A wistful expression crossed Maeve’s face. “I bet.” In the blink of an eye, she straightened her spine and pointed her fork at me. “Nice deflection. Back to you.”
I absolutely loved these ladies. Laughing, I said, “I didn’t deflect. You’re just easily distracted.” I finished my pancakes and took a sip of coffee. “Since I’m at the station more than he is, I’ve been trying to collect the info that Wes needs without anyone seeing.”
“Ooh, sounds fun. Like you’re a spy or something,” Maeve said.
“That’s exactly what it feels like.” I grinned. “I just hope I can do something to help Luke out.”
“And… we’re back to Luke. Why don’t you just ask him out?” Claire asked.
They didn’t get it. Luke was one of my best friends. That wasn’t something that I took lightly. If I ruined our friendship, I would be devastated. I would rather have him in my life as a friend than not have him at all.
Sheila came by to drop off the check and clear the dirty plates just as Veda started crying.
“Well, that’s my cue. I have to get out of here so I can feed her and then pick up Jane,” Maeve said. She reached for the check, but I stopped her.
“My treat. I invited you out for breakfast. I’ve got it.”
I paid the bill, and we all left together. It was a beautiful September day, the sun shining bright, the leaves just starting to subtly change colors. It was the perfect day for a new bunch of flowers for my apartment.
After saying goodbye to Claire and Maeve, I walked back to my car. A piece of paper was folded beneath my windshield wiper. As I picked it up, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Luke: I just wanted to say again, great work yesterday. Wes said thank you, too. He’s reviewing everything now and he’ll let me know if anything jumps out at him.
I read Luke’s message as I got into the car. I threw the note in the storage compartment under the infotainment system while I texted Luke back.
Me: Happy to help! Do you think it will lead to anything?
Luke: Who knows anymore.
Luke: What are you up to today since you’re clearly not working. I have to listen to Brimley’s awful mumbling over the radio all damn day.
Me: Just finished breakfast with Maeve and Claire. Now I’moff to Daisy Days to get something pretty for myself.
Luke didn’t respond right away. I used the lull in conversation to navigate out of my parking spot and over to the flower shop. My phone lit up with a message, but luckily, it was only a three-minute drive, so I didn’t have to wait long to open it.
Luke: Do they sell mirrors there? I thought that was a flower shop.
I could feel my face warming up, and a silly grin spread across my cheeks. It was like baby flirtations, but I didn’t care. I would take any scrap he was willing to give me, even if he was only being nice. I sent him back the blushing emoji before pocketing my phone.
No one was at the counter when I walked into Daisy’s shop. A mix of floral scents filled the air. Where some people may have thought it was too much, I loved everything about it. Daisy’s premade arrangements were darker and deeper than her summer arrangements. She used the autumn palette with such skill that each individual bouquet held a piece of the changing season.
“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Daisy startled me, coming out of the backroom with more material and flowers. I tried to school my features, wiping the smile off my face, but I couldn’t do it.
“Your shop always puts me in a good mood,” I told her.
“Ha. Liar,” she laughed.
Dammit. I really couldn’t lie to save my life.
“I’m not lying. This place is one of my favorite places in all of Calla Bay.”
“Aw. Thanks,” she preened. “But that’s not what’s got you smiling like a silly goose.”
I changed the subject, not wanting to get into the detailsall over again. I’d barely made it out of my last conversation about Luke with my sanity.
“Do you have any time today to help me build a floral arrangement for my apartment?” I asked. “If not, I’m happy to grab one of the premade ones.”
“Of course. You came at the perfect time. I was just about to get started on a new project, but it can wait.” She moved her flowers aside, putting them in small buckets of water by her workstation. “What did you have in mind?”
