Page 66 of The Floral Arrangement

Olivia laughed and scooted slightly closer to me on the bed. “Now, what did we miss?” She rewound the movie until we recognized the scene.

I was chuckling away at Julia Roberts enjoying the luxury hotel room when I sensed Olivia’s eyes on me.

“What?” I turned to her.

Olivia paused the movie and grinned. “I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t expect you to be into it.” She must have shifted toward me while I was watching, as she was even closer to me than she had been when I looked last. If I reached out, I could rub her thigh with my hand. I frowned. Why would I even think that?

I shrugged. “It’s not terrible.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “By the way, what is your love language?”

I did a double-take, my head jerking back. “I’m sorry?”

Did Olivia’s cheeks just flush, or was it the glow from the TV screen?

“Your love language… You said it wasn’t receiving gifts. I was just wondering what it was—in case it comes up with Fred.” Her eyes skittered away.

I tilted my head. I couldn’t imagine Fred bringing it up, but Olivia seemed genuinely interested. We’d been getting along surprisingly well, so I didn’t want to dismiss her question out of hand, especially with Matt’s words still echoing in my head about being more personable. “I’m not sure.” Definitely not gift receiving or words of affirmation. Sadie and my parents had seen to that. The pizza sat heavy in my stomach. “Perhaps acts of service and quality time? What about you?”

“I think I’m the same. And physical touch.” Olivia was definitely blushing. She turned back to the screen and pressed play, breaking into a laugh as Julia Roberts teased Richard Gere. I couldn’t help smiling. God, Olivia was pretty, all glossy hair, bright eyes and pink cheeks. And she had such an infectious laugh. I forced my gaze back to the screen.

Pretty Womanled to the next movie, and the one after that. I turned off the TV as the credits rolled onLove to HateYou.

“Well, they were all entertaining, even if they weren’t full of helpful advice.” I turned to Olivia, who was uncharacteristically silent. “Olivia?”

Her body was slumped against the headboard only inches from me, her eyes closed. Her chest rose and fell. Warmth welled inside me. I leaned over and removed her empty plate, then glanced at my watch. It was past midnight. Too late for her to drive home. Besides, if I woke her now, she’d feel really groggy. Better to let her be.

Not wanting to disturb her, I pulled a spare duvet out of my closet. I placed it over her, tucking the edges around her body. I yawned and lay beside her, my gaze running over her long, dark lashes and pink lips. I’d just rest here for a few minutes and then go sleep in the spare room.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

OLIVIA

Mmm.I snuggled into something warm. I sniffed. And it smelled so good. Like I was in a gorgeous forest, full of cedarwood. It reminded me of something. Was it one of my candles? No. Not a candle. Something else…

My eyes flashed open.Oh shit.The warm, nice-smelling thing I’d been snuggling into, that I had my arm flung around, was Roz. I froze for a moment before carefully removing my arm from her stomach and inching away from her. Thank god she was still asleep, dressed in the flannel shirt and pants she’d been wearing last night. My eyes lingered on her peaceful face, her blond hair flopped over her forehead. It felt so intimate, seeing her lying there, oblivious to my gaze. I dragged my eyes away.

What had happened last night? We’d been lying in the bed, watchingLove to Hate You, and then… I must have fallen asleep. I winced. Hopefully I hadn’t snored loudly or gotten too handsy while I was dead to the world. Why on earth had I suggested going to her bedroom? It wasn’t until I was staring at her bed, my heart palpitating, that I realized what a terrible idea it was. Why did I keep putting myself in these situations?

I rolled silently to the side of the bed and grabbed my phone from the nightstand—7 a.m. I slipped off the bed and tiptoed to the window. Below, Thelma and Louise munched on grass in their field. Nearby, Ronnie was feeding the chickens. In the distance, a pick-up truck drove toward the fir trees. Only a few fluffy white clouds dotted the bright-blue sky. I liked my cozy apartment above Sapphire Blooms, but its view over Main Street had nothing on this.

A rustling behind me caught my attention. Roz was pushing herself into a seated position. My heart skipped two full beats. Her blond hair was mussed, her eyes bleary, but she still looked good.Too good.

“Sorry,” she said, her voice thick with sleep. “You dozed off and I was going to sleep in the guest room, but I must have fallen asleep too.”

“I should be the one apologizing for passing out on your bed,” I replied. “Well, I’d better get going.” I started toward the door.

“Unless you have to rush off, you’re welcome to stay for coffee and breakfast,” Roz said, then cleared her throat. “I don’t want you driving home on an uncaffeinated empty stomach.”

I stopped. Coffee would be nice. But I could do with getting some distance from Roz after our unplanned sleepover. My head began throbbing. Perhaps some caffeine would help. I’d have a quick coffee and a bite to eat and then make my escape.

“That sounds amazing, thank you. I might just freshen up in the bathroom if that’s okay.”

“I’ll grab you a towel.” Roz opened her wardrobe and peered in. “Unfortunately, I think most of my clothes will be too big for you, but you’re welcome to borrow a shirt if you’d like.” She pulled out a blue flannel shirt I’d selected last week.

I looked down at my red sweater and sniffed. A distinct scent of garlic and pizza clung to it. “That would be great, thanks.”

I’d only intended to splash water over my face, but after being provided with a thick, soft towel and a fresh shirt, the shower beckoned.

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