Page 58 of The Floral Arrangement

“Okay. Thank you! I’ll see you Wednesday.” Olivia grabbed the cart and started walking toward the door. I ran to hold it open for her, watching her closely for any sign of a limp.

Satisfied she was walking normally, I closed the door and walked over to the counter where George was standing, frothing milk.

“George, do you have something I can use to mop up the water I spilled?”

George handed me a green-and-white striped dish towel over the gleaming red expresso machine. “Let me know if that’s not enough and I can grab the mop. Is Liv okay? It looked like she cut herself.”

I met George’s worried expression and gave a nod. “She seems fine. She had to rush back to open up.”

“Okay, good.” George grinned. “While you’re here, would you like a coffee?”

“Could I grab a long black to-go?”

George nodded. “Sure.”

Olivia’s forlorn face as she realized she’d run out of time to get a coffee flashed through my mind.

“And, um, do you know Olivia’s coffee order? I might run one back to her.”

George shot me a knowing look. “A triple shot latte.”

My cheeks burned with heat. “I’ll get one of those as well.”

CHAPTERTWENTY

OLIVIA

Butterflies flutteredin my stomach as I drove up the dirt road to Red Tractor Farm.

Why had I agreed to do this? I should have told Roz to email me the architect’s plans. The memory of her soft lips touching mine at Novel Gossip on Monday, her elegant hands massaging my foot and then her reappearance at Sapphire Blooms twenty minutes later with a triple shot latte sent the butterflies fluttering at double time.

I sighed. There was no point denying it to myself. I’d developed a crush on Roz, which was exactly what I’d been trying to avoid. Unrequited crushes were annoying at the best of times, and this was definitely not the best of times. After our clumsy performance at Novel Gossip in front of Fred, I needed to keep my mind on the game. Not only that, but I had a massive wedding next week between a local politician and the owner of a chain of bridal boutiques. If it went well, it could be huge for Sapphire Blooms.As long as we still have a supplier to fulfill all the potential new orders.I clenched my jaw. That was exactly why I couldn’t afford to get distracted by Roz.

I slowed as I neared the farmhouse and blinked. Someone was bent over the roses lining the front of the parking lot.

Was that…? Surely not.

Itwas. I’d know that outfit anywhere—I’d handpicked it myself.

Roz, dressed in overalls and a red flannel shirt, was pruning the roses.I pulled up next to her and rolled down my window.

“Ouch.” Roz pulled her hand back from the bush and shook it. “Damn thorns.”

I cleared my throat, and she turned, a scowl on her face.

“Nice morning for a prune,” I said, leaning out the window, unable to keep the grin off my face.

Roz pursed her lips. “I asked Dana if I could do anything to help and she suggestedthis. Why anyone plants roses is beyond me. Very unpleasant.”

“The gorgeous flowers make up for the thorns.” A little like Roz—prickly but surprisingly sweet.No. No. No.My eyes dropped to her long, slender fingers.Also a mistake.I dragged my gaze away. “Didn’t Dana give you gloves?”

Roz shook her head. “Just these.” She held up the pruning shears.

“Well, I recommend getting a pair, stat.”

Dana must still not be a fan of Roz, sending her out here without gloves.

Roz pressed her lips together. “I think there’s some in the laundry. Dana is over at the flower fields. Do you want to talk to her first and then come back to look at the plans?”

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