Page 57 of The Floral Arrangement

Fred grabbed the largest piece of the jar. “Here, let me help.”

“Thanks, Fred. Between the two of us, we’ll have this cleaned up in no time,” I said as I collected the flowers between my fingers carefully.

“Don’t mind us.” Olivia picked up another piece of large glass, her cheeks flushed red. “We’re always a hot mess until we have our coffee.”

I nodded, placing the flowers carefully on the table. I’d already drunk my thermos of coffee this morning, so caffeine withdrawal couldn’t explain my sudden bout of clumsiness. Or why my lips had lingered on Olivia’s mouth. Or why I wasn’t finding it difficult to compliment Olivia anymore. My head pounded.

“I’ll go see if they have something to sweep it up,” Fred said, hurrying off.

“I’ve got this,” Olivia murmured, picking up another large shard of glass and delicately placing it in a small pile of glass she’d collected. “Why don’t you check in with Fred when he comes back?”

“Here you are.” Fred reappeared with a dustpan and broom.

“Thanks, Fred.” Olivia grabbed it and began to sweep up the glass.

I clambered to my feet, wiping my damp hands on my flannel shirt and turned to Fred. “Do you have any more questions about the farm?”

“No, not yet. I’ve been too busy with work and house hunting.” Fred picked his takeout cup off the table and took a sip. “But if I think of anything, I’ll let you know.”

Goddamnit.My cheek muscles worked hard to keep my smile in place. “No problem. You know where to find us.”

“I should let the two of you get coffee before you sustain any further injuries.” Fred chuckled.

“Lovely to run into you!” Olivia said as she stood up, the glass now swept into the dustpan.

“See you soon.”Hopefully, with good news about the investment.

Fred walked out the door.

“That was a bit of a disaster,” I murmured. “Sorry about the kiss. I was aiming for your cheek.”

Olivia’s face tinged with pink. “It’s okay. I was just turning to look at you and was a little taken by surprise. But yes, we didn’t do the best job. Hopefully Fred bought my story about caffeine withdrawal. Ouch!” Olivia sat down heavily on a chair and lifted her left foot.

“Are you okay?”

Olivia undid her sandal and inspected her foot. “I think I cut my toe on some glass.”

“Is there any glass still in it?” I crouched down next to her, my eyes lingering on Olivia’s slender ankle and then lower, to her elegant toes tipped with neatly manicured nails. I’d never been much of a foot person, but I suddenly understood their appeal.

Olivia peered closer. “I don’t think so.”

I leaned in, lifting her foot gently with my hand and staring at the drop of blood on the tip of her big toe. “I can’t see anything either.”

“That feels nice,” Olivia said. I blinked, realizing I’d been rubbing the arch of her foot with my hand. I stopped, my head jerking up. She stared, a strange expression on her face. She pulled out her phone and frowned. “Shit. I really need to get back to the shop to open up. It’s already past nine.”

“Are you okay to walk?”

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” Olivia stretched her feet.

I picked up her sandal and gently slid her foot inside.Imagine what this must look like as an onlooker.Heat shot up my cheeks.Were we serving Cinderella and Prince Charming vibes?

“Thanks.” Olivia stood then stepped in the puddle of water that had been left by the mason jar topple. “Shit. We’d better clean that up too.”

I clambered to my feet. “Why don’t you head back to the shop and I’ll sort this out.”

Olivia tilted her head. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I knocked it over. Go on, you head off. We don’t want to keep your customers waiting.” I shooed her with my hand.

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