Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
paula
“Welcome to Whoopsie Daisy, what can I help you with?” My voice is almost like a tune as the bell above the door rings. I don’t even bother looking up before the words are out of my mouth.
“Hey Sister.”
My head snaps up at the sound of my baby brother’s voice. “Parker, what are you doing here?”
“What? I can’t come see what my favorite sibling is up to?”
“You better watch out. The other siblings may get jealous.” I laugh. “Now, why are you really here?”
His strides are long as he makes his way to the counter. “This is pretty much the only time I’m able to see you. It’s not like you come around.”
I watch him as he studies the various arrangements under the glass counter. It’s not anything that’s real, just examples of some of the things we can do. Well, not me. I don’t’ have a creative bone in my body. The only reason I applied to work here is because I liked the vibe of everyone here.
“There’s a reason I don’t come around often.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” He waves away my comment. “But…you know you’ll need to talk to Mom and Dad at some point.”
“It’s not them I have an issue speaking with.” Well, that’s not completely true. My Dad is pretty high up there with folks I don’t want to converse with. But he’s not the one constantly putting pressure on me to do something I don’t want to do.
“You’ll have to talk to Pierce. There’s no avoiding it.”
“I’ve been doing a good job of it for the past six months.” I shrug my shoulder. “As far as I’m concerned it can last a lot longer.”
“Oh my God. The two of you are like children.”
“We’re someone’s children, so it’s appropriate.”
“Not really. But I’m not getting between the two of you. Us younger siblings shouldn’t have to play referee.”
Do I feel bad that it happens sometimes?
Yes, I do. It’s not their job to run interference, but Pierce can’t seem to be an adult about anything when it comes to the family business.
He’s the oldest. It’s his responsibility.
I don’t know why I have to be a part of it.
Besides, there are six of us total. Why can’t five handle the business?
The only thing I’ve ever wanted is to live my life.
“I’m sorry. I promise I won’t put you in the middle of any arguments I have with my brother.”
“You aren’t the only one that does it,” Parker sighs. “But…you won’t like what I have to say next.”
“Why?”
He turns back toward the front of the shop. No doubt making sure we aren’t about to have any customers. If he’s doing that, it means I’m about to be pissed.
“Because it’s time for the family vacation.”
“No way. We just went on one.” At least, it feels like we did. I realize the date, and nope we haven’t had our yearly stress filled vacation.
“Well, it’s time again. Mom, Dad, and Pierce want you there.”
He still won’t look at me. Not that I blame him. I will never understand why my parents make these things mandatory.
“It’s not like I have a choice.” I get they want the family together at the same time, but what are they going to do when the rest of my siblings get into relationships and start having families.
There’s no way their partners will want to go on these trips.
Although, I guess in their eyes it’s a future problem.
“True.” He nods. “It’s not as bad as you make it out to be, though.”
Maybe for them. I’ve always been the black sheep of the family. Being with all my siblings at one time is fun until we get into a disagreement or whip out the board games. That’s when everything goes downhill.
“When is this marvelous weekend of family bonding supposed to happen? I’ll need to see if I can take off.” Plus side, it’s the beginning of wedding season, which means I’ll be needed to help out.
“Take off for what?” Emily asks as she comes into the room. She’s carrying a few bouquets in her hands and almost drops one.
My brother rushes to her rescue. “Here, let me help you.” He gives her the smile I’ve seen him give dozens of girls when we drink together.
“Oh, thank you.” Emily says, unfazed by my brother’s charisma.
“No problem.” He holds two of the bouquets as she sets the ones in her arms on the shelf beside the counter. After he hands her the ones he’s holding, he leans on the counter. “So, who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”
“Knock it off, Parker. She’s taken.”
Emily’s eyes widen as she realizes he was trying to give her some tired pickup line. “Yeah, I’m happily taken, but I’m Emily.” She holds her hand out. “And you are?”
My brother side eyes me as he shakes her hand. “Parker. I’m Paula’s baby brother.”
“Oh, how nice to meet you.” I don’t miss the curious glance she shoots my way. I haven’t really talked much about my family. Mostly because they drive me up the wall, but I try really hard to keep my personal life away from work.
“He was just leaving.” I make my way from behind the counter and push him toward the door.
“Actually, can I buy one of these bouquets?”
Rolling my eyes, I let go of him. “Which girl of the week are you giving it to now?”
“I would never.” He holds his hand to his chest as if he’s surprised. “They are for Mom.”
“You’re such a suck up.” I wait for him to grab a bouquet, then stomp back to the register to ring him up.
“And that’s why I’m the favorite.” He grins at me as he hands me his card.
“Oh, is that what Mom tells you? I’m almost certain she says that to all of us.” I notice Emily doing her best not to listen in on our conversation. She’s not subtle about it.
“It’s true for me, though.” He takes his card back and shoves it in his pocket. “I’ll text you the information. Love you, Sis.”
“Love you, too.” I watch him leave the shop to make sure he’s not going to add anything else.
“So that’s your brother?” Emily laughs. “He seems like a handful.”
“He’s probably the one who causes the most trouble out of all of us.”
Emily scrunches her eyebrows together. “All of you? How many siblings do you have?”
It’s times like these I remember she’s an only child. But I’m certain her struggle has been the same as mine with the need to live up to parental expectations.
“There are six of us. I’m the second oldest.” I wonder if she can hear the irritation in my voice. Parker’s right. It’s not like everything has always been horrible. I just hate the way I’m expected to do every little thing they want instead of living my own life.
“I can’t even imagine the chaos that is when your whole family is together.” The look of sheer horror on her face is comical. “What is happening that you’ll need time off for? Is everything okay?”
Of course, she goes straight to worrying about me and my family. It’s kind of her role in all the friendships here. She’s the one who looks after everyone’s emotional well-being.
“Everything is fine.” I assure her. “My family does a big vacation every year. I didn’t realize we haven’t done one this year until my brother reminded me.”
“Do you know the dates?”
“Not yet.” I shrug my shoulders and wipe down the counter. It’s not dirty, but it does give me something to do. “My brother is sending me the information. If I can’t take off, it’s not a huge deal. There will be another one next year.”
If I miraculously get out of this one, it means I’ll be able to put off the uncomfortable conversations my dad and Pierce want to have. I still don’t understand why I’m needed when they have my older brother.
Emily leans on the counter thinking for a moment. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem. As long as it’s not in the middle of a wedding cluster, we’ll be fine without you.”
Damn. That’s not what I wanted her to say at all. Maybe I should have been more open about myself when I first started working here. I guess this is what I get for being more of a recluse instead of being outgoing and letting them in.
“Cool. I’ll find out the dates as soon as possible.”
“Let me ask you a question.” Emily bumps my shoulder. “Do you even want to go on this family vacation? Because your body language says you’d rather walk across hot coals a thousand times over.”
“Let’s just say it’s not my favorite thing in the world to do. But it’s one of the many expectations I have placed on me, and sadly…there’s no way out of it.”
She snorts and I don’t think I’ve ever heard her make that sound.
“I know a thing or two about ridiculous expectations from parents. Sometimes it’s best to be honest about them and let them know how you feel.
” She sighs and stands before turning toward the hallway.
“But don’t wait too long. I didn’t learn that lesson until this year, and I’m kicking myself for not realizing what my parents were doing sooner. Like in my teen years.”
With those parting words, she disappears down the dimly lit hallway. You’d think that’s something her boyfriend would have fixed when renovating the back of the store. Though I can see why he didn’t. It allows the space to be open but not completely visible.
Emily’s advice bounces around in my head.
While I love the idea of telling my parents to drop any and all expectations of me, they aren’t the only one’s who’d need to hear the words.
My brothers and sister would have to be told as well.
At this point it’s easier to go and put on a fake smile than it is to get into a heated battle with them.
The bell above the door jingles as someone pushes open the door. I force a smile even though I’m feeling anything but happy at the moment. Fake it 'til you make it. The mantra I repeated to myself since I was a teen and had the silly idea my parents wouldn’t want me to take part in the business.
It’s funny how wrong I was all those years ago. Even still, they never give up. Maybe I can appeal to my brother during this trip. Surely, he’s tired of staying on my ass about it.
Best not to worry about it right this second. I have time. For now, I’ll worry about the customer who walked in.