Page 11 of Coming Up Roses
“What’re they like as people? Aside from badass business ladies?”
I laugh. My friend is right. Olivia and Violet are badass. And some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met.
“They’re so nice,” I say. “I don’t think they have any nastiness in them. Olivia’s so level-headed for her age especially considering what she’s had land on her plate. I haven’t spentmuch time with Violet yet. She keeps herself busy looking after everyone.”
“How do you mean?”
“From what it sounds like, Violet is essentially everyone’s mum. She’s Olivia’s actual mum and has kind of adopted Dallas and Katie and Flynn as her own. She spends a lot of time with Sadie.”
“Speaking of Dallas and Sadie …” Emily trails off.
“I saw her today,” I whisper, my voice coming out thicker than I expected. Tears sit along my lashes. I’ve cried too much today already so I blink them back.
Emily’s face goes soft. “How was it?”
“Perfect,” I say, pushing the word through the block in my throat. “She’s perfect, Em.”
“Did you meet the new girlfriend?”
“Katie. No, not today. I think she made herself scarce on purpose.”
“Scared of you?” Emily raises an eyebrow. I know she’s standing up for me, but it’s totally unnecessary.
“Em, you know it’s not like that. I’m happy for Dallas. He’s doing really well. I think she stayed away so she didn’t overwhelm me.”
Emily hums. “Maybe. I’m reserving judgement. Any cute guys? Aside from Dallas?”
I roll with the subject change. Emily’s always flitted from one conversation topic to another, no segue needed. Unfortunately before I have a chance to say no, my brain conjures an image of Flynn. His auburn curls falling over his forehead, thelight dusting of freckles on his nose, the way he looked down at me with such concern and care in his hazel eyes.
“No. And I’m not here for that,” I say, stopping my thoughts before they stray to the feel of Flynn’s hands on my shoulders as he talked me down from my panic attack.
“There’s someone though,” Emily says, a knowing smirk curling her lips. “Don’t think I didn’t see that.”
“There’s no one, Em. I’m here for Sadie. Nothing else. I’ve got this amazing job and I’m going to work my ass off and prove to Dallas and Sadie and everyone else that I’m better, that I can do this, that I’m here for Sadie andnothingelse.”
“You’re allowed to have some fun, Abi. Don’t forget that.” A high-pitched screech comes through the phone speaker. “Shit. Cody just fell off his bike. Talk soon. Love you. Bye.”
She ends the call before I have a chance to respond and I return to my dinner, thinking about what she said.
I don’t know what expression crossed my face when Flynn came to mind. But whatever it was, it doesn’t mean anything. He’s just a pretty face with an even prettier smile.
I’m here for Sadie and nothing is going to stop me making up the past three years to her.
6
FLYNN
“Doyou ever cry because you’re happy?”
“What?” Dallas stops where he’s connecting the rippers to the back of the tractor.
“Do you ever cry because you’re happy?” I repeat. It’s been over a week since Abigail started and I can’t get her tears out of my mind.
“Umm, not really, no.”
“Does Katie?”
“That woman cries at the drop of a hat, over anything. She’s always crying, so I hope it’s not always because she’s sad.”
