To my surprise, she shoves my chest with so much force that I step back, but not before I feel a zing of electricity shoot through my body just by the simple touch of her hand. She must feel it too because her mouth opens, and she rubs her hand on her thigh. With our eyes locked, she pushes the door, and it slams in my face. Seconds later, I hear her locking it from the inside.
I rest a hand on the door, unsure of what I should do. I know what I want to do but can’t bring myself to knock and explain that things are over between me and Candace. But with Cami’s wedding just two weeks away, it’s best to have that behind me before I approach Laci again.
Two more weeks. I can do it.
Chapter 7
Laci
Sweat is drippingdown my back in the late June heat, despite the air conditioning in this old church. This was supposed to be Sharon’s job, but her husband had to have emergency surgery yesterday, and the job was passed down to me.
It’s been a hellish day, filled with one misfortune after another. With Sharon out, Aunt Mae had to come in, so I could not leave Ivy with her for the day. That meant she had to come to work with me, and for a Saturday in the middle of Mae Flowers’ busiest season, I haven’t had a moment to let out a breath.
On top of that, the van wouldn’t start, and it took longer than usual for Uncle Hank to nurse it back to life. We should have decorated the church with the flowers two hours ago, but luckily, the wedding is still an hour away.
I stand back and admire the pedestal arrangements at the altar. They are two large arrangements with roses that match the bridal bouquet, but these are filled with greenery and baby’s breath. Aunt Mae was right—I did a great job with these.
Quickly, I leave an urn filled with white roses at the end of each row of seats. Once the church is decorated, I check my watch, eager to get out of here before the wedding party arrives. I leave the basket of pink rose petals for the flower girl at the back of the church.
I grab the rest of my flowers and decorate each church step with an urn situated on a tall pedestal. Just as I’m ready to leave, I realize I left my purse inside. I jog down the aisle and find my purse near the altar, grab it, and throw it over my shoulder. I’m eager to get the hell out of here, but a stack of brochures catches my eye. I grab one, and it’s a program for the wedding. I don’t know why I do it, but I scan the names, and sure enough, Cooper Stevens is listed as one of the groomsmen.
I stuff the program in my purse and leave through the side door. I should be home with Ivy now, playing with her in the yard before cooking dinner. I was going to take a walk to the creamery for ice cream, but by the time I get home, I’ll be too exhausted to do much. I still need to get to the reception venue with our flowers. Aunt Mae and Uncle Hank will meet me there, but that also means that we’ll have to deal with Ivy.
I run a hand over my sweaty forehead when loud laughter gets my attention. It’s then that I notice a black stretch limousine. There’s a group of guys dressed elegantly in black tuxedos, crisp white shirts, and black bow ties. They crowd around the groom, and a photographer snaps picture after picture. I can’t help but smile. Despite having a rushed wedding to a man I did not want to marry, I’ve always loved weddings and the pomp and circumstance they bring. I’ve always loved love. The kind that happens when you least expect it and knocks you off your feet. The kind that makes you smile in the middle of the day for no reason at all. Unfortunately, that’s not meant for me, but I can still be happy for others.
I feel eyes on me, and when I scan the group of guys, Cooper’s dark eyes lock with mine. Even from across the parking lot, I get lost in his eyes. I mentally stop myself from walking over to him. He’s dressed like everyone else, but he stands apart. He’s taller, more distinguished. His hair is slicked back, and I’d give anything to walk over there and run my fingers through it. But then, I remember he’s not mine to touch, and that’s how I want it. One bad relationship was enough for me to know that I never want to do it again.
The smile leaves my face, and I look away from him. I get inside the van, and before I turn the key in the ignition, I say a small prayer that the car starts. My prayer was heard, because the engine revs to life, and I slowly drive out of the parking lot. When I look in the rear-view mirror, it’s to find Cooper standing in front of the church, still watching me. Our eyes catch through the mirror, but I look away and merge into traffic.
* * *
The reception venue is a mansion on a hill overlooking a manmade lake, but I have no time to admire its beauty or enjoy the perfect June weather. While the caterers and bartender run around outside, Aunt Mae and I decorate each table with our flower arrangements. Thankfully, Uncle Hank took Ivy home with him, leaving us free of a roaming two-year old. We’re done before the wedding party is due to go inside, but they’re on the patio overlooking the lake while they enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. My eyes find the bride, a beautiful dark-haired woman in a form-fitting mermaid wedding dress. Her arm is wrapped around her groom, and she’s looking up, smiling into his handsome face. He leans down and gently kisses her lips.
I can’t help but smile at the sweet exchange, and for a second, I picture what it would be like to have someone look down at you in pure adoration. But I swiftly remind myself that I’m not interested in that. Besides, I come with a two-year-old child, and there is no way I would trust anyone to help me raise her. She’s already been through enough in her two years.
I start to walk away, resigned about my fate in life, but once again, I feel eyes on me. Slowly, I turn around and stare right into the dark eyes of Cooper. I stand there frozen, unable to move or breathe. He takes a step toward me, but another groomsman practically tackles him, and the two start to roughhouse.
It’s like the spell has broken. I take another deep breath and finally walk out. I’m grateful that Aunt Mae is distracted and doesn’t notice Cooper looking at me. He raises his hand and gives an awkward wave, but before I could wave back, someone grabs his hand and pulls him away.
When we arrive at Aunt Mae’s, they convince me to stay for dinner, and since Uncle Hank was already grilling steaks while Ivy ran free in their yard, I agree. Dinner turns into a movie, and because Ivy is so filthy from running outside, I end up giving her a bath and putting her in her pajamas. And because Uncle Hank and Aunt Mae have no kids of their own, they don’t hesitate to spoil Ivy with the ice cream of her choice.
It’s after ten by the time I turn on my quiet street and onto my driveway. Cooper’s truck is still missing, and I imagine him eating wedding cake and dancing the night away in his girlfriend’s arms. Too exhausted to think about Cooper any longer tonight, I carry a sleeping Ivy inside and put her to bed.
After taking a much-needed hot shower and changing into fresh pajamas, I remember the bag of groceries Aunt Mae insisted I take. As I’m pulling the bag out of the trunk, I see bright headlights coming from down the street. Seconds later, Cooper’s truck pulls into his driveway. I slam my trunk and run to my door, but he calls my name before I can make it inside.
My hand is on the doorknob, and I could walk inside and pretend like I don’t see or hear him, but I’m tired of running.
“Laci,” he says again, breathless this time. When he gets closer, I notice the bow tie is missing and his hair is in disarray. I stand up straight and wait for him to speak. “Hi,” he whispers. “Listen. You should know that things with me and Candace are over. We broke up a month ago, but we kept it quiet because we didn’t want to cause drama right before her sister’s wedding. But I think Candace was only biding her time so we could get back together. But after what happened in the flower shop, I told her there’s no way in hell that would ever happen.”
A breeze hits, and I remember my lack of bra underneath my shirt. My nipples harden, and I tell myself that it’s because of the cool breeze, not because of the man standing in front of me.
“I don’t understand why you are telling me any of this,” I say. I open the door, put the bag of groceries inside and turn to face him. I wrap my arms around myself, shielding his view of my breasts.
“Because I like you,” he says, and my heart skips a beat. No man has ever said that to me before. He takes a step closer, and I back away.
“You don’t even know me, Cooper.”
“I feel like I do know you, Laces.” He reaches up and caresses a strand of my hair. “That’s the thing. I feel like I’ve always known you. Even ten years ago.”