Chapter 1

Owen pushed open the door ofFresh Cut Flowersand stepped inside.

Layla Bowen smiled at him from behind the counter. “Hey, Owen, you back in town for Lauren and Chase’s wedding?” She must have known he was the best man in their high-profile celebrity wedding. Layla had her own wedding coming up soon, just after Lauren and Chase’s. She was marrying the town’s chief of police, Will Vance.

“Yes, and no. I’m here a month early because I’m opening a restaurant in Maple Creek.”

Layla’s eyebrows shot up. “A new restaurant? What kind?”

“Fresh eating. Farm fresh and locally grown, as much as possible anyway.”

“That sounds fantastic. When does it open?”

“Tonight’s the grand opening. And that’s why I’m here.”

“What can I get for you?”

“I’d like to get a dozen red roses. They’re for my mom. She’s the guest of honor at the grand opening tonight. Without my mom, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“That’s really sweet, Owen.”

The door pushed open, and Owen turned to see Alexis Remington step into the shop. Her dark hair was twisted up into a bun, and a few strands of hair were loose around her face. She had on a knit shirt and skinny jeans, and she looked gorgeous.

“Hey, Alexis.” Layla smiled at her. “You need the hydrangeas for the Thompson wedding cake, right?”

“That and my usual pink roses for the tables at the bakery.” Alexis ranThe Icing on Top Bake Shopacross the street from his restaurant.

“Okay, let me grab these roses for Owen, and I’ll get your order put together.”

Alexis looked over at Owen and raised her eyebrows. “Roses, huh?” Her cheeks flushed. “For a special lady?”

“A very special lady.”

Was it just him, or did Alexis’s smile seem forced?

“Well, whoever she is, she’s a lucky girl.”

He chuckled. Now it was his turn to blush. “They’re for my mom.”

“Oh.”

Alexis seemed relieved. Did she have a crush on him? As a world-famous film star, he was used to having ladies falling all over him, but it was different coming from his best friend’s sister. He flashed her the smile he reserved for his adoring fans—just to see how she would react.

She straightened her back and cleared her throat, turning her body away from him. “So, Layla, how are the wedding plans going?”

“Two more months. I feel like I’m about to lose my mind.” Layla looked between them. “Aren’t you guys the best man and maid of honor in Lauren and Chase’s wedding?”

“That’s right,” Alexis said. She kept her back rigid, turned away from Owen.

“Has it been intense? You know, being a part of a high-profile wedding like that?” Layla asked.

Chase was the lead singer in the mega-famous bandRemington Sound. Every angle of the wedding had been heavily covered by the press.

Owen shrugged. “I’m used to the cameras at this point.”

“Well, some of us aren’t used to the cameras,” Alexis turned to him. “It’s been overwhelming. Since I’m Chase’s sister and the maid of honor, I’ve been bugged a bit too much by the paparazzi.”

“It was tough for me to get used to at first, too, so I understand where you’re coming from.”