“You’ve always wanted to see blue water.”
Her arms dropped to her side. Peter knew exactly what to say to win her over. He walked past the flower-cutting station and leaned on the counter. “The sunset will be the second most beautiful thing on that beach.”
Peter, you romantic. I kept my distance, wanting to see how their disagreement played out. I rooted for Peter and his over-the-top plan. Marigold might have been resistant, but as her frown vanished, the glimmer in her eye returned.
“Do you really want to renew our vows?”
A destination wedding? I wanted to shake Marigold. I was still coming off my high with Simon, and now this? If my heart grew any bigger, I was going to cry happy tears.
“Marigold, my love…” He held onto the counter as he attempted to get down to his knee. He waved me over to give him a hand. I supported his weight until he reached the floor. “Every night I go to sleep, I look forward to waking up. It’s another day with you.”
Yup. Tears welled up in the corner of my eyes.
“In my head, I renew my vows to you every day.”
Marigold stepped around the counter, knocking a bouquet of wildflowers to the floor. She dropped to her knees in front of Peter and gave him frantic kisses. If Iwasn’t caught up in the sweetness of the event, I’d have felt like a voyeur.
“Fine. I’ll buy a bathing suit.”
Had her entire protest been about buying a bathing suit? I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity. At the same time, I noted my envy. It might have been a foolish argument, but it’s one only a couple could have. I wanted to have spats fueled by devotion.
“Two piece?”
She smacked him in the chest. “Now you’re pushing your luck, mister.” We helped him to his feet. “Jason, I’m sorry you had to see him act a fool.”
“No apologies necessary.” If anything, their argument made it clear I had relationship on the brain. Her hand rested on the counter, and Peter inched his closer until his pinky touched her finger. The subtle gesture continued, pulling at my heartstrings. “I came by to see about the gift certificate for the raffle?”
Her hands went in the air as if she were possessed. “Oh, yes! I almost forgot.” She moved flowers around on the counter, digging about. “It’s somewhere in here.”
Peter gave me a slight elbow to the gut. “What’s this I hear about a date?”
The alarms had been sounded. By noon, Firefly Valley would have an assembly on the green, loudspeakers giving updates on my love life. They’d call me on stage and open it up to questions from the crowd. I loved them all, but I’d like to keep this thing with Simon under wraps untilIfigured it out.
He pointed at my face. “The smile is all I need to know.” Their gossip came from a good place. If I had a victory to celebrate, I’m sure Peter would throw me a parade. “Speaking of,” he said. “We need to have you come to the Gay-Straight Alliance and talk to the kiddos again.”
“Always happy to come in and chat.”
He gave me a pat on the shoulder as Marigold raised an envelope in the air. “Found it! I hope this helps.”
When they found out Firefly would have a comic convention, they were the first people to volunteer. While flowers didn’t quite make sense as a vendor, it didn’t stop Marigold from pitching in. They donated to the raffle and offered to help run the event. They were the epitome of Firefly, and having their support meant the world to me.
She handed me the envelope. “I can’t say thank you enough, Marigold. You’ve both been wonderful.”
With a swat at my chest, she dismissed my gratitude. “Anything to help you.”
“I’ll stop by when we know exactly what we’ll need on the big day. Right now, everything is going according to plan.” Even as I said it, I feared I might have jinxed the event. I gave a quick knock on the counter.
“Stay out of trouble,” she said.
“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” Peter added.
I gave them a wave as I exited the shop. I couldn’t wait to tell Amanda about Marigold and Peter’s vow renewal. Their gentle warfare brought a smile to my face. There were things about Firefly I loved. If I ever left, I’d be surrendering those tender moments.
The urge to leave had subsided. Part of the reason might be because of a handsome man catching my attention. I wasn’t foolish enough to stay for a potential relationship, but it fell on my considerations list. Simon had gone from a fantasy to a daydream, but who knew where it’d take us?
I paused outside Marigold’s, smelling the potted plants. I knew it was my mind playing tricks, but every bloom smelled sweeter. Even downtown felt more vibrant. It might have something to do with?—
“Jason!”
