Page 56 of The Floral Arrangement

I set to work taking the jars of slightly wilted blooms off the table and replacing them with new jars full of fresh flowers. My nose tickled. I really needed to remember to take my anti-histamines.

“Olivia!” A woman with short gray hair approached us, peering over her glasses. “Is this your new employee?”

Olivia laughed. “No, Mrs. Harding. She’s?—”

“I am for the morning.” I grinned. “Hi. I’m Roz Kennedy. When I’m not Olivia’s assistant, I’m the new owner of Red Tractor Farm.” I placed the jar I was holding on the table and extended my hand.

Olivia stared at me and blinked. “Mrs. Harding was my English teacher. She’s also Blake and Jenny’s neighbor.”

“Nice to meet you,” Mrs. Harding said, grasping my hand. “Olivia was one of my star students. I always thought she’d become a journalist or find some other way to use those skills.” She peered over her glasses at Olivia. “Although, you’ve had quite a few careers already, haven’t you, dear? Perhaps there’s still time.”

Olivia gave a small but firm smile. “I think I’ve found my calling with floristry.”

“Back in my day, we usually just had one career, often with the same employer. But you millennials seem to love constant change.” Mrs. Harding shook her head. “Although, Blake has been very consistent.”

Olivia’s hands tightened around the mason jar she was holding.

I jumped in. “Work is such an important part of our lives—it makes sense to take some time to find a career that you love rather than just sticking out the first one you choose for the sake of it. It’s often hard to know what a job entails until you’re in the trenches.”

“Perhaps.” Mrs. Harding’s eyes lit up and she gave someone a wave. “My coffee date is here. Nice to meet you, Roz. I’ll see you around, Olivia.” She bustled off.

“Is everything okay?” I asked Olivia once Mrs. Harding was out of earshot. “She reminded me of a nosy math teacher I had in seventh grade.”

Olivia nodded. “It’s fine. I just didn’t need the reminder about my chaotic career history before I’ve had my morning coffee.”

“Well—” I started to say.

“Roz! Olivia!”

My heart jumped. I recognized that voice.Fred.

Olivia’s gaze shifted behind me, her face breaking into a smile.

I swung around to find Fred holding a takeout cup and a paper bag, beaming. “Hi Fred! How’s your house hunting coming along?”

I flung my arm out to wrap it around Olivia’s waist.Ouch.Pain shot up my already sore arm.What the…?I glanced down. Our arms had smashed into each other halfway between us. Olivia must have had the exact same idea as me.

I chuckled awkwardly. “Sorry, babe.” I slid my arm carefully behind Olivia’s waist and squeezed.

“I haven’t found anywhere yet,” Fred said, eyeing us. “But there’s a few promising open houses this weekend.”

“Oh great! Well, at least you’ve found the best coffee shop in the area.” Olivia smiled. “Always a top priority.”

Fred laughed, his gaze dropping to the cart. “Are these your creations, Olivia?”

She nodded. “Yes. All locally grown at Red Tractor Farm.”

“They look terrific, don’t they?” I added, smiling at Olivia.

She faced Fred, her smooth cheek so close to mine I could see the fine hairs on her face and a smattering of light freckles. Maybe… Perhaps I should kiss it? As a little show of affection, for Fred’s benefit. Yes. A quick peck on the cheek might make up for our clumsy embrace earlier. I leaned in, pouting my lips.

Olivia’s head moved suddenly, a blur of pink, white and brown. My lips made impact with something soft, warm and pillowy. My stomach flipped, my eyes widening as I gazed directly into Olivia’s deep-brown eyes. I wasn’t kissing her cheek. I was kissing her lips.Oh god.Her lips parted slightly. My arm gripped her waist even tighter. Something clenched in my core. She smelled incred?—

Bang!

Water sloshed over my leg. I pulled back, looking down. Shit. A mason jar, surrounded by water and flowers, lay shattered on the floor. Did I knock that over?

Olivia and I crouched down and our heads collided. Pain reverberated through my skull.Seriously?

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