by Staci Hart
I smiled back and told her the truth. “There’s no way I’m better than Mrs. Bennet.”
“You’re at least equal in my book. Would you teach me something?” she asked earnestly.
Though I wanted to run, there was nowhere to go. So I said, “I’ll show you what I know.”
And with my stomach sick and twisted, I showed the one woman Luke had ever loved my secrets, all except one.
LUKE
I couldn’t stop smiling.
It was like my teeth were greased, my cheeks aching as I pulled up in the delivery truck.
Tess was inside—that was reason one. Reason two was that she was not only inside, but had agreed to be mine. Reason three was that I had something to tell her.
Something big.
After my last delivery, I’d run to a meeting after getting a text from a buddy I used to bartend with. His sister worked for Floral magazine, and I’d hit him up, asking for a meeting, which he’d delivered in the form of an ambush at a coffee shop. An elevator pitch and our Instagram feed—that was all it had taken to get her to agree to another meeting, a real meeting, one that could end in a feature. A cover feature, if I could manage it.
Tess might have been right. Mom might actually have a heart attack.
Now that I’d convinced Tess to date me, my new life mission was to manage that cover feature.
I killed the engine and popped open the door, waving at my Dad and Kash as I bounded toward the shop.
Toward Tess.
I wanted to see the look on her face when I told her, wanted the kisses she’d grant me after, wanted to spin her around and hear her laugh and to share this feeling with her. Her, before my mom or my siblings, before anybody in the world, I wanted to tell her.
I threw open the swinging doors to the workroom like the goddamn King of Siam.
“Tess,” I called, scanning the workroom. “You’re never gonna believe—”
The words died in my throat, my smile gone for the first time in twenty-four hours.
There was Tess, looking at me like a sheep that just realized she stood in the slaughterhouse, her eyes big and brown and too deep to fathom. And Ivy, who cut a scowl in my direction.
And Wendy. Standing next to Tess. Smiling at me like she hadn’t seen me in a decade and had missed every minute.
I stared at them like I was looking at a crime scene, the details sharp and screaming—Tess’s shock and worry, the stillness of the room, the hope in Wendy’s eyes. And then I found myself, slapping a smile back on my face.
New-new mission: defuse whatever the fuck was happening here and get Wendy the hell out of the shop. Immediately.
“Well,” I started, schooling my voice for maximum amiability, “you are about the last person I expected to see today.”
“Luke,” she breathed, her smile relieved and eyes shining as she stepped around the table.
My eyes flicked to Tess, but she was looking down, her lips pursed and brows together. I had a suspicious, sick feeling that she was trying not to cry.
Wendy floated across the room like the fucking angel of death, and before I knew what was happening, we were hugging. Her arms were around my waist, her face buried in my chest like it had been a thousand times before. The familiarity struck me, but there was no comfort, only a rush of aversion.
But I hugged her around the shoulders with the briefest of squeezes before using my retreat to grasp her shoulders and peel her off of me.
Tess had turned away, the back of her hand swiping at her face.
“What are you doing, Wendy?” I asked quietly, my jaw tight.
Wendy beamed up at me. “I … I wanted to see you. Did Laney tell you I was back?”
“She did.” My gaze drifted back to Tess, who was whisper-arguing with Ivy. “Hey, why don’t we take a walk?”
“I’d like that,” she answered.
I offered a curt smile and started for the front of the shop, my eyes on Tess. “I’ll be right back,” I said, hoping she heard the apology and reassurance in my voice.
Tess tried to smile but looked away. She looked like she felt ashamed, foolish. And I mentally cursed a roaring tornado of obscenities.
Jett and I had a full conversation as I passed that consisted of a lot of What the fucks and I have no fucking clues and a solid, Don’t tell Mom.
I pushed the door to the shop open to the sound of the little bell, and Wendy exited the building.
Thank fucking God.
She smiled up at me. “Where do you want to go?”
I didn’t answer, just started walking in the direction of the park. “What do you need, Wendy?” It wasn’t cold, nor was it rude. But there was no invitation in the words.
“I … I just … when we last spoke, it was … tense.”
“How is your boyfriend, by the way?”
“We broke up.” She stopped, snagging my elbow. “I’m sorry to just stop by. I just really needed to see you.”
I sighed, running a hand over my face. “It’s not good for me to see you, and there’s nothing left to say.”
“LA’s not the same without you, Luke. We … we moved there together, were married there together.”
“Got divorced there.”
A frown, slight though it was. “I didn’t want to be there without you, so I came home. I missed you.”
My eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”
She huffed. “Nothing, okay? Everything … everything feels fucked up. And when things feel fucked up, it’s always your face I want to see.”
Another sigh, this one controlled, my jaw tight, the muscle bouncing. “Are you all right? Do you need anything?”
She shook her head, looking down. “No. It’s not like that. I just needed a familiar face.”
“You can’t just show up like this. Not after everything.”
She was still looking at her feet. “I’m sorry. It’s just that … I feel like I’ve lost everything.” The words broke with a sob as her hand moved to her face.
And with a third sigh, this one resigned, the doubt I’d had about her sincerity was gone. I stepped into her, pulled her in for a hug, let her cry for a minute.
Because I understood. She didn’t have anyone—she’d selectively pushed and pulled everyone in her life toward and away like a never-ending yoyo. Her father was largely absent, and her mother existed between cycles of benders and hangovers. Not everyone could handle Wendy, certainly not her parents, and everyone else had left, unwilling to love her enough to shoulder the burden of times like these.
I was Wendy’s constant. And whatever had happened triggered her, which meant she was either teetering on the edge of a downswing or about to manipulate me.
I’d keep my eyes open for the latter because I couldn’t ignore the former.
She backed away, swiping at her face. “God, I’m sorry.”
“What happened?”
Wendy laughed through a sob. “I should have quit dating Hollywood executives. Among other things I should have quit doing.” She took a breath and straightened up, smiling a little brighter. “You know, you’ve always been able to make me feel better.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
She smiled, a small, sad expression. And with her hand on my arm, she stretched to kiss me on the cheek. “You were here,” she said quietly, backing away. “Can I text you?”
My lips flattened. “If you need to.”
She nodded. “Thank you,” she said and turned to walk away.
I stood on the sidewalk and watched her go, wondering why the hell she couldn’t have stayed on the other side of the country where she belonged. The sight of her was a shock I hadn’t expected.
One I hadn’t prepared Tess for.
Tess.
I picked up my feet, hurrying for the shop with my mind on her. By the time I reached the door, I was buzzing, humming with anticipation, an apology rolling through my head on a loop.
I didn’t even know what I needed to apologize for. I cou
ldn’t control Wendy any better than I could control the weather. But my guilt ran deep—for her presence, for whatever she’d said to Tess. For marrying her. For not walking away. For my sense of duty.
More than anyone, I wished to be able to turn my back on that.
I wound through the store, hurrying into the back, but she was gone. Ivy’s eyes were sad, her face drawn.
My heart hit my shoes.
“She’s in storage,” was all she said.
And I took off before she was even finished speaking. I didn’t register my dad and brother, though their disappointment weighed heavy on me as I passed. Not in me. For me.
For Tess.
And that was all that mattered—Tess.
I found her down in storage, in our corner. She faced the wall, her hand over her mouth and shoulders small.
“Tess.” I begged the word, and she turned, startled.
Her face shone with tears that she wiped away, straightening her spine, meeting my eyes.
I stepped into her, wanting nothing more than to pull her into my arms. But I didn’t for fear she’d push me away.
She swallowed hard, her brows knit together. “What does she want?”
“I don’t know for sure. She … she’s a little lost, I think, and I’m always the one she comes to when she’s trying to find her way.” I took another step. “Please, don’t cry, Tess.”
Her face bent, casting her gaze to her shoes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.”
That was all the permission I needed. I scooped her into my chest, cupped the back of her head to hold her close. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I whispered into her hair.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” She sniffled and said against my chest, “God, I’m so ridiculous. You haven’t even been my boyfriend for a day, and here I am, blubbering.”
“Well, Wendy always did have a knack for making people cry,” I teased and was met with a wan laugh. “And I think I’ve been your boyfriend for a couple weeks now even if you didn’t.”
She chanced a look up at me. “It was easy to forget about her, thinking she was so far away. She was just a story in your past, not a person in your present. But you were married. Married. And she’s so pretty and charming and just like you.”
I sobered, my voice low. “I’m nothing like her. Tess, you’ve got to understand that she and I are complicated at best. But I don’t want her. I want you. And part of the reason I want you is because you’re nothing like her. You would never cheat on me, lie to me. Use me. Those lines, once crossed, cannot be uncrossed.”
She nodded, but her eyes were still unsure.
I captured her chin in my thumb and forefinger. “You, Tess Monroe, are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known. Every little freckle, every little smile. Every hair on your head and curve of your body—especially this one.” I gave her ass a squeeze with my free hand, eliciting a chuckle. “You are perfect. And I’m irresponsible and unreliable.”
“And hedonistic,” she added.
“Yes, which I recall you enjoying.” Another laugh. “I don’t want somebody like me. I want somebody like you.”
Her sigh of concession and relief was coupled with a smile. “Kiss me,” she commanded.
And so I did, well and thoroughly.
The kiss broke when the news I’d been hanging on to wouldn’t stay put anymore.
“I had a very interesting meeting today,” I said, my hands clasped in the small of her back, keeping her flush against me.
“Oh, yeah?”
“With a junior editor at Floral magazine.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
“She’s interested in featuring us.”
Her face shot open like a sunbeam. “Luke …” she breathed.
“I know. She took one look at the pictures you took and was sold. It’s all because of you.” My heart doubled in size as I gazed into her face. “You’ve found a way to show the whole world what this shop is, what it means to us. I can make Mom’s dream come true.”
Her hand untwined from my neck and cupped my jaw, her face soft and open.
“So get ready,” I said with a sideways smile. “Because I’m about to get us on the cover of the biggest floral magazine in America.”
She laughed, leaping to grab me around the neck, and I lifted her up and spun her around, just like I’d imagined. When her feet were on the ground, I snagged her hand to take her to my mother.
And we ran away with our hopes high and our dreams in tow.
16
GOLD DIGGER
LUKE
The store was empty and quiet as Tess and I walked to the front that night, the day done and shop closed.
“You sure you don’t want to come to dinner?” I asked. “Mom won’t mind, especially after today. I’m sure she has a million things to talk to you about.”
“Another time. I’ve barely seen Dad, and I’d love to cook him a fresh meal instead of one he has to reheat.”
I pulled her to a stop, tugged her to bring her into the circle of my arms. “You’re a good daughter, you know that?”
She flushed, smiling. “Every once in a while, I figure I do something right.”
“Tell your dad I’ve got supplies being delivered tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow night we can have dinner at your place with your dad, and I can make sure everything’s in place to get started?”
A nod and a small smile were my only answer.
“You sure you’re okay with the renovation?”
An identical nod and smile told me the truth was no.
I frowned. “I really think you should tell your dad. He wouldn’t change the house if he knew it upset you.”
“I know he wouldn’t, which is why I can’t say anything.” She wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed. “I trust you, Luke. And I want what Dad wants. Don’t worry … I’ll be fine.”
“You always are. But you don’t have to be. You know that, right?”
“I’ve heard it once or twice,” she said with a sidelong smile.
I chuckled and kissed her nose. “Meet you back here after dinner. Let’s get the installation brainstormed out so I can start building.”
“Deal. And bring your appetite.”
One of my brows rose. “You bringing dessert?”
“Yes, in the form of black lace.”
I kissed her smirking lips for a long moment before letting her go with regret. “Let’s go. Sooner we get this over, the sooner I get my treat.”
Out we went, locking up the shop behind us. With a fleeting kiss, we parted in front of my parents’ stoop. Well, she parted. I leaned against the rail and watched her, waving when she looked back.
I didn’t go inside until she was gone.
The din of my family met me as I closed the city noise out behind me. Marcus and Dad sat silently at the table—Dad with his paper, Marcus with his phone—and when I entered the room on my way to the noisy kitchen, they gave me identical nods. The kitchen was a bustle of motion and sound. Kanye rapped “Gold Digger” from the portable speaker next to Edie’s thigh on the counter as she shimmied her shoulders. Jett laughed from the stove, pushing dinner around in a pan as Kash and my mother engaged in a rap battle in the breakfast nook.
Mom was winning. And when she got to the prenup part and shouted, Eighteen years! Kash broke down laughing so hard, he lost on the spot.
“Thank you, thank you,” Mom said, curtsying before expectantly holding her knotted hand out to Kash.
He flipped through his wallet, retrieved a five, and laid it in her palm. “You earned that,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.
Mom flushed, giggling. “Beating you at rap battles since 2002.”
Kash shook his head. “You’re the reason we can’t play Sorry, you know.”
She shrugged, tucking the fiver in her back pocket. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kassius Bennet.”
Laney laughed. “She gives a whole new meaning
to the word.”
Jett snorted. “Her sorry comes when she flips the board.”
“You’re the reason we’re all so competitive,” I said with a smirk. “Except Dad. He’s thrown every game he ever played.”
“That’s because your father knows something very important,” Mom stated matter-of-factly, pausing for dramatic effect. “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
Laughter filled the room. Mom stepped into me to give me a hug.
“My boy, how are you?” she asked sweetly. “I can’t believe you managed a meeting with Floral! You make magic without even trying, don’t you?”
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Anything for you.” I kissed the top of her head.
Jett transferred a pot of rice to a serving bowl and handed it to Laney. “You’ve pulled some stunts, but a prospect for a magazine article? I’m impressed.”
“They want to come by next week and scope the shop out. Tess and I are working on an installation tonight.”
“I bet you are.” Kash made a lewd gesture at me from behind Mom.
I gave him a look.
“You two are working so hard,” Mom fussed, letting me go to look up at me. “You’re at the shop every morning before it opens and every night after it’s closed. You really deserve some time off your feet.”
Laney snickered, heading to the dining room. “Oh, I’m sure they’re getting plenty of time on their backs.”
“I don’t see how,” Mom said, completely unaware. “I’m going to make you stay home to rest one of these days—you watch me.”
“Oh, don’t do that, Mom.” Jett handed another bowl, this one full of steaming broccoli, to Kash. “I think it might be more punishment than reward.”
Mom laughed, completely oblivious. I razed Jett to the ground solely with the power of my mind.
“I never imagined Luke would become a workaholic,” she said, laughing softly and reaching for my face. “And here I thought you didn’t even particularly like the flower shop. Now I can’t keep you out of it.”
A dish of meat was thrust in my direction, and Jett laid a smirking look on me. “He’s in it all right.”
