Chapter 3
Chapter Three
ALICE
“Alice, where are we on the Banning wedding?” Leon asks.
Grabbing the clipboard hanging on the wall, I give it a quick scan. “Only the bridesmaids bouquets are left to do.”
“Perfect. Let’s get those wrapped up today so we can get them ready for delivery.”
“Will do.”
“And let me know what you want for lunch. Jacob is going to bring it by since we have our floral workshop tonight.”
“Where is he going?”
“The new ramen place on Fifth.”
My mouth waters at the thought of it. “I have been wanting to try it forever, but I haven’t been able to get in.”
Leon gives me a dazzling, white smile. His bald head shines bright under the overhead lights. Tattoos stretch down both arms under his red Enchanted Petals T-shirt. “You mean you can’t get your bestie to get you an in?”
I wave him off. “You know I would never bother him during the playoffs.”
“Honey, that man would do anything you asked him to.”
I smile as I set the clipboard down and head to the cooler in the back of the store to grab flowers to start work. “Just because you got married doesn’t mean everyone is loved up.”
“I can’t help it if I’m in the honeymoon phase and want everyone to be in love.”
“Leon,” I groan. “Please don’t try setting me up again.”
He waves me off. “I know, I know. You’d rather spend every night with your flowers than go out and enjoy life.”
“Hey,” I scoff. “I do not.”
“Really?”
With one quirk of an eyebrow, I know I’m made.
“Sue me that I’m better with flowers than people.”
“Because flowers don’t talk back.”
“More like flowers don’t care that I’m awkward.”
He laughs and strolls back to the office. Grabbing my apron off the hook, I grab a bundle of peonies and head to the workbench.
The perfume of flowers scents the air. Dried bouquets hang over the black-and-white diamond tiled floors. Refinished bookshelves line the walls that sell various candles and reed diffusers. Oversized buckets filled with fresh blooms take up the entirety of the main desk.
I get lost in my work, in finding the perfect colors to create a work of art. I create masterpieces for everyday life and moments to remember. This is why I love what I do. Why I have never wanted to do anything else in life.
The bell above the door chimes, pulling me away from the last bouquets I’m making. “Welcome to Enchanted Petals. How can I help you?”
“Hey, Froggie.” I peer around the tall bundle and smile.
“What are you doing here?” I wipe my hands and step out from behind the bench to see Declan. He’s twisting the Black Diamonds hat around on his head to face the back. In a pair of black joggers and a gray muscle tee, he’s the epitome of casual.
“Can’t I stop by and see you?”
“Declan, I saw you two days ago.”
He shrugs. “I know, but I’m bored.”
I smile. Of course he is. This is something I know about him. The first week or two of the offseason is always hard for him. Declan likes staying busy.
“Declan.” Leon comes out front from the back. “Congrats on the cup thingy.”
“Ugh.” Another new voice enters the fray. “Did he really just call it a ‘cup thingy’?”
Leon bats his eyelashes at his husband. A tall, older white man, his hair is a soft red with a few white strands peeking through.
“He really did.” Declan winces. “I don’t know how you married someone so anti-sports.”
Jacob looks at Leon. “It’s because he’s cute.
“Damn right I am.” Leon laughs. “Now, did you bring your cute husband and Alice lunch?”
Jacob sets a paper bag on the counter.
“Oh that smells delicious.” Plastic containers are pulled out of the bag, filled to the brim. “Thanks for picking this up. I’m starving.”
“If it weren’t for me, I swear you two would forget to eat most days.”
Opening the lid to the one with a big black A on the top, I breathe in the aroma of the broth and noodles. Grabbing the spork from the bag, I stick it into the bowl and take a heaping, hot bite. “Oh my God.”
“So ladylike,” Declan tells me.
“Let me see you do it then.” I hand over my utensil to him, savoring the sweet and salty taste of the noodles on my tongue.
“I actually did drop by for a reason.” Declan takes the proffered sort of spoon from my hand and takes his own bite. Of course he slurps it up in one easy bite. The cocky smile he gives me tells me he knows it too.
“What’s that?” I ask, taking the container back and going back to eating. There’s no way I’m letting him have this.
“The guys invited me to go to Vegas with them.”
“Really? That’s great, Declan.”
He smiles at me. The real one. Not the one that he shows off to the public. The one just for me. “I want you to come with me.”
“What? I can’t do that.”
“Why not? Cash invited you. All of their wives and partners will be going.”
I roll my eyes at him as I set my spork down. “Exactly. Partners. I’m your friend, Dec.”
“Excuse me. Best friend.” His tone is firm—not to be argued with. “And I want you there with me.”
“I have work.”
Declan smirks at me. “I didn’t even tell you when it was.”
“I have a wedding coming up in two weeks that I have to get ready for. Bouquets and centerpieces don’t make themselves.”
“Please?” Declan whines, clasping his hands under his chin. “I don’t want to go alone.”
I swat at his chest. “You won’t be alone. You’ll have the guys there.”
“And that’s not you, Froggie.” He hops down off the counter and swivels his hat around toward the front. “I’ll send you the dates. Think about it, okay? I want you there.”
“Okay.”
The chime over the door rings out and he’s gone.
“Alice, honey. You have to go with him.” Leon appears at my side as if out of nowhere.
“Where’d you come from?” I jump, knocking my elbow into a metal pail of flowers.
“Eavesdropping, obviously.”
“Leon.” I smack him in the chest and grab the stray flowers from the bucket and return to making my arrangements. “I cannot go to Vegas.”
“Alice. Honey.” Leon grabs my hand. “You never do anything for yourself.”
“I do—”
“Do not argue with me. All you do is work. You need to live a little. When that sexy man asks you to go to Vegas, you don’t think. You say yes.”
“Leon. Declan is my best friend.” Nothing like puking all over someone to bond you for life.
Ever since freshman year in college, Declan has been one of the most important people in my life.
I hated it when he was drafted by Nashville.
I tried to see him as often as I could, but working at a flower shop didn’t lend for a lot of days off.
Especially during wedding season. Which turned into the holidays.
Which turned right back into wedding season.
Never a dull moment in the flower business.
Now that he’s back in Denver, it’s easy. I see him more often than I don’t.
“And if I had a best friend that looked like him, I’d be married to him.”
“I don’t think Jacob would appreciate that.”
“Please. He is my best friend. That’s why they say you should marry them.”
I quirk a brow at him. “They say that? Who’s they?”
“Doesn’t matter. Look, I will help you get caught up before you go, because you’re going. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Ugh. You and Declan gang up on me too easily.”
Leon drops a kiss to my cheek. “It’s because we love you and want you to break out of your shell. Or…bud I should say.”
“Har har. Aren’t you funny with the flower puns.”
“What can I say?” Leon bumps his shoulder into mine. “I’m funny. Now, get to work on these flowers. I need them done before you go to Vegas.”
Ugh. There is no way that I’m getting out of this now. I’ve never been a big Vegas girl. Hell, a big partier for that matter. One too many drinks in college led to meeting Declan. I don’t think I’ll get that lucky again.
But he’s my best friend, and I really can’t say no to him. If he wants me in Vegas for a celebration of them winning, I’ll be there.
Besides, it’s Vegas. What’s the worst that could happen?