Page 70 of The Floral Arrangement

Dana stood at the bottom of the deck, eyeing my red flannel shirt with one eyebrow arched. God, could we look any more like a stereotypical lesbian couple, standing here in matching flannel shirts? If she didn’t think we were dating before, she would now.

“Sorry to interrupt. Roz, I just want to check if I can order a new fork for the forklift? It would be great to have it to help with moving the fence posts to fix the fence in the apple orchard.”

Roz hesitated, just enough for me to notice. “Yes, that’s fine, Dana. Go ahead.”

“Great, thanks. Enjoy your breakfast, ladies.” Dana’s lips curved up into a knowing smile as she twisted around and strode away.

Once she was out of earshot, I turned to Roz. “By the way, did you tell her that we’re dating—or fake-dating?”

Roz grimaced, her gaze following Dana. “You know, I don’t think I did. Thank god it didn’t come up when Fred was at the farm. But I think she has her suspicions now.” Roz looked at me. “Where were we?”

“Um. We were going to practice wrapping your arm around me and a kiss… on the cheek.” I flushed.

Roz nodded. “That’s right. Stand over there.” She pointed at the railing. “Face out.”

Swallowing, I took the three steps over and rested my stomach against the top rail.

“I could wrap my hand around your waist, like this.” Roz’s arm encircled my waist.

I slipped my arms over hers, my throat dry. “Good. Much better than our attempt at Novel Gossip.” I exhaled and relaxed into the embrace.

She was so warm and smelled so damn good. When this was all over I’d definitely need to create a candle to capture her scent. It would sell like hotcakes. I tentatively leaned my head back against Roz’s shoulder. Unlike our bumbling efforts at Novel Gossip, this felt so natural. Like we were standing on the deck, as we did every morning after breakfast, admiring our gorgeous farm. We gazed over the fields, the corn maze, studded with tiny green seedlings, the dirt road and the petting zoo. A tractor putted in the distance. The fresh smell of grass wafted on the light breeze.

Roz moved, and suddenly soft lips were grazing my cheek. My eyes fluttered close. That was nice. Very nice.

Knock. Knock.

I flinched. Was that someone at Roz’s door? I pulled back and twisted my head to look at Roz.

“Are you expecting visitors?” I asked.

Roz shook her head. “It’s probably my parents trying to offload the car on me again. Let’s just ignore them.”

“Hello?” a man’s voice called.

I stared at Roz, my eyes wide.

It was Fred.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

OLIVIA

“Good morning!”Fred stood on the front step of Roz’s house, beaming at us. “I hope this isn’t too early. I figured farmers are usually up at dawn, and the farm will be opening any minute now anyway.”

“No, no, not at all. We’ve been up for a while now, haven’t we, babe?” Roz gazed at me, wrapping an arm around my waist just as we’d practiced.

I leaned in slightly, smiling up at Roz before returning my focus back to Fred. “We have! Come in.” I stepped to the side, ushering him in as if I lived here.

I suppressed a wide grin. We were acing playing a loved-up couple. It couldn’t have been better timing, Fred appearing at Roz’s place while I was here, the practice session fresh in our minds. If Fred had any doubts after our run-in at Novel Gossip, surely this would put them to rest.

“We were just sitting on the back deck, enjoying the view. Would you like to join us?” Roz asked.

Fred smiled. “That sounds delightful, thank you.”

I followed Fred and Roz down the hallway. Was Fred here to tell us his decision about the investment? My heart beat picked up pace.

We reached the deck and Roz pulled out a chair for Fred. “Please, take a seat.”

---