Chapter Ten
Asher
The shop smelled of sawdust and flowers when we pulled up.
The plywood over the front window was fresh, pale against the brick, and Blaze was already halfway through arguing with Cookie about whether the board should be painted or left as-is.
“I’m just saying,” Cookie said, leaning back against the wall like this was a casual hang and not a crime scene cleanup, “if we’re going to board up a flower shop, we could at least make it festive.”
Blaze snorted. “You want to stencil daisies on it?”
Juliet stopped short beside me, staring. “They really did stay all night,” she said softly.
Cookie turned at the sound of her voice and immediately straightened. “Morning, boss lady.”
Blaze tipped his head. “You good?”
Juliet nodded. “Yeah. Thank you. Both of you.”
Cookie waved her off. “You kidding? Best overnight shift I’ve had in years. Quiet street. Good view. Only got heckled once by a raccoon.”
Blaze grimaced. “That thing was aggressive.”
“And rabid,” Cookie laughed.
Juliet blinked. Then she laughed. Not nervous or forced.
Real.
The sound hit me harder than I expected.
Inside, the shop looked… intact. Messy, sure. Boxes stacked. Buckets everywhere. Ribbon trailing like evidence of battle. But the flowers were safe. The coolers humming along. The heart of the place still beating.
Jackie and Jenna were standing near the prep table, coats off, sleeves rolled like they’d come ready for a fight or a cleanup. Maybe both. There was a broom leaning against the counter like someone had started and stopped.
Jackie turned first. Her gaze went straight to Juliet’s face. “Are you okay?” she asked, already crossing the floor.
Jenna was right behind her. “You should’ve called us. Last night. Immediately.”
Juliet’s hand tightened in mine. Not panic, just a little overwhelmed. She smiled, soft but steady. “I’m okay.”
Jackie stopped in front of her, arms folding. “That’s not the point.”
Juliet exhaled slowly. “You wouldn’t have been able to do anything last night.”
Jenna opened her mouth, then closed it when Juliet looked up at me.
“Asher was there,” Juliet said. Simple. Certain. “He stayed.”
Something shifted then. Not dramatic. Just… acknowledged.
Jackie’s eyes flicked to me. She studied me for half a second, then nodded once, like a decision had been made. “Good.” She turned on her heel and pointed across the shop. “Cookie.”
Cookie, who had been hovering near the front door, straightened. “Yeah?”
“We need coffee.” Then Jackie pointed at Blaze, who was already leaning back on his heels like he’d known this was coming. “And donuts. A lot of them. If we’re going to clean this place up, handle customers, and get through the orders today.”
Blaze grinned. “Say less.”
Cookie snapped a mock salute. “On it.”
When the door closed, Juliet clapped her hands once. Sharp. Focused. “Okay,” she said. “Let’s get to work.” She glanced at the boarded-up window, the glass still scattered where it hadn’t been swept yet. “Flowers aren’t going to take care of themselves,” she added. “And neither is that mess.”
By noon, the last arrangements for the ride were ready.
Juliet stood back, hands on her hips, surveying the rows of finished florals. Handlebar pieces. Basket wraps. Accent bundles.
Done.
Her eyes shone not with relief exactly, but with pride. “We did it,” she said quietly.
“You did it,” Jenna corrected. “Remember, your hot biker only wanted you touching them.” She laughed as she handed a customer his change. “Jackie and I have just been hanging onto our asses helping these last-minute men.”
The guy at the counter cleared his throat, shifting his weight, bouquet tucked under his arm like he wished it could disappear. “Hey,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “In my defense, Valentine’s Day sneaks up on a man.”
Jackie snorted. “It’s on the same day every year.”
He grimaced. “Yeah. My wife reminds me of that, too.”
Juliet laughed, soft and warm. “You’re fine,” she told him. “You still made it.”
“Barely,” he muttered, already backing toward the door. “Appreciate you squeezing me in.”
“No shame,” Juliet said, waving him off. “You’re not alone.”
He gave her a grateful nod and slipped out, the bell chiming behind him.
Juliet shook her head, smiling. “You shouldn’t make them feel bad, Jenna.”
Jackie pointed at her with a stem cutter. “Careful. Those are the guys paying your paycheck.”
I moved in behind her then, sliding my arms around her waist, pulling her back against my chest. She came easily, like it was instinct. I pressed a kiss to the side of her head, slow and sure.
Mine.
She leaned into me and let out a quiet sigh, her hands settling over mine. “You’re going to spoil me.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Jenna called. “We still have to load all of this into the van, and I expect at least forty more dudes that can’t seem to look at a calendar.”
Juliet sighed, but she couldn’t hide her smile. “I know I say this week drives me crazy, but I have to say this one has been pretty damn good.”
“That’s what triple pay does to you,” Jackie smirked. “Puts a little pep in your step.”
“Speaking of,” I said. “I never gave you this.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a thick white envelope. “Payment for putting up with the club and me. And the flowers.”
Juliet grabbed it and tossed it to Jenna. “Put that in the till, and try not to shame the customers anymore.”
Jenna snatched it from the air and fanned herself with the envelope. “Juliet told you payment up front, but we’ll let it slide this time.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “How kind of you.”
Juliet turned to look up at me. “I know you paid, but I could use some muscle to load all of this up.”
I pressed a kiss to her lips. “Anything you need, doll.” Anything.