Page 59 of Four Simple Rules
“That’s another thing! He was your best friend, and…” A look of horror crosses over her face. “No wonder you always yelled at him and Rhett. You stuck up for me so many times in the past. It was because you knew the real him.” Her brows furrow. “He seems different now. Is he?”
“So different,” I rasp, darting my eyes toward the window, taking in the bustling town outside. A few people walk by to the shops with their friends. “He’s making up for that fiasco. He’s been so great at taking my mind off everything.” I lick my lips. “I don’t know what to do, Liv. Stay? Go?”
Her lips kick up into a smile. “I can’t make that decision for you. But I have a feeling you have already made up your mind.”
“That doesn’t help,” I grumble, nodding to the waitress as she drops off our food with a smile. We thank her, silently digging into our dinner.
“You once told me years ago that the greenhouses were your dream, but the flower shop was your retirement,” she hums into her cheesy hashbrowns.
Visions of the tiny flower shop in Prembrook come to mind. It was beautiful and small, but it seemed like a fantastic opportunity. I loved my horticulture degree. I’ve traveled to the rainforest with the university on research trips, bringing back samples of plants and growing them ourselves. I’ve loved the work and study going into making them live and breathe.
I’ve thrown so much into my work that I haven’t had a chance to live. There has been no living and soaking in the goodness around me. It's just work, work, work. I’ve worked myself to the bone, forgetting relationships with friends. Heck, even Jared. Maybe he wasn’t the complete problem. Did I neglect him for my work? Probably. But he failed me, too.
After finishing our meal, Olivia and I walk side-by-side down the sidewalk, popping in and out of shops and chatting about everything and nothing.
“Well, you’ll tell me what you decide, right?” she asks, grinning when I nervously nod.
“Yes. You’ll be the first person I FaceTime with.”
“You better,” she says, pulling me in for a hug. “Now, I need to get home. Lots of work and...”
“Rhett,” I laugh when her face turns red.
“Yeah, him, too. See? We’re living the dream.”
Olivia and I wave to one another as we head for our cars, and she drives in the opposite direction. Her to Rhett.
And me? Well, my time has come.
Sitting in my vehicle, I stare at my phone with my heart in my throat. I google the flower shop in Prembrook—Tulip Blossoms—checking the reviews and photographs. Everyone loves the owner and the shop. And hopefully…
“Tulips Blossoms,” the voice rings over the phone, and I take a deep breath.
I know what my future holds now. It’s like fate kicked me in the teeth and planted me right where it needed me. Boston would have been great. I have no doubt. But my heart breaks every time I think about leaving the ones I love behind.
“Hi, I was wondering if I could speak with the owner, please?” I say with a trembling voice, trying to soothe my nerves.
“This is she. How can I help you?”
“I was in your shop a few days ago, and you had mentioned it being for sale. I was wondering if it was still on the market?” My heart pounds in my ears when I’m greeted with silence on the other end. Finally, she chuckles.
“I was wondering when you were going to call. It is. Are you interested in buying?”
My breath shakes in my lungs, but I say the only thing on my mind since I left there.
“I am.”
“It was so nice to have you here, Pumpkin.” Looking into my dad’s eyes, I shiver at the onslaught of emotions bursting through his hazy eyes.
It’s nothing like the looks he gave me ten years ago. The ones when he looked right through me, never seeing me.
Now? He sees me. The real me.
It’s only been two weeks since I returned to my hometown, nervously expecting the worst. Now, everything has changed. My world has turned on its axis, giving me something I never expected—hope.
Two nights ago, my father and Grace returned from their honeymoon happier than ever. Seeing the gorgeous smiles on their faces solidified my decision to stay put and not move on. When I told my father what happened with my job, he instantly cried and told me he’d help me in any way possible.
Since then, we’ve had amazing dinners and family game nights. And the moment my body touches my mattress, Jesse’s with me, spooning me from behind. His gentle words of reassurance soothe me to sleep, and his wicked tongue wakes me every morning.
