12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
ANGIE
Blooms was the cutest little shop I’d ever seen. I breathed in the sweet smells of the flowers as I walked around. There was a woman helping a man looking to get flowers for his wife. With how knowledgeable the woman sounded, I assumed she was the owner.
It didn’t take long for her to finish up and send the guy walking out the door with a love-filled smile on his face.
“Hi. Can I help you?” she said as she came out from behind the counter.
“Yeah. I’m Angie Mitchell.”
She tilted her head, studying my face.
“I’m the new hotel manager at Charming Tides.”
“Oh. Yes.” She beamed. “Blanche told me she hired someone to run the place.”
“It’s a shame she’s not here to learn from. I was really impressed when I interviewed with her.”
“Yeah, we were all shocked by her death.” She glanced around at the flowers before refocusing back on me. “But I can definitely help you. I’ve been helping Blanche with flower arrangements for the hotel for many years.”
“Okay, I need some for the lobby as well as an employee luncheon we’re having tomorrow.”
I listened intently as she made her suggestions. I agreed we needed bright colors to match the palette of the lobby and mild scents for the tables in the staff lounge. After inquiring about what calming scents she would suggest for the hotel check-in desk, her face lit up with a smile.
“I can see now why Blanche said you were going to be perfect.”
I couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped through my lips. “She kept saying that to me too, but I don’t really know why.”
“Because that place needs a creative, detailed touch. Someone who will continue to keep the heart that Blanche put into it. And just listening to you talk, I can see how she recognized the passion she’d been hoping for.”
I followed her to the register as she took a few notes for the order. “I’ll give you the invoice now to pass along to Wyatt, and I can deliver all the flowers tomorrow morning if that works.”
“That’s perfect.”
After leaving the flower shop, I made a quick stop at Lil’s Sweet Treats to grab one of their amazing handmade chocolate platters and a box of chocolate almond bark for myself. I’d earned it after all the walking I’d done. The temperature was at least mild for March, but eventually I did need to get my car from back home.
I pushed through the door of the hotel and made my way to Wyatt’s office. I’d stash the chocolates in there until the luncheon. At least I knew no one would get into them.
I came out and found Steven behind the check-in counter. He picked up an envelope and handed it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked, turning it over.
“It’s from Wyatt.”
If it was another letter, I might scream. And poor Steven didn’t need that, so I stepped away to open it.
What the heck? It wasn’t a letter. It was a gift certificate to the spa in town. For an outrageous amount too. At the bottom was a note.
Take Wednesday off. Made you an appointment at 11a.m.
I’d had tons of shitty boyfriends. Bosses too. None of them would have ever thought to give me a gift card to a spa. Shaking my head, I put the paper back in the envelope and pulled out my phone.
Me: Thank you for the gift, but I can’t accept it. You need to let this go. I don’t need an “I’m sorry for kissing you” gift.
Wyatt: It’s for Employee Appreciation Day. Since you organized the luncheon, I wanted to do something else special for you.
Wyatt: Also, to be clear… I don’t regret kissing you. I’m sorry I can’t be everything you want or deserve. There’s a difference.
My cheeks heated, and I wanted so badly to ask him why he thought he couldn’t be everything I wanted and deserved. But I wasn’t doing that through text.
Me: Thank you for the gift. If I thought you’d listen, I’d tell you all the ways you’re so much more than what you think you are.
Me: And I don’t regret kissing you either.