Chapter 9 Koren #2
“I told you. We have to talk about what happened last night.”
“Too late. I already forgot.” I quip, then rush to add, “What’s your name again?”
“Phew. Right?” He takes a left onto the highway, adjusting his speed. “You must have amnesia, because you clearly forgot I was your fiancé when you left the country. Maybe I should remind you, since you never actually broke up with me, and we’re technically still engaged.”
“Nope.” My lips bunch as I hold back the flood of things I want to say, but I give up on silence after only a second and go for a personal dig, “Since you never actually gave me a real ring, we never were engaged. Try again.”
I look out the window and blink hard. Even though the ring he gave me was merely a braided stem of lavender, it had been everything to me. It kills me to make light of it now. He can’t know how much he’s affecting me.
“Look, I’m only doing this to save Kaci’s wedding. We really don’t need to talk. Plus, for some reason I didn’t get much sleep last night. Just please close your mouth so I can sleep.” I lean my head against the window and shut my eyes.
He’s quick with his reply, “I can think of a way you can help me close my mouth.”
“You need help.” I’m equally fast in my retort. I open one eye and swat the back of my hand in his direction. “There.”
“That wasn’t what I was thinking.”
“You clearly weren’t thinking.”
“I wish I could stop thinking.” He passes a slow-moving car in the left lane, then swerves back into the right lane. “It’s like a tsunami in my head, and all I can think about is you, you, you.”
“Hmm. A tsunami. Really?” I give up trying to sleep with all his blubbering and open the other eye to stare out the window, pretending to be unbothered. “That sounds like a tragedy. You might need to see a doctor about that.”
“Oh, look.” He takes a right onto the exit ramp. “It’s our exit. This is going to be so much fun.”
“Fun?” I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Nothing about this feels fun. “Please don’t be cringe,” I mutter as he pulls the van to a stop in Garrison’s gravel parking lot.
I’m out my door, slamming it before he even kills the engine.
We meet at the entrance, and he slows his steps to grab the door first, aiming that half-crooked smile at me.
It’s the expression that used to drive me crazy.
I guess it still does. I rush to defuse anything before it starts.
“We’re grabbing flowers. That’s it. Don’t turn this into some weird sentimental reunion thing. ”
“Right. I totally agree.” He follows me inside. “Just two ex-fiancés shopping for wedding flowers.”
“Strike one.” I hold up a finger in correction. “I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to appeal to my emotional side. It’s not going to work.”
There must be a motion sensor on the door, because the greenhouse bell chimes as we cross the threshold.
I’ve spent my life in the floral business, and Garrison’s has always been the more budget-friendly option in town, specializing in garden plants.
We aren’t exactly competition, but I’ve never been here.
The humid air hits me first; I cringe, imagining what it’s doing to my hair.
The earthy aroma hits me next, and I’m compelled to take a deep breath.
“Elijah?” calls a voice from behind an unruly hanging fern.
“It’s been a while.” Garrison emerges with a simple smile.
“Last time I saw you, you two were about to be married. I remember it was August 1st, wasn’t it?
I marked it on my calendar and thought of you both when the day came.
The weather was perfect. Well, except for a short sprinkle in the morning, but they say that’s good luck, right? ”
Ice shoots through my veins, freezing me midstep. We had planned our wedding day and shared it with friends, but it’s been a while since anyone referenced it. My friends and family know better than to bring up that day. Elijah doesn’t even flinch. He chuckles softly. “You’ve got a memory.”
“Well, for you I do. I knew everything would be great.” He turns toward me, smiling wider. “I don’t believe we’ve officially met. I’m Garrison. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Koren. Elijah thinks the world of you. Would you like to see our fresh lavender stems?”
No. I don’t want to see them. I might actually stop breathing.
I force a pleasant-enough smile, steering clear of our relationship logistics.
“No. No lavender today. We’re here for someone else’s wedding.
You know I have the Petals and Promises Flower shop, and I’m handling the flowers for my sister’s wedding.
We’re low on Fire and Ice roses and low on time. Elijah recommended your roses.”
“Ah.” Garrison catches the cue. “Yes, we have a full stock. Elijah knows where everything is.” He gestures toward the back. “Make yourself at home.”
He’s such a sweet man, but my heart is pounding. I step forward, heading toward the flowers and hiss under my breath, “Seriously? How does he remember our wedding date?”
Elijah’s gaze slides to me, half-smiling. “He likes me. I was here a lot. I talked about you all the time.”
I guess it makes sense. Looking back, Elijah knew how much I loved flowers and often brought me bouquets. He never got them from our shop, as he always wanted them to be a surprise. I guess I never put two and two together.
Still on schedule, we beeline through the first row of plants. I’m scanning the blooms, muttering, “Look for red and yellow or sometimes they are whiteish.”
Elijah lifts a rose by the bloom, inspecting the petals. “What about Osiria roses? I doubt anyone will notice the color difference because they’re so pretty.”
I halt, pivoting sharply. “How do you know that name?”
Not looking up, he moves to the next bush, fully absorbed. “I learned it from years and years of listening to you.”
My throat clenches. I fight the rush of memories we’d made over the summers when he hung out with me at the shop.
Years before I officially worked there, I’d stay all day so my mom wouldn’t need to pay for a babysitter.
Elijah would show up in my driveway in the morning when we were leaving, and ride along.
He’d stay like he had nothing better to do, and my mom loved having him around because he was always willing to pitch in.
I grab the back of my neck and turn away, pretending to look for my roses, but my eyes blur.
There isn’t one part of my life that’s untouched by his memories.
We were so entwined, I can’t believe it hasn’t hit me before.
Probably because I was overseas, pretending none of this existed.
Now, being back here where we were together, my heart is splitting wide open.
He cups the velvet bloom like it’s precious. “I loved watching you care for the flowers.” He gently brushes the leaves aside, placing his finger on the stem.
“You still remember all of it?” I ask, emotion clogging my throat.
“I’m sure I’ve forgotten some things.” He meets my gaze. “But I kept the important ones where they belong.”
The air grows thick with tension. My bangs cling to my forehead from the warm, humid greenhouse air. I brush them away, using the gesture as an excuse to break eye contact.
“I have bouquets to finish, but I’ll need extras just in case,” I call to Garrison, who is still working with his fern.
I take the rose from Elijah, swallowing hard when our fingers brush.
Holding it up so Garrison can see what I want, I say, “Maybe two dozen of these, just to safe. I haven’t had time to inspect all the centerpieces yet. ”
Garrison pivots with his sheers in his hand. “I’ll get them wrapped right away.”
I let out a breath.
Not an easy one. It’s more like checking a single box on a long to-do list before I can breathe for real.
We step aside as Garrison gathers my roses. Elijah and I walk back down the too-narrow-for-my-comfort aisle. His shoulder brushes against mine, and random thought pops into my head.
What if it hadn't rained that day?
Not that it matters now.
Still, it seems like an odd thing to bring up.
We make it back to the shop in record time. I yank open the van doors, ignoring their protesting wail. Not taking any chances with these roses, I carry them inside like they are an endangered species. With laser focus, I stride to my workstation, already set up with ribbons and floral tape.
Eljah, who clearly doesn’t need to be here anymore but hasn’t taken the hint, narrowly misses having the front door slammed on his face and pushes right in. “You still arrange flowers like you’re performing brain surgery.”
That almost earns him a smile, but I keep my focus on the flowers as I unwrap them.
“That might be because Kaci’s brain might actually explode if these flowers aren’t perfect.
And let’s just say, I have to spend Christmas with her every year for the next fifty years.
I don’t need to be the cause of the family drama people are still whispering about a decade from now. ”
He's quiet as he approaches the counter, watching me trim stems. It’s something he’s seen me do at least a thousand times. “You know what I missed the most?”
“Please don’t say kissing.” The second the words leave my mouth, I slam it shut and stare wide-eyed. “I mean, something else. Ha, ha.” I fake laugh and cinch my shoulders together.
I cannot believe I said that out loud. This is getting weird. He needs to leave already! There is no reason for him to loiter while I spiral over the flowers.
His smirk says he’s enjoying my spiral. “I miss you in your creative mode. A little sassy. A little terrifying.” He dares to sidestep closer. “It’s totally hot.”
I sigh with more exasperation than irritation. “Huh. You missed that while you were dating all those models you posted on Instagram?”