Page 96 of The Floral Arrangement

Blake’s jaw dropped. “What?”

My heart thudded in my ears. Who’d have thought coming out to three queer women, all of whom were close friends and one of whom was my sister, would be so nerve-racking?

“We started dating—casually—a few weeks ago.” I ran my hand over the wicker picnic basket next to me. “But it’s over now. We had a big argument yesterday. Anyway, it was only supposed to be until Fred’s investment paperwork came through.”

Blake’s stare continued to bore into me.

“Oh wow!” Jenny said. “I’m really sorry that you guys had an argument, but hooray for more gays?”

I managed a weak laugh. “Thanks, Jenny.”

My gaze shifted back to my usually composed sister. Her cheeks were flushed, her mouth still open wide.

“Shit, Liv. I always just assumed…”

“That’s okay,” I said. “I also assumed I was straight for a long time.”

Blake’s gaze flickered. “But why… why didn’t you tell us?”

“It’s something I wanted to work out for myself first. I know you all figured out your sexuality pretty early on but it’s taken me a long time. And I’m still working it out. I’m not sure if I’m bi, pan or a lesbian or something else.”

Hannah put her arm around my waist and gave it a squeeze. “Hey, that’s okay. You don’t have to decide one way or another. You do you.”

“Thanks, Hannah. That’s what Roz said too.” My voice wavered.

The others offered me similar words of solidarity. George passed around some salted caramel and pecan cookies and I bit into one, savoring the salty-sweet crunch.

“Surely there’s something Roz can do that doesn’t involve destroying the flowers and losing the farm,” Jenny said, wiping cookie crumbs from her face.

I pressed my lips together. “That’s what we were arguing about. Her parents are loaded, but she’s refusing to ask them for help.”

“What?” Jenny dropped the pita chip she was holding. “Why not?”

I frowned. Despite suggesting it was connected to Sadie and Roz’s dislike of flowers when I’d stormed out yesterday, I didn’t really believe that. That wouldn’t explain why Roz would rather lose the entire farm, not just the flower fields, than ask her parents for help. From what she’d said yesterday, it was clear she had a long-standing aversion to asking her parents for help. She’d indicated as much when her parents had tried to give her the new Mercedes-Benz. But I didn’t know the details.

“I’m not completely sure,” I admitted. “But she’s generally very reluctant to accept any help from her parents.”Or anyone else, for that matter.

“Maybe she’s worried about mixing business with pleasure and it affecting her relationship with her parents?” Hannah suggested.

“Maybe…” I replied. It was a valid concern. While Blake and Dad worked well together, as much as I loved my parents I couldn’t imagine involving them in my business. And my relationship with my parents was a lot stronger than Roz’s. When Roz had refused the new Mercedes-Benz, she’d mentioned if she accepted their help, it would come with judgement.

Perhaps Roz did have valid reasons for refusing the loan. But whatever they were, she was prioritizing them over me and the farm. And that still hurt.

“Is there anything we can do? Maybe I could organize a fundraiser or something?” Jenny asked, her face brightening.

“We could all help,” George said, leaning in. “I could do the catering.”

Blake, Hannah and Dana nodded.

Despite how miserable I was feeling, warmth washed over me. God, I loved my friends.

“Thank you, but we couldn’t raise the amount of money she needs. I’ve seen the financials. We’re talking millions of dollars.”

“Oh shit.” Jenny’s face fell.

“Yeah.”

A dog bounded into view, running across the expanse of grass in front of us and jumped into the river, its tail wagging.What I’d give to be that carefree right now.

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