Page 66 of Weekends with You

“Just about,” I said, putting the finishing touches on a practice arrangement I’d been working on. It was inspired by something a celebrity florist I followed on Instagram had posted, but Renee would’ve killed me if I tried it in the studio. She didn’t seem to understand that being inspired by other artists didn’t infringe on our creative integrity, so I had taken to experimenting at home instead.

“Are you actually invested in this project, or have you just been avoiding someone all morning?” Raja asked as she perched on a stool opposite my workbench.

“Raja, look at this thing,” I said. “Does this look like I’m not invested?” We both admired the crescent-shaped arrangement of cerulean forget-me-nots and bright white anemones, secured to the frame with twinkling golden wires.

“Okay, fine,” she conceded. “I can’t argue with that. You’re getting really good, you know. Have you tried bringing some of this stuff into the shop? Since you’ve had a bit of a surge in business since the opening, might it be a good time to get Renee on board for trying something new?”

“If I’m honest, Raj, I’m not sure I have time,” I said. “The surge has been great for business, but Renee isn’t working asfast as she used to, so I’m pulling a lot of extra weight. Which is great, because it’s my job, and we’re thrilled to have the business.”

“Good thing those projects are increasing, then,” Raja said. “You’re too creative to keep doing what you’ve been doing all this time. Really, you need your own shop, Lu. So you can do your own thing.”

A defensive knot crept up my throat. “I can do my own thing,” I said. “Sometimes. And Renee’s taught me nearly everything I know, so I can’t go totally rogue. Besides, I did that wedding, remember? And the opening last month was huge.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, though. Look how much you thrive when you’re on your own. I’d just love to see you be able to do more of that, which is why I think you should think about your own shop someday, that’s all.”

“And with what money am I supposed to do that, hm? The Lotus is hardly holding up financially and it’s been around for nearly thirty years. I can’t even afford my own flat, let alone my own shop. And besides, after everything Renee has done for me, I couldn’t leave her like that.” That didn’t mean I hadn’t dreamed about what it would be like to have my own place, but I left all that in a journal under my mattress. No sense in bringing it to light.

“I understand,” Raja said, raising her hands in surrender. “I just hope you recognize your talent, that’s all. I don’t want you to ever waste a second of it because you’re trying to please someone else.”

For Raja, this was as easily said as done. She wouldn’t hesitate to walk away from something if it wasn’t suiting her. I, on the other hand, had a hard time even thinking about it.

“I reckon it’s about time to go, then, isn’t it?” I said, hoping to end the conversation.

“What about Henry?” Raja whispered, grabbing my arm. “I mean, is this going to be so weird? Last time he was home and you missed the weekend, didn’t he want to, like, have a chat or whatever?”

“I’ve been so preoccupied I nearly forgot all about the chat,” I said, surprising myself. “But I’m sure it was just to try to make amends, if only to absolve himself of the guilt of hurting me in Amsterdam. It’s been well over a month now, though, and things between us were practically over before they started. We’ve both moved on.” I sounded cooler than I felt, but maybe I could fake it till I made it.

“You’vemoved on.” She snickered. “I’m not sure he can say the same.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ve been on, like, five dates.” Five incredible, swoon-worthy dates.

Oliver had texted immediately after the opening, and almost every day after that. We’d been out to a couple nice dinners and a swanky cocktail bar, and gone for a few lingering walks in the park. He was as clever as he was kind, and he did things like pull out my chair and pick up the tab and laugh at my jokes even when they were bad. It felt quite good to spend time with someone who actually made time for me.

“You’re being more casual about this than I thought you’d be, you know. I thought you’d be a right mess seeing Henry, but you seem really good. I’m glad you’re out the other side.”

“I’m not sure whether that’s a compliment,” I said. “But I’m definitely on my way there.” I was, wasn’t I? And if I wasn’t, I was going to have to find a way to be, and fast, if I didn’t want this whole weekend to go to shit.

“Ah, my little Lu. Growing up right before my eyes.”

“Piss off,” I laughed. “You’re no better at getting over crushes than I am. It’s all a facade, as far as I’m concerned.”

“That, my dear, is terribly offensive. And it’s also the truth.”

Almost as if he knew to save us from ourselves, Cal called us into the foyer. I braced myself for seeing Henry, then immediately tried to remind myself I didn’t need bracing. Oliver’s purpose wasn’t to distract me from what had happened with Hen, but it was a welcome side effect. If I could stay ahead, keep the upper hand, I might make it through this weekend just fine.

Then I saw him. A familiar lump returned to my throat, and I had to swallow a few times to dislodge it. I had managed to avoid him last month, having gotten home and into bed before the rest of the lot the Saturday of the opening, but this weekend I was going to have to face him head-on. And the way a flush had returned to his skin with the spring and his bare forearms in a short-sleeve shirt threatened to make that quite difficult.

Our eyes met briefly and we exchanged a polite nod, and I stood behind him in the group so it wouldn’t happen again. With all eight of us there, it was possible I could avoid him and participate in Cal’s activity at the same time. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a plan. Establish civil borders, and do not cross them. No matter how good his hair looked now that it had reached his shoulders or how tall I’d forgotten he was.

“Okay, Cal,” Margot said once we were all together. “Lay it on us. What are we to do this weekend?”

“Right, then. I figured I would do you all a service by making dinner, and perhaps even a charcuterie, since it seemed to be such a hit on Valentine’s Day—”

We cut him off, whooping and cheering before he could finish. Cal rarely cooked for the whole lot of us, but it was a real treat when he did.

“I’m sensing a ‘but,’” Liv said, eyes narrowed.

“We’re all doing the shopping. Kind of like a London market scavenger hunt. Since it’s finally springtime and the markets are full again, I figured we’d divide and conquer. Split into teams, search the markets for specific ingredients, make it sort of a competition. Then reconvene back here later for a big dinner and maybe some cocktails on the roof?”

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