but casual vibe.

It was almost Violet’s turn. She only had to say four things, then she could breathe easier.

Mention the varieties of grapevines, our commitment to sustainability, the historical significance of the flowers we chose, and how we’d keep them fresh for the four-day festival.

Just four things; she could handle four things.

Violet counted on her fingers again and again until she realized the room was silent and everyone was staring at her.

Rose’s eyes looked panicked. “Ready?”

“Yeah, sorry.” Violet tucked a tuft of curls behind her ear that had escaped her low bun.

She’d wanted to look chic for the presentation, but all she found was an oversized button-up and pants that didn’t fit right. They fit her waist but were too tight in the hips, and she felt so self-conscious about it all. Why couldn’t she dress like Rose, effortlessly fabulous all the time?

Her heart slammed into her chest with a heavy thud, thud, thud, as she stood up and looked at the PowerPoint presentation.

Eight people stared back at her as she cleared her throat.

Sixteen eyes judging her, judging how she looked, judging what she would say.

You’re gonna say something stupid, Violet. Like when you failed speech class or when you bombed all those job interviews. Or when you bailed on your maid of honor speech at Aaron’s wedding. You let everyone down.

“Whenever you’re ready.” Jennifer leaned across the table with an arched eyebrow that felt threatening rather than encouraging.

Shit, she’d been inner monologuing.

“Right. I, um…” Her voice came out shaky and thin. “I’m here to talk about vines.” Her hand trembled as she clicked the remote to advance the slides. But she clicked it three times, screwing up the presentation.

“Shit,” she said quickly. “I mean shoot. Sorry.” A couple of the board members snickered with each other.

They were laughing at her.

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