Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Kill me now. Who thought it was a good idea to come here today? Not me.
“Oh, yes, that’d be amazing,” Eliza says in a sober voice, answering for us. “Can you give us the name? Amanda and I would love to check them out.”
They’re in cahoots already? I stifle a groan.
“We truly would,” Amanda adds.
“And I’ve been studying flower arranging, so I’ll help them,” Ally adds, her tone deadly serious now that she’s figured out the ruse.
It’s like Harriet the Spy and the Spy and the Spy. I could whistle in admiration if I didn’t also want to whisper to these troublemakers whose side are you on?
But my fake fiancé has other issues on his mind. “Articles as in media coverage?” Gage asks Felix.
“Yes. I have Silver Zanetti coming to the opening, among others.”
“The Dessert Devotee?” I ask, my voice pitching up at the mention of the wildly popular dessert influencer. She can make a shop. Double, triple, quadruple its business.
Gage shoots me a curious look. “Who’s that?”
“She reviews chocolates,” I rattle off at Mach speed. “She does these videos where she takes bites of chocolate and rates them, and they’re so popular.”
“For eating chocolate?”
Well, she does it really sensually, like she’s having a foodgasm, but I don’t say that in front of the kids. I just nod to Gage. “Yes.”
“That’s great,” he says to Felix.
“And many others are coming too. Lots of food press and lifestyle media. And the merch team will have their branded items on sale during the day in about a week, so be on the lookout for that, but sharing the shop should be easy. They don’t need more than shelf space during the day.”
“Piece of cake,” I say, like I’d deny him a thing.
Then Felix turns to the girls. “Kiss My Tulips is the name of the flower shop if you do decide to check it out.”
“We most definitely will,” Amanda says.
“Right after we get our boba,” Ally adds.
“And we should head over there now,” Eliza finishes.
Yes, leave, right away!
They wave, then spin around.
“If you go to Farm To Straw, tell them to put it on my tab. Felix Aguilar,” Felix calls out as they trot down the steps.
“Thanks, Felix,” Amanda says, and the girls disappear.
Felix is enchanted by the troublemaking trio, shaking his head in delight as they go. “They’re the best of friends,” he says to us.
Gage laughs. “No, they just—”
“They just are,” I correct, ready to stomp on his foot. “Isn’t it precious?”
Realizing his mistake, he quickly adds, “So precious. Just love it. Love it big time. One hundred percent.”
“You have a lovely family,” Felix says warmly. The dude is such a grandpa. His warm eyes travel to my hand. “Oh! What a beautiful ring. Is that—”
I’ve got this. “Yes! It’s vintage. Gage’s grandmother’s ring. We were having it sized, so I was wearing a silly little cocktail ring because I didn’t want to go without.”
“It’s a lovely family heirloom,” he adds, and whew—I’m glad I had that lie ready, though I still feel oily. Maybe oily is just my new normal. “And I personally think a New Year’s Eve wedding would be great. Stop by the flower shop anytime. We can handle everything.”
On that note, he leaves, returning to the interior of the hotel. Once he’s out of earshot, I slump against my fake fiancé. “That was…”
“A close call?” Gage finishes, wrapping his strong, capable arms around me.
“Yes, and are our kids actresses or what? They’ll be thanking the Academy before we know it,” I say, then rest my cheek against his shoulder. “I feel oily again.”
He sighs, full of understanding, but then his voice is strong, firm as he says, “Don’t, baby. Just don’t.”
It’s said with warmth and reassurance. Protectiveness too, and I try to let those guilty feelings ebb, especially since he called me baby instead of cupcake. He called me that, too, the first night we were together. It feels different than cupcake, and I’m not sure why.
All I know right now is that I don’t want to leave his arms.
He doesn’t let me go either. He’s quiet for a beat, stroking my hair gently. “Is this a fake fiancé benefit?” he whispers.
“A hug when you need it?”
“Yes.”
I smile against his solid frame. “Seems it is.”
A warm sigh. A comfortable silence. Then sweet words. “Good. I like this benefit.”
Me too.
19
A BAD IDEA
Elodie
A few hours later, the shop is spick-and-span, and Eliza and Amanda are besties. The older girls took Eliza to a pottery-making studio and are making bowls with cats on them or cat bowls. Or bowls shaped like cats. It’s not entirely clear, but they’re busy for a little longer with all things feline.
The blinds are down, so Gage and I were free to clean without being caged animals on display. As we survey the little space with the minimalist counter, and the simple tables, and the sound system, ready to play our curated playlists, we’re almost ready for Friday.