Page 76 of Wallflower in Bloom

“Oh, fuck,” Jack muttered as he looked down at his phone.

“Is everything okay? Do you need to go?” She felt terrible—she’d already taken so much of his time.

They weren’t dating, but it was hard for her to remember sometimes, especially when he looked into her eyes, kissed her cheek softly, and said such nice things.

She’d felt whisked into a life that wasn’t hers and had difficulty accepting she deserved it.

“No, no. It’s fine. It’s Shay.” He pointed to his phone so she could see the text.

PR Goddess

Where are all the photos of you two on dates???

I demand pics of pure, wholesome fun. Wayridge still isn’t returning my calls.

I require small-town festivals. Dogs, babies. Something!

You need to be America’s goddamn sweethearts.

“Any clue on how to be America’s goddamn sweethearts?” He smirked, leaning on the table in front of Violet.

Violet wracked her brain. “There’s an ice cream festival today in Elliottsville. It’s about 20 minutes away. We can get some shots there.”

“Ice cream with my favorite girl? That’s all you had to say.”

She allowed herself to lean up and kiss him on the cheek. She desperately wanted to ask What were they? What did this all mean? But she decided to be grateful for the no-strings fun and becoming more confident in front of people.

An hour later, they were stepping out into the crunchy, dry summer heat of the confusingly named ‘Saturday Sundae’ ice cream festival.

They walked to Elliotsville’s town square, where each table had crazier flavors than the last. Espresso bean ice cream from the coffee shop, pickle ice cream sponsored by the local grocer, beer ice cream from the microbrewery, and even flavors named after classic books in front of the bookstore.

They tasted samples from nearly every vendor. Violet had felt self-conscious and thought she’d get only one, but Jack had insisted they stuff themselves.

Violet tugged on his hand toward the bookshop. “Let’s stop at the book table. I want to try Sense and Sensibility and Snickerdoodles.”

Jack looked down at the menu. “I might try the erotica flavor, Hot and Bothered.”

“Cayenne pepper ice cream?” She pulled a face at him. “Are you out of your mind?”

“When else will I get to have Cayenne ice cream?”

“You can’t have my Snickerdoodle if yours tastes terrible. Oh, look; it has a ‘Dashwood’ of cinnamon and nutmeg.” She elbowed him at the pun, and he beamed down at her.

The breeze ruffled his hair, and she pressed a kiss to his cheek. She wanted to enjoy each moment they’d have together. She hadn’t had this much fun in so long.

Well, not since the night before, when they’d done unspeakable things together.

“Oh my gosh, it’s them! I’m so sorry to bother you. Can we take a photo?” Two young women dressed for a fabulous weekend in matching ‘Saturday Sundae’ t-shirts stopped them in the street.

“Do you want me to take your photo?” Violet said, pointing to Jack and the two of them. It was a thing she had; she loved taking photos of other people on special occasions. She liked being part of their moment, especially because she was behind the camera.

“Oh no, I meant with you,” the woman said. “You’re the plant mom girl, right?”

They know who I am? “You want my picture?” Violet asked in confusion.

“I’m officially obsessed with your store. I’ve already ordered one of the shirts.” The girl’s sunny smile hit Violet with a shock of happiness.

“Wow,” Violet said, dazed by the realization. “I mean, yeah, happy to grab a photo.” She was too surprised to be nervous.

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