Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
She puts her arms around my waist and hugs me. “I know, Cruz. If I need anything, you will be the first person I call. I promise.”
I take a deep breath and hug her against me. “I love you, sis.”
She nods her head. “I know you do. I love you too.”
She releases me and pokes a finger in my chest. “You’re still not off the hook. You have to apologize to Tara.”
I look at the flower shop and then at the windows upstairs, and the lights are low. “I will. I’ll stop by here in the next day or two and apologize.”
She looks at me doubtfully, but I’m quick to assure her. “I promise. I’ll make this right.”
She hugs me again and then walks over to the door next to the florist shop. “I’ll see you later, brother. Good luck on Wednesday.”
Instantly, the thought of my retirement announcement comes to mind, and I hate to think about it, but I force a smile to my face, nod, and wave bye to her.
I wait until she’s behind the door and then get back into my SUV to drive to my huge, empty house… alone.
5
TARA
I usually love this time of year.
The shop is busy, and I hear all the different love stories. People come in that have just started dating, and they’re hopeful that it will turn into something more. Some have been married a year and some have been married ten, twenty, thirty, heck, fifty years. No matter the reason they come in, I love seeing the emotions on their faces as they pick out what they want.
It’s only five days until Valentine’s, and this week is going to be crazy. Instead of being focused and ready, I’m all over the place and dreading the most profitable day of the year. It’s not helping matters that for the last half-hour I’ve had to deal with my sister.
“Tara, you’re not even listening to me.”
I barely resist rolling my eyes. “Brynn, I’m listening to you, but I’m busy. I have a thousand things to do before Friday—”
She nods, crosses her arms over her chest, and blocks me from getting past her. “I know you do. My flowers are not done yet, the boutonniere, my bouquet, the bridesmaids’ flowers.” She stomps her foot. “Tara! We have to get this done!”
I grip the edge of the counter and take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Okay, I spent months designing the images until we got them exactly how you wanted them. I made test flowers…” I laugh, remembering it because it’s just another thing my sister bullied me into. She doesn’t care that this whole thing is painful and awkward for me. “You approved everything. All the flowers you wanted for the rehearsal dinner and decorations for the wedding day are done. The wedding day flowers are being delivered fresh to the event on Friday morning—per your request. I don’t know what you’re getting on to me about.”
“You’re going to sabotage this wedding!”
I push past her, and I’m a few feet away when I spot Cruz in the corner of the shop. How did he get in here without me seeing him? He’s looking at me with pity, and I look away, not wanting to see the look in his eyes.
When Lexi came in last night to pick up her keys, she didn’t say anything about her brother, and so I had no idea I would see him today. Oh God, he’s probably here to order flowers for one of the many women I see chasing him.
“Tara! Don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you. I’m asking you, are you going to sabotage this wedding? I know you still have a thing for Grant, and he’s off-limits. He’s mine.”
I’m trying to hold it together, but I can feel myself weakening. Before I can open my mouth, I feel a firm arm go around my waist. “Baby, can we talk?”
I look up into the brown eyes of Cruz Payne. He’s smiling at me and pulls me firmly against his body. “Come on, Tara. You can’t be mad at me forever. Give me five minutes.”
He touches his hand to the side of my face and then tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. My mouth falls open, and Cruz leans down and kisses my cheek and then acts as if he’s kissing my ear and whispers, “Close your mouth, honey.”
I snap my mouth closed, and I grip Cruz’s arm. “Yes, let’s go to my office.”
Brynn stops in front of me. “Tara, who is this?”
I open my mouth and look between Brynn and Cruz. “Uh, this is Cruz Payne. He’s Lexi’s older brother.”
Cruz holds his hand out to Brynn. “And Tara’s boyfriend if I can get her to forgive me.”
Brynn’s eyes travel down Cruz’s body and back up again. “Boyfriend?”