There was nothing else to say.
Jackie and I had come to an agreement. And hopefully, I’d made Mrs. Watson feel guilty enough not to want to hurt Addi, either.
“Well, I guess that’s all.” Jackie raised her eyebrows at me, shooting me a look that made it clear she was happy to see me leaving town. “Goodbye, Sabrina.”
“Goodbye, Jackie,” I replied curtly, before making my way toward the door.
Ethan was right on my heels.
“Ethan?” Jackie called.
“Enough, Jackie,” he said with force. “I don’t have anything else to say to you. And I don’t owe you any kind of explanation. As I’ve said before, I will choose who I want to be with, and I want to be with Sabrina.”
Just then he took my hand in his and we left Fuchsia Flowers, together.
We were both quiet as we walked to the car. I felt awful about causing issues with Ethan and his family. One thing was for sure, Jackie and I had come to a truce. Of course, there was no way to be sure she wouldn’t try to cause more issues, but at least I had done everything I could.
“I’m so sorry you got dragged into this,” I said as soon as we sat in the car. “I would never want to cause you problems with your family. I know how that feels, believe me.”
He shook his head. “You don’t owe me an apology. I’m sorry for the way she’s been acting. She’s been stuck on this Aubrey thing for a long time. This isn’t the first relationship—” He stopped, mid-sentence.
Did he say “relationship”?
“I meant to say, it’s not the first time she’s tried to interfere with the woman I’m seeing. Throw in the fact that you’ve been running a competitor flower shop, it’s a recipe for disaster.”
“Well, luckily you won’t have to deal with this for much longer.”
An uncomfortable silence ensued. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
I took out my phone and sent a text to Addi.
Hey. Hope everything is going smoothly with the Thornhill wedding. We need to talk. Call me. I think it’s time for me to come home.
“So, you’re really going back?” he asked as I slipped my phone back into my purse.
I stared out the window at the palm trees, colorful billboards, and the clear blue sky. There was suddenly a huge lump in my throat at the thought of leaving this city.
I tried to swallow the lump, which seemed to be growing by the second.
“Yes. I think I have to.”
And I did, and not only before I caused any more issues here. I needed to get closure with everything I’d left behind so I could move on with my life.
I had been running away from things for too long.
“I understand,” he said softly.
Of course he understood. He was amazing. The thought of not being able to see him whenever I wanted made me feel awful, but I knew I had to go home. At the same time, I needed to be honest with him and tell him about my growing feelings for him.
We continued to ride down the highway in silence until Ethan spoke up. “What are you going to do about all the events you’re working on?”
I sighed. “Yeah, I need to talk to Addison about that. I know I can’t just up and leave Blooms floating in the wind. Christina’s bridal shower is in a few days, so obviously, I’ll get that done. And as far as her wedding, I still don’t have confirmation, despite what Jackie said.”
Ethan nodded as he stared straight ahead. I noticed him grip the steering a little tighter. There was still one thing to be discussed, and I knew he was thinking the same thing I was.
He cleared his throat. “Well, it sounds like it should be an easy transition. You two will just switch places again—right back into your old lives.”
No. That wasn’t going to happen.
We would switch places again, but I would not be going back into my old life. Even though Todd and I were over, I had my business, my friends, and my family.
And, most of all, I had to face my mother as the new, stronger version of myself I had become.
“I guess I have to get closure with my family.” I reached over and touched his arm. “But that’s it.”
I wanted to reassure him I was not going back to Todd. This had nothing to do with Todd, this was all about me.
“Ethan—”
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” he interrupted. “I know this doesn’t have to do with your ex.”
I gave him a grateful smile. “Exactly. Todd and I are over—we have been for a long time.”
We pulled up outside Addi’s townhouse. Ethan put the car in park and turned to face me. “Sabrina, I want to be honest with you. I don’t think that us meeting on the plane was a coincidence.” He reached over, took my hand, and entwined his fingers with mine. “We were meant to meet that day.”
I studied his face, memorizing the creases around his blue eyes and his warm smile. I knew I felt the same way, and I wished more than anything we could be together.
But I had to leave.
“I feel the same way. And I wish I could stay here with you, but I can’t.” I dragged my gaze away from his face. “And I don’t want to cause any more issues between you and your family.”
He reached over and touched my face, sending a jolt through my body. “I told you, I’m not worried about that.”
“And anyway, even if I did stay, you’re moving to Seattle.”
He pursed his lips. “Well, San Francisco is a closer commute to Seattle.”
My eyes got huge. “What . . . what are you saying?” My heart was hammering.
He inched closer to me, and I breathed in his scent. I would definitely miss that scent.
“I’m saying that I just found you, and I’m not ready to let you go.”
I swear my heart skipped a beat. This felt so right—but I was utterly terrified.
“You’d move to San Francisco, to be . . . with me?” I breathed, barely believing what he was saying.
He nodded as a fresh smile crept across his face.
“I can’t ask you to completely disrupt your life for me.”
He touched his finger to my lips. “You’re not asking me to do anything.”
I rubbed my forehead. “I know, but I already feel like I’ve been the cause of so much drama in your life.”
He took my face in his hands and looked into my eyes. “Please listen to me. I want to give this a chance, and if that means I commute to Seattle from San Francisco, then that’s what I will do.”
Tears welled in my eyes. I was so afraid of making another mistake. The last thing I wanted to do was rush into anything. But I knew I cared about Ethan—there was something about him, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Maybe he was right? Maybe our meeting on that plane was fate, just as I had thought meeting Addi had been.
I pressed my lips together, my heart expanding. “Okay. Just promise me you’ll give me some time to sort out my messy life.”
He reached up and kissed my forehead. “I promise.”
* * *
After Ethan dropped me off, I began to think about my next move. I tried to call Addi two more times but wasn’t able to reach her. I called The Flower Girl and finally got Leonardo on the phone.
“There’s my favorite YouTube star,” he said, giggling.
I rolled my eyes. Of course, Leonardo would mention that. “Please don’t remind me.”
“Oh, come on, babe. Do you know how many people would love to be in your shoes? You’re famous!”
“Better them than me.”
“Oh whatever. Hey, I have a bone to pick with you. Why haven’t you called me since you’ve been away?”
I knew this was coming. I admit, I had been avoiding him, too, but for different reasons than ignoring my family. Leonardo had a big mouth, and although he was a great worker, I didn’t completely trust him. It had been much easier to just avoid him.
“I know. Please understand, I wanted some time to sort out my complicated life. It was j
ust easier to keep my distance. Anyway, that’s why I’m calling, to let you guys know I’m coming home. I’ve been trying to reach Addi, but I haven’t been able to get ahold of her.”
He didn’t respond.
“Leonardo?”
“What? Oh, yeah, she’s just been slammed with the Thornhill wedding. I’ll tell her you’re trying to reach her. And speaking of that . . . um, I probably should get back to work.”
“Oh, well, okay,” I replied uncertainly. “Please tell her to call me. It’s important.”
“Sure thing, babe. See ya later.”
And just like that, he was gone.
I held the phone in my hand while I replayed our brief conversation. Something was up with him, but I wasn’t sure what it was.
I really needed to talk to Addi.
* * *
When I arrived at Blooms, I was surprised to find Christina there, sitting with Isabella. I immediately noticed her tear-stained face, and I was pretty sure I knew what had happened.
“Hi, Christina. Is everything okay?” I asked.
She shook her head. I glanced at Isabella, who raised her eyebrows meaningfully at me.
“I’m not getting married,” Christina said, right before blowing her nose into a big wad of toilet paper. “I’m sorry. I know how hard you have been working on the arrangements for my shower. And we were going to use Blooms on Valencia for our wedding flowers. But then . . .” She covered her face with her hands.
“I’m so sorry,” I said.
“I’ve been having doubts for a while. And then there was an issue with another girl he dated.” She paused, sniffling. “Anyway, calling off the wedding was the right thing to do.”
I watched how distraught this girl was, and I knew exactly how she was feeling. At the same time, I had to tell her she had made the right decision. If she was having doubts, she would be a fool to go through with the wedding.
I crouched down next to her and put my hand on her arm. “You did the right thing, Christina. Trust me when I say I know exactly how you feel.”
She blew her nose loudly. “Thank you. I’m just so sorry about all of this. You ladies have been so great to work with. I’m going to tell everyone I know about this florist shop.”
I gave her a grateful smile. At least I’d done one thing right when it came to Addi’s business, even if the shower order was now canceled.
Christina left after giving both Isabella and I several hugs. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her having to face her family and friends, and I wished her all the luck in the world.
“Well, there goes that event,” Isabella said glumly. “We should go do something fun this weekend, especially now that we won’t be scrambling to finish last-minute arrangements.”
I chewed on my lower lip. I needed to break the news to her.
“Isabella, about that. I have to tell you something.”
She gave me a curious look. “Okay.”
“I’m going back to San Francisco. Soon,” I said without preamble. “I just need to get ahold of Addi and let her know. Depending on when she can get a flight out, you may have to look after things for her until she’s ready to return, whenever that is. Don’t worry, you got this.”
Isabella looked like she was about to cry. I really hoped she wouldn’t because then I would start. She had turned out to be a really great friend, and I was going to miss her terribly.
“No, you can’t just leave,” she pleaded. “What about Mrs. Watson?”
Ugh. Mrs. Watson. I still had to tell her about our unexpected meeting this morning at Fuchsia Flowers.
“I will make sure I do her weekly order before I leave, and I’m sure Addi will be back before next week’s order. And now that Christina’s shower has been canceled and there’s no wedding, it’s probably a good time for us to switch back before any other big events pop up.”
“Okay, but how do you know Addi is ready to come back?”
I paused. Maybe Isabella was right? I knew Addi was loving San Francisco, so maybe she didn’t want to come back to Orlando. She’d told me she came here for love and that Jon had broken her heart. I wouldn’t blame her one bit for not wanting to return.
“I guess I don’t yet.”
Whatever it was that Addi decided to do, I knew one thing for sure: I needed to be back in San Francisco.
The lump in my throat from earlier in the day returned. I glanced around Blooms, where I had spent the last few weeks. A part of my heart was breaking to leave here.
But I knew I must.
“Will you be back?” she asked.
I shrugged my shoulders, tears threatening my eyes. “Hopefully, someday.”
The truth of the matter was I didn’t know where I was going to end up. But I knew where I needed to be right now.
And that was home, facing up to what I had done so I could move on with the rest of my life.
Chapter 23
Addison
We really need to talk. Call me.
I read and reread Sabrina’s message. She’d been calling me and texting me over the last twenty-four hours, even calling The Flower Girl to try to get ahold of me. Luckily, Leonardo had taken the call, and I got out of Dodge for another day.
I knew I was going to have to face her soon.
I turned the key in The Flower Girl lock at the end of a long and tiring day. My temples still thumped, and I’d barely had the chance to do anything today other than arrange the designs—oh, and panic about losing Mrs. Thornhill as a customer.
Among other things.
“So, I’ll see you at the church tomorrow just before eight. The flowers are being delivered at eight sharp, so we’ll have time to set them up before we move on to the reception venue.”
“Gotcha.” Leonardo planted a kiss on my cheek. “Great work today, babe. Go, have a glass of wine with that cute boy over there.” He nodded in the direction of the bookstore a couple of stores down from The Flower Girl.
I looked over and saw Geoff, standing by the bookstore window, smiling across at me. He looked relaxed and fresh, probably having had the chance to shower and rest from his long flight while I had been working my butt off, trying to get everything right for Lucy’s wedding tomorrow.
I waved at him and returned my attention to Leonardo.
“You have got men coming out your ears, girl. Cute ones, too.”
Although the image of men coming out of my ears was weird, he was right. Somehow, I had gone from having no men interested in me to having one fly across the world for me and another? Well, I wasn’t sure about the other.
“Eight sharp, got it?”
“Got it. See you tomorrow.”
Geoff walked over to greet me with open arms. Without a second thought, I stepped into his familiar embrace and closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of his arms around me. I could feel the tension of the day drain away.
Well, some of it.
“Are you hungry?” he asked as we walked toward the exit, his arm slung around my shoulder.
My forgotten belly grumbled loudly in response. Geoff and I both laughed. “That would be a yes, then.”
We hopped on the busy F-line together and headed back to Marina. It was so odd to have Geoff with me on this ride I had come to know and enjoy, and I found myself studying him out of the corner of my eye, trying to work out how I felt about him being here—for me.
We ate pasta and reminisced about our years together, remembering all the good times we’d had. We skirted around the way in which I’d dumped him for another man, and to his credit, he didn’t appear to be bitter about it.
He was like a favorite winter’s coat, wrapping me up and keeping me warm, protecting me from the world. And a big part of me wanted to stay there, cocooned with him.
Forget about the disaster my life had become.
At the end of the evening, he took my hands in his and we looked into one another’s eyes.
“Losing you was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go thr
ough, Addi.”
I nodded, pressing my lips together as guilt spread through my belly. I had left Geoff for a worthless man who had stomped all over my heart, following him to Orlando and leaving Geoff behind.
With Geoff, I knew I would be safe, I knew he would never do anything like that to me.
I knew I would be loved.
“I’m . . . I’m so sorry I did what I did. I was wrong,” I replied, hanging my head, feeling like I’d intentionally wounded a puppy or something.
“Does that mean what I think it means?” he asked tentatively.
I looked back up at him. I could see the hope in his eyes. “I . . . I don’t know. Can you give me some time? I’ve got so many things in my head, with Sabrina and The Flower Girl.”
And Todd.
“Of course. Whatever you need. I’ll be here, waiting for you.”
I said good night to him and walked up the stairs to Sabrina’s apartment, my brain full to bursting. As I closed the door behind me and dropped my keys on the cabinet, I spotted a large, white box on the dining room table. I’d placed it there a few days ago—back when my world had been a very different place.
Sabrina’s wedding dress.
I’d had it cleaned and packaged in acid-free paper, presented in a tasteful white box, embossed with flowers. I ran my fingers over the floral pattern on the top of the box. It looked beautiful—and had cost me a small fortune to have it done.
I thought of seeing Sabrina in the dress at the airport that time, running in her heels, desperate to get away. Then, we’d come up with this totally harebrained idea to switch lives, hoping for something better than we had in our own.
Both looking for escape.
I slumped in a soft chair, kicking off my heels. How had it all gone so wrong? First I crashed her scooter, then I fell for her fiancé, and now I’d lost her biggest customer.
Way to go, Addi.
I let out a long, heavy breath as I rubbed my temples. Maybe it was time to face the music? I’d been living someone else’s life, and now it had all gone so horribly wrong.
Maybe Geoff was right? Perhaps it was time to go home.
One Way Ticket Page 22
