Page 32 of The Floral Arrangement

“What kind of understanding?” Blake glanced over to the other corner of the beer garden, where a group of men in their twenties were laughing raucously, before refocusing her gaze on me.

I shifted uncomfortably on the bench. “I’m helping her with some things, and in exchange she’s going to keep the flower farm going.”

“Olivia, you’re being very vague right now. What’s going on?” Blake’s frown deepened.

“Yeah, you’re sounding really shady,” Jenny chimed in. “Have the two of you conspired to grow weed on her farm or something? Is this aBreaking BadorWeedstype of situation? Please don’t get arrested, Liv.”

“No!” I exclaimed, nudging Jenny on her shoulder.

“What, then?” Blake leaned in.

“Well…” I swallowed. “I may have agreed to be her fake girlfriend in return for saving the flowers.” I winced.

My friends stared at me, wide-eyed.

“What the hell, Olivia? What do you mean?” Blake ran her hand through her short hair. “Like an escort?”

I recoiled. “God, no! We’re pretending to date to help get an investor for the farm. There’s nothing physical involved.” Except for when my lips brushed Roz’s warm cheek earlier today. I pushed the memory away, trying not to blush.

“Hang on a second.” George tilted her head, the dappled sun lighting her brown crew cut. “How did you go from wanting to strangle her yesterday to fake dating her?”

Hannah crossed her arms and leaned in. “Okay, you have to tell us all from the start.”

Four pairs of eyes gazed at me expectantly.

I took a deep breath. “When I went to confront her, her mom was there. She assumed we were dating for some reason and then a potential investor showed up. I realized that if I went along with the dating story, I might be able to influence him to keep the flower farm. So I kind of pretended she was my girlfriend.”

“Oh my god, Olivia!” Jenny screamed, attracting stares from the nearby patrons.

I groaned and covered my face with my hands. “I know, I know. I just really didn’t want the flowers to be destroyed and Sapphire Blooms to go under.”

“So then she just went along with it?” Hannah asked, looking at me with fascination. Was my ridiculous plight going to end up in her next book?

A tiny leaf in my wine glass caught my eye. I dipped my finger in and fished it out, flicking it onto the ground. “Yes. And now it’s a little tricky to extricate myself without jeopardizing the investment, so I’ll have to keep it up until the money comes through. It should only be a couple of weeks.” I didn’t want to consider what would happen if Fred decided not to invest.

“Only? I hope you can last that long with Cruella de Farm.” George grimaced.

“Yeah, she’s not making it easy.” Like ordering me to complete her business plan as if I was one of her employees.I kicked the brick paving under the bench.

“And you’re okay pretending to be queer?” Blake asked.

My heart rate increased.Shit. I should have expected that fake dating a woman would raise questions about my sexuality.

George gave Blake a nudge.

“Sweet potato fries?” Dan asked from behind me.

Blake’s gaze shifted to him, and I exhaled.Thank god.

“Yes, thanks,” George said. “We’re sharing them. Anywhere is good.”

Once Dan left, I picked up a fry. “So about the whole fake-dating thing, can you guys please not tell anyone? We don’t want it getting back to the investor that it’s all a ruse. I’ll tell Mom and Dad but will swear them to secrecy too.”

“Yes, of course,” Jenny said.

Hannah and George murmured in agreement. Blake was noticeably silent, staring at me instead. I ignored her and grabbed another fry. “Thanks. Oh, and Jenny, I need your help.” I popped the fry, still piping hot, into my mouth, savoring the rich flavor.

“Help?” Jenny put down her drink.“With what?”

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