Page 34 of Forget me Knot
The bell above the door chimes as Mrs Thompson, one of my regulars, walks in. She’s got her usual bright smile on her face and a basket ready for her weekly selection of essential oils to enhance her scent, fading with age. It’s cute how she keeps the magic alive in her and her mate’s romantic life.
“Good afternoon, Lily!” she chirps.
“Afternoon, Mrs Thompson,” I reply, giving her a small wave.
George raises an eyebrow at me from his perch on the stool, clearly impressed by how quickly the shop springs back to life. More customers trickle in after Mrs Thompson, and soon enough, the place feels like normal.
Am I worried Nigel will show up? Yeah, but if he’s watching, he’ll know George is here, so I’m hoping that will be enough to keep him at bay.
By the time the shop has had a few customers, I can feel some of the tension easing away. Emily’s upstairs, safe for now, and I can keep an eye on things down here. George is trying his best to be helpful, though he still looks like a fish out of water in my little flower shop haven.
“Hey, Lily, where do you want these?” George asks, holding up a box of lavender candles.
“Over in the corner, please,” I say, nodding towards the display shelf. “And try not to drop them.”
He rolls his eyes, but does as I ask. Watching George try to navigate through my shop is like watching a lion tiptoe through a field of daisies. The thought makes me giggle.
“What’s so funny?” he asks, glancing back at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Just you, trying to look all tough in a flower shop. It’s cute.”
He huffs but can’t hide his smile. “Don’t let the others hear you say that.”
I giggle. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
I let my mind wander to Jack and Sam and what this pack meeting could possibly be about. Jack said he would be back afterwards, but if it’s something urgent, he might not be. I have to start thinking ahead, of it just being me and Emily tonight and what we’re going to do.
Checking my phone again, I’m hoping for a message from Jack. A busy stream of customers keeps me distracted, but I can’t shake the nagging worry in the back of my mind.
“Any word from Jack?” George asks, noticing my frequent glances at my phone.
I shake my head. “Nothing yet. I hope everything’s okay.”
George nods, his expression serious. “Max wouldn’t have called a meeting unless it was important. But try not to worry too much. They can handle themselves.”
I appreciate his attempt to reassure me, but it doesn’t do much to ease my anxiety, and it’s not them I’m overly worried about.
When my phone finally buzzes with a message, I snatch it up and glance at it. “It’s Jack. He’ll be back soon.”
“Okay, cool,” George says, sitting back down with his phone now that the after-lunch lull is setting in.
Hopefully, all will be well, and he will agree to stay the night again. We haven’t really talked about it, but that seems to be our thing, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s time to change that for good.
Maybe.
Tomorrow.
Chapter 17
Jack
With Max cursing at me for walking away, I shove my hands in my pockets and stride away from the café, my mood as sour as a lemon soaked in… something else sour. Max and Sam keep blabbering about finding an omega for our pack, but we’re just chasing our tails. I couldn’t even bring myself to mention Lily. It’s like there’s a lump in my throat every time her name sits on the tip of my tongue. And yeah, they both know she’s more than just a fuck buddy to me, though neither would say it out loud.
I blow out a breath and make my way to the garden centre. A bag of custom soil mix is waiting for me, I ordered it specially for Lily. She doesn’t know about it. I like surprising her, seeing that spark in her green eyes when she realises someone’s thought of her.
“Here for the special mix?” asks the lad at the counter, a spotty teenager who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else, so I’m surprised he remembered me ordering it two weeks ago.
“That’s right,” I affirm with a nod.
