Page 25 of Sheriff's Dirty Secret
“I’d like something pretty.”
“All my flowers are pretty, Sheriff March.” She grinned just as her best friend, Jackie Robles, our local social media influencer, stopped by. Her pink hair made it hard not to notice her.
“Ooo, is it for someone special?” Jackie asked, taking the seat Libby had just vacated.
“It is,” I answered, not surprised to see the shock on both their faces. “Someone very special to me,” I added, and the women looked at one another with knowing looks.
“Hmm,” Libby said, setting her arms on her hips as she looked around. “Could it be for a certain cookie-making genius?” I chuckled but didn’t give much else away. With a knowing smirk, she nodded, “I’m going to take that as a yes.”
“That would be a good guess.” The look Libby gave me was one full of joy.
“I knew that girl would get caught one day.” She grinned.
“Caught?” I chuckled.
“By a good man. You are good man, right, Sheriff?”
“I like to think so.” If you didn’t could my late-night stalking.
“Good. She deserves a good guy after?—“
“Lib,” Jackie quietly warned, something I knew was uncharacteristic for her. Jackie was bubbly and colorful, usually letting everything hang out.
“What?” Lib said. “It was a long time ago, and he should know.”
“It’s her story to tell.” I glanced over my shoulder at my girl, who was currently smiling at a mom with a double stroller and a puppy on a leash.
“Look, Sheriff, when it comes to Oli, just… just make sure your intentions are clear. She might seem tough and like a bit ofa hardass who doesn’t care, but… there’s a reason why she keeps men at arm’s length.” I nodded. I knew all about Olive’s asshole ex. She’d told me about it our second night together.
“Thank you for the warning.”
“Now… knowing that, do you still want flowers?”
“I do. She’s mine. And it might be a little messed up for me to tell you this when I haven’t told her yet, but… she’s going to be my wife one day. These flowers are the first of many I’m going to give her throughout the rest of my life.”
“Well… I would suggest the sunflowers.”
“And roses!” Jackie added.
“Make it beautiful. I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend.”
“Oh my god! That is so cute!” Libby fawned.
“I didn’t even know guys still did that,” Jackie added. Fuck, that made me feel old, but I didn’t care.
“Okay, Sheriff.” Libby pointed at me. “I wasn’t sure if you had any game since you haven’t been seen with anyone, but now, I get it.” I grinned and didn’t say another word as they both got to work creating the most beautiful bouquet for my woman. After paying and tipping them, I walked over. The farmers market was almost done. A couple of vendors had already started to pack up with less than fifteen minutes left.
Olive spotted me; it was hard not to with the giant arrangement of flowers in my hand. Her beautiful eyes widened, and the box she had in her hand slowly dropped back to the table in front of her as I approached. My heart was racing.
Oli was blushing by the time I reached her table, and everyone around us faded away. There could have been a million people waiting for her, but I didn’t care. The only thing I saw and noticed was her. She was already shaking her head, her hands on her hips in a sassy stance.
“What are you doing?” she asked, but I didn’t stop. I simply went around the table she only let me walk behind once before.“Luke!” she gasped, and I grinned. The moment I was within reach, my free hand pulled her close and I rested my forehead on hers.
“Hi.”
“Hey.” She giggled. “What is this?” I brought the flowers between us.
“These are for you.” I handed her the bouquet. Shyly but so fucking sweetly, biting down on her bottom lip, she brought the bouquet up to her nose.
