Page 7 of Make Me

I finally turn the ignition, roll down my window and wave, if you can call what I did a wave. My hand is still awkwardly sticking up in the air, but at least she waves back.

“You need anything?” She doesn’t respond. “Good morning,” I say.Idiot, I think to myself. I finally pull my hand back inside the car and run a hand through my hair. I pull, hoping a little bit of pain would bring me back to reality.

“It’s actually afternoon,” she clarifies.

“Right. Happy afternoon.” She looks at me, brows furrowed, and I slap a hand to my forehead. “Good afternoon,” I say louder than necessary. She continues to stare, and I clear my throat. “Just going to my mom’s house for Sunday dinner.” She gives me a dismissive nod and starts to turn to her car. This is my chance. I should just put the car in drive and pull away, leaving this awkward conversation behind, but of course, I don’t do that.

“You, ah, you wanna come with us?” I jerk my thumb towards my dog. Even Sam takes a break from hitting her nose on the window when that comes out of my mouth.What in the actual fuck is wrong with you, Cooper? But I don’t drive off like I should. I sit there, like an idiot lacking in social skills, and wait for her to answer.

I see a little hand waving furiously at me, and I wave back. Sam resumes her efforts to break my car window with her nose.

“Um, thanks, but no.” She nods her head, as if affirming her decision, turns her back to me and reaches for the driver’s door.

“We, uh, we do it every Sunday.” She looks at me, and I can feel the uncertainty rolling off her. She does a half nod, runs a hand through her hair, and gets in her car. Seconds later, she backs out of the driveway, leaving me feeling like the biggest idiot who ever lived.

Chapter 5

Laci

While Aunt Maereviews online orders we’ve received, I do my best to arrange the cooler. It’s my fifth day working for my aunt, and despite the hectic pace, it’s been one of the best weeks of my life in years. As I prep some vases with greenery base, I add a little baby’s breath to each vase.

“I don’t remember the last time the cooler was organized,” Aunt Mae says while she steps inside. She runs her fingers across the shelves, reading my labels. Before this, it was a struggle going through boxes to find the flowers you wanted. Now, everything is alphabetized and labeled.

“I knew hiring you was a good choice,” Aunt Mae winks at me, and I smile at her. She comes closer and hooks her arm through mine. “Tomorrow is your first Saturday, and I won’t be here, but you know how to reach me. Sharon will be working with you. Remember, there are three weddings tomorrow and two funerals. She’ll deliver everything in the morning, and she’ll be back to help you with the late day deliveries and anything else that might come up.”

I nod at her. She’s told me this three times already. As busy as this week has been, Mae Flowers is a walk in the park compared to my days at the grocery store, especially during the spring and summer months.

“I’ve got it, Aunt Mae. Relax. Isn’t it time for your afternoon coffee? Jackie’s probably looking for you,” I tease. Java by Jackie is on the other side of this strip mall, and Aunt Mae goes there twice per day for a pick-me-up. “You and Uncle Hank have fun at his sister’s wedding tomorrow. Me and Sharon, we got this.” Aunt Mae employs four of us, and there are two working in the shop at any given time. One to put together orders and another to help and run deliveries back and forth. We all take turns working the weekends, and since this is my first Saturday, Aunt Mae will be taking Ivy to the wedding with her so I can work.

“Well, it’s her fourth wedding,” she says, lowering her voice and leaning close to my ear as if we’re not the only two people in the store. “And the bitch didn’t even use me for her flowers. I’m only going for the free food and open bar. And the cake, because I never say no to cake!” She lets out a loud laugh and lifts her hand for a high-five. She rubs her big belly and pats it.

She runs out to get her coffee and afternoon pastry, leaving me alone in the flower shop for the first time today. I let out a deep breath and stretch my hands above my head.

While she’s out, I go behind the register to review the orders for tomorrow. The orders for both funerals are done, as are two of the wedding orders. There’s one more that needs some work, but since Ivy is spending the night with Aunt Mae, I can come in early and finish it before the store opens. There are also several miscellaneous orders as well.

The door opens, and the wind chime announces a visitor. Expecting to see Aunt Mae back with two coffees in hand, I’m surprised when a familiar face from high school steps through the door. I put a fake smile on my face while I look through some handwritten notes left by Mae.

Pickup – Sample of bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, and table arrangement for Cami Shaw.

But it’s Candace Shaw who steps inside the flower shop, not her sister Cami. She’s holding the door open and waving someone in. Expecting to see Cami, the smile from my face slips when Cooper follows in behind her. While she whispers something, I quickly unzip and take off the hoodie he threw on me the other day. I toss it underneath the table that holds the cash register and stand up straight to meet my customers.

As soon as he steps through the threshold, she wraps her arm around his like she’s a boa constrictor. He seems stiff and uncomfortable at the gesture, and I can’t help but admire his broad chest. The dark blue polo drapes perfectly against his chest. There’s a logo with the name Stevens Construction. He takes off his cap with the same logo, runs a hand through his hair and finally looks up. His eyes nearly bulge out of his head when he sees me standing there, and his mouth opens in surprise.

Candace walks to the register, practically pulling Cooper along the way. Without a word, she slams down a receipt on the desk, and I pick it up.

“Just give me a second to get your order out of the cooler,” I say while putting on my most professional smile. In reality, my heart is nearly beating out of my chest at the revelation. Cooper Stevens and Candace Shaw are still a couple after ten years. And not only has he flirted with me, but he did it while having a girlfriend. Once I get inside the cooler, I take a breath, relieved not to have taken his flirting seriously. I’m here for a new life. There is no room in it for anyone but my daughter, Aunt Mae, and Uncle Hank. There will never be another man in my life, and that’s the way I want it.

The sample bouquets are easy to find now that I’ve organized the space. I grab the box and step back outside. The first thing I notice is that Candace is no longer holding onto his arm. He’s as far away from her as possible in the space, and he’s doing his best to pretend to be interested in a display of orchids.

“Here you go,” I say, forcing my smile. “I just need you to initial here.” Before she initials, she examines the bridal bouquet. It’s a round bouquet with various shades of pink roses in the top. The bottom is surrounded by white roses and greenery.

“I suppose this will do,” Candace says. She picks up the bridesmaid bouquet and examines it. It’s the same as the bridal, only smaller. She holds one of the arrangements to her nose and inhales. She smiles for the first time since coming here.

“Coop!” she yells, waving over to him like a mad woman. Like a man walking the plank, he slowly comes over, and she shoves the bouquet practically up his nose. He takes a step back, but she steps forward. “Smell, baby.” The sound of the endearment makes my stomach drop. “I love the smell of roses, don’t you?” He nods and steps away. He takes a look at me, but I refuse to hold his stare. “For our wedding, I want bigger bouquets, though. I’m thinking a cascade of white roses and calla lilies.”

I start to cough at the mention of their wedding, but I grab my bottle of water and take a sip. I do look at Cooper this time, and all color drains from his face. When I look at Candace’s left hand and see her ring finger bare, I sigh in relief.

“Congratulations,” I say to Candace, hoping she will give me more info. “Can I book an appointment for you to come look at arrangements?” I type on the computer, pretending to look for available dates.

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