The Roommate Problem

by Mariah Ankenman

  Love.

  She turned away from his room and headed to the bathroom. Stripping off her clothes, she turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm. As hot steam filled the bathroom, she stared at her reflection becoming fuzzy in the fogging mirror.

  Resolve filled her. Her friends were right. Moira Rossi didn’t give up.

  Tomorrow, after work, she was going to find August and show him just how much she cared. Convince him they were worth fighting for.

  She wiped at the condensation on the mirror and grimaced at her reflection. Lifting a strand of her streaked hair, she wrinkled her nose. Tomorrow she’d get the love of her life back, but tonight she had to dye this hair.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  August stood at the edge of the eight-acre plot his grandmother intended to buy. He had to admit, it was a nice spot. Enough land for a small farm with space to add a sizable greenhouse for flowers that needed a warmer year-round climate. The location was just outside the heavy traffic of the city but close enough for her to get daily deliveries of whoever was going to run the farm.

  It could be me.

  He sighed. His mind poured over the dilemma as he walked the ground, visually examining the dirt that would someday soon grow flowers for his grandmother. Flowers he could grow if he wanted. He’d been obsessing over it all weekend, and he still hadn’t come to a decision.

  After sitting up with Patricia all night watching crappy TV game shows, he’d made sure Gran was awake and doing well before he checked in to his hotel room a few miles away. Mo had done as he asked and cleared out of the apartment, sending his grandmother a text that he could go over and get his stuff.

  The apartment had felt so…empty. Strange, since Mo had managed to clutter the place with trash and clothes in the less than twenty-four hours he’d been gone. But even with all the junk scattered about, empty ice cream tubs, dirty socks, an empty box of hair dye, the place had a desolate feel to it. Like all the light had been sucked out of it.

  After settling in to his temporary home, he went back to check on Gran, where the woman refused to speak with him until he sat down and went over the plans for the flower shop expansion. Because he hadn’t wanted to upset her, he did as she demanded. He recognized his grandmother’s handwriting, but some of the ideas…they were all Mo.

  He sat at the table for the next few hours and poured over every detail, marveling at how thorough and unique it was. Unique because the plot of land his grandmother intended to buy wasn’t in the city proper, but just outside. Close enough to be within driving distance of the city, but far enough away to escape some of the hectic aspects he disliked so much. It was what Mo had been saying all along.

  A compromise.

  And that was how he came to be here. Trying to decide what he really wanted.

  Ever since he was a kid, he knew he wanted to grow flowers for a living. He loved cultivating the earth, adding some beauty into a world that could be so dark and ugly. Flowers were amazing plants. Some could heal you, some could kill you, and some could brighten up a person’s day or warm a heart in pain. They were fragile but also resilient. The seeds of last year’s blooms gave life to the next year’s. They were pollinators, which helped the ecosystem.

  No matter what, he knew he was meant to protect and cultivate these precious petals that did so much for the world around them. But he always assumed that work would take place far away from the city. He’d never imagined himself living in a metropolis. When he first arrived in Denver, he had no idea how he was going to last six months. And now…dammit if the city hadn’t grown on him.

  Then there was Gran.

  As much as it pained him to admit, no matter how much he tried to persuade her, he knew his grandmother would never leave the city. She’d made that crystal clear. Honestly, he didn’t blame her. This was her home. All her friends were here. How selfish it had been of him to try and uproot her from her life simply because he wanted to take care of her on his terms.

  He crouched, scooping up a bit of the earth in his hand and letting the rough grains of dirt sift through his fingers. It was a nice plot of land. He could see himself growing beautiful flowers here, helping Gran out with the shop now and then, maybe finding a place close to the farm but not directly in the heart of the city. His goal hadn’t been the location, but the dream itself. His own flower farm. Who cared if he did it out past civilization or just on the cusp of Denver?

  But can I see myself with her?

  Mo.

  Even thinking about the woman dredged up so many mixed feelings, he felt like he was drowning. He’d never cared so much for someone before. Which was probably why her keeping secrets pained him so much. After having a few days to think it over, he could look at it with more rationality. The harsh rush of emotions had settled, and he could see the facts of the situation. Yes, she’d lied to him, but it wasn’t malevolent. She’d been keeping a promise to his grandmother, and he knew Agatha Porter would hold a person to a promise. He also knew Mo wasn’t the type of person to betray a trust. She’d been stuck between a rock and a hard place. Though he wished she would have come to him, told him everything, he understood why she hadn’t. But maybe they could work through this, promise to be more open in the future. Because he realized he wanted a future with Mo. Desperately.

  It wasn’t just that he cared for Mo. He loved her.

  He never thought he would love anyone, much less an optimistic, energetic, extroverted ball of chaotic energy who put pineapple on her pizza. But life was funny like that, always throwing in curve balls just when you thought you’d figured it out. Mo had crashed into his life and changed it. For the better. She’d made him look at things from new angles. If it hadn’t been for her, he never would have seen the side of the city he enjoyed. It was because of Mo he was considering taking Gran up on her offer of running her new flower farm.

  But what did that mean for them?

  He’d never been in love before. There was no roadmap for this kind of thing. But he knew one thing: he couldn’t go back to his solitary life. Not after he’d experienced the richness that having someone who cared for you could bring. All he’d ever wanted as a kid was to be important to his parents. When they didn’t show him the love he craved, he shut down, blocked himself off. But maybe that was partially his fault; maybe he should have taken what they could give instead of demanding everything.

  You couldn’t be the sole focus of someone’s world. Life didn’t work that way. He got that now. But you could face the world with someone by your side, someone you trusted to have your back to give you what you needed even when you thought you needed something else. Someone who loved you with everything in them. Someone who compromised and met you in the middle.

  Someone like Mo.

  He rose, determination warming his chest. He knew what he had to do now to get his dreams, his life, and the woman he loved.

  …

  Mo stepped up to her apartment door after the longest day in history. Seriously, had the clock ticked slower knowing she was watching it? All day she’d been going over what she wanted to say to August in her mind. Planning the perfect apology that would have the man scooping her into his arms and proclaiming his undying love for her no matter how badly she messed up.

  Yes, she let her imagination run wild, but it could happen.

  She hoped.

  She fit her key in the lock, hands shaking slightly. Nerves were getting the better of her, but she knew she had to do this. She had to fight for love, for August. She’d always believed in the power of true love. Guess she was about to put her beliefs to the test.

  Agatha had given Mo the name of the hotel August was staying at, and she planned to head right over there after she took a quick shower and put on her most irresistible outfit.

  Had to use all the good luck in her arsenal.

  She turned the knob and opened the door. A po
werful floral scent hit her in the face as she stepped into the apartment. Mo felt her jaw drop as she stared around her home. Beautiful flowers were placed on every available surface. Reds, whites, yellows, purples, a rainbow of colors, some in fancy glass vases, others stuck in water glasses or coffee mugs. There were roses, daisies, dozens of others she couldn’t identify, even a Bird of Paradise with its colorful orange, blue, and purple petals sticking up in the air, beckoning her to come close.

  She came further into the apartment, letting the door close behind her. Her vision blurred as tears gathered in her eyes. Happy tears because there was only one person who would do something like this. One person who could gather a cornucopia of blooms in one place for—

  “Hey, Sunshine.”

  She turned toward the kitchen area to see August sitting at the table. He had a single flower in his hand, a large green stem with a cluster of tiny star-shaped purple petals forming a kind of bell shape. She’d seen the flower used in some weddings before but had no idea what it was.

  “August…I was just going to…what are you doing here?” She was flustered. She never got flustered. Guess love did weird things to people.

  “Did you know that the Victorians used to use flowers as a means of covert communication?”

  She shook her head, for once in her life words escaping her.

  He gave a small smile. “Flowers have always had deeper meaning attached to them.”

  August stood, keeping the purple flower tightly in his grip as he moved around the room, pointing out each bloom and offering an explanation.

  “Bird of Paradise,” he said, his smile widened, dimples peeking. “Joyfulness. Because I’ve never met anyone in my life as filled with happiness as you, Mo.”

  She covered her mouth when a sob threatened to break free. Now was not the time to become a blubbering mess. She didn’t want to miss a word of what he said.

  He pointed to a bright yellow flower with black tick marks on the inner petals. “Alstroemeria for friendship. You offered me your friendship the moment we met, you didn’t even know me, but you were willing to extend a hand. You took a guy who hated the city and found parts of it he loved. You willingly tried cauliflower pizza because a friend asked you to. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Mo.”

  Her heart raced, emotions welling up inside, choking her with hope for what this all meant. What August was trying to say.

  He continued around the room, pointing and explaining as he went. “Daisies for cheerfulness, protea for change and courage, chrysanthemum for fidelity, camellia for passion and desire.” He stopped in front of a large vase of a dozen red roses. His eyes focused on her, gaze penetrating her very soul as he spoke. “Red roses for love.”

  That did it. Dropping her hands, she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his neck. The tears poured freely now, her heart bursting with love for this man.

  “I love you, August. I’m so sorry for keeping things from you. You have to believe I never meant to hurt you. I know I can be a bit of a bulldozer at times, always thinking what I’m doing is right for everyone, but I promise I only do it out of love, and I’ll try to be better about—”

  “Mo, Sunshine, hold on.” He chuckled, grasping her hips and setting her back so she could stare into his eyes. Eyes alight with love. “You didn’t let me finish.”

  She winced. “Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize.” He gave a small shake of his head. “For anything.”

  He brought up the hand that still had the purple flower in its grip, holding it out in front of her. It smelled so sweet. She had no idea what it was or what it meant, but she was sure August was about to tell her.

  “Purple hyacinth. To symbolize sorrow, regret, and forgiveness.” His brow furrowed, grip on her tightening. “I know you never would have withheld the things you did if you hadn’t been sworn to secrecy by Gran. I reacted badly because I was hurt and upset, but I know you would never intentionally hurt me. I felt left out. I know you would never purposely exclude me when from the moment I met you all you’ve ever done is try to include me in your life.”

  She laughed softly. No family was perfect. Not even hers. But if there was love there, things could work out. And she knew August and Agatha loved each other very much.

  “I’m sorry for how I acted. For the things I said.” His hand left her hip to come up and cup her cheek. “But most of all, I’m sorry that we couldn’t all be honest with each other. You, me, and Gran. I don’t want that to be our dynamic. I want to share everything with you, and when you keep something from me, I can trust it’s for a good reason.”

  She never wanted to keep anything from him in the first place. Mo was terrible at keeping secrets. She often told people way too much as it was.

  “I never meant to hurt you, August.”

  “And I didn’t mean to hurt you either, Sunshine.” He held the flower out to her. “I love you, Moira. Can you forgive me?”

  She smiled, wrapping her hand around his and tilting the flower toward him. “Only if you can forgive me, too?”

  With the gentle grasp he had on her jaw, he pulled her closer, dipping his head to capture her lips. She moaned into the sweetest kiss she’d ever received. A kiss full of love, forgiveness, full of promise for a future. One a few days ago she’d been terrified she’d never have.

  August pulled away, his smile so wide those dimples were out in full force.

  “So you and your grandmother are okay?” In addition to the pain she’d been suffering after their fight, Mo had been horrified that she’d caused a rift in Agatha and August’s relationship.

  “We’re solid.” He nodded. “But we are going to have to work on our open communication, me and Gran. Especially since we’re going into business together.”

  Her eyes widened as hope filled her chest. “Business together? Does that mean—”

  “Yes.” He interrupted holding up a finger. “I’m staying here to work the grow farm, but I’m doing it on my own terms.”

  He could do it on whatever terms he wanted. At the words “I’m staying here,” her heart burst with joy, and nothing could put a damper on it.

  “The loan is out. Gran doesn’t need that type of risk, and I won’t allow you to put yourself in jeopardy, either.”

  “But I’m willing to help.” She was willing to do just about anything for this man.

  “I know, because you’re a wonderful person who would give a stranger the coat off her back in a blizzard if it meant keeping them warm.”

  She would. She did once. But she’d only been a few blocks from home at the time, so it wasn’t like she got frostbite or anything, and the frazzled teen had left his coat at school. What was she supposed to do? Let the kid freeze? No way.

  “I’ve been saving for my own flower farm for years. I have a business plan all mapped out. I was just searching for the right place.”

  “And you found it,” she said with a smile.

  He brushed his mouth against hers again, warm breath tickling her lips as he said, “I found her.”

  Epilogue

  Four months later

  “If I fall and break my leg, Lilly is going to be pissed. Crutches aren’t a good look for a co-maid of honor.” Mo wobbled unsteadily as August guided her with his hands on her hips, maneuvering her as she walked with the blindfold covering her eyes.

  “Don’t worry, Sunshine.” His deep voice whispered in her ear. “I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”

  Warm joy spread through her entire body at his words. The six months August was supposed to be her roommate had come and gone, but thankfully the man himself was still here. They renewed the lease on her apartment, choosing to stay for another year while August got his flower farm up and ready. It would take some time to get the greenhouse ready and the land plotted out for all the different species of flowers he intended to grow.r />
  In addition to being the primary supplier for Porter’s Petals, he already had secured contracts with two other flower shops in the area and planned to sell at a few local farmers markets in the summer. Agatha had agreed to let Chris start working at the shop full-time to give herself a little break every now and then, which made August happy.

  Mile High Happiness was doing great, and the women were busy putting the last-minute details on Lilly and Lincoln’s wedding this upcoming summer. Agatha’s health had improved significantly since the surgery. The woman said she felt sixty again. She and her friend Patricia were even planning a girls’ trip to Vegas. A real one this time.

  Life still had its little hiccups every now and then, but Mo couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier. August was not who she thought she’d end up with, but she was so glad the universe was smarter than her. He was perfect for her. They were so different, but those differences meshed together. It caused them to try new things, view life from opposite angles. Being with August made her a better version of herself.

  “Can I take this thing off now?” she grumbled as she tripped over another rough spot on the ground.

  “Almost. Here, hold on.”

  Suddenly, she was scooped up into August’s arms. Snuggling into the warmth of his chest, she inhaled deeply. His scent wrapped around her, calming her like nothing else could. He paused, and she felt him jostle her slightly while she assumed he opened some kind of door, judging by the squeaking sound she heard.

  “Okay.” He gently set her back down on her feet, lifting the blindfold from her eyes. “Now.”

  She opened her eyes, blinking as the bright light of the day burned away the darkness she’d been in for the past twenty minutes. As her eyes focused and she glanced around, she gasped. They were inside the greenhouse on August’s flower farm, but unlike the last time she was here, it wasn’t just an empty building. Now the beautiful glass structure was filled with dozens of flowers and plants, and sprayer hoses lined the ceiling, dripping water onto the vegetation. Sweet floral scents filled the air, and a bed of river rocks made a path through the middle of the building.