Chapter 6
“I heard back from the fire inspector yesterday.” Her eyes fall to the teacup in her hands. “The structural integrity of the building was compromised.”
That doesn’t sound good.
“What does that mean?” I ask.
With a shaky hand, Shirley places her teacup on the coffee table before leaning over and taking my hands in hers. “It will cost more to repair the building than it’s worth.”
“No.” I shake my head in disbelief. “I was there. It didn’t seem that bad.” Not that I was really looking around much when I had my head buried in Connor’s chest as he carried me to safety… “Do—” I clear the emotion from my throat. “Do they know what caused it?”
“They said it was an electrical fire, likely caused by outdated outlets.” Shirley shrugs, looking more frail than usual, as if this situation has taken its toll on her.
I hang my head. “I should’ve done more.”
“There’s nothing you could’ve done, sweetie.” She pats my hand.
As someone who loves to fix things, I hate that there’s nothing I can do. That I’m letting Shirley, and myself, down. My little sister, Reagan, would tell me to let it be, that this is how things were meant to happen. To follow whatever path life takes me on.
But what am I supposed to do when the path I’m going down isn’t leading where I hoped? In fact, it’s leading in the exact opposite direction of everything I’ve spent years working toward.
I shake my head. I’m being selfish. It’s an absolute honor that Shirley was going to entrust the business she built to me.
She’s the one who lost everything. I’ll just have to find another flower shop to work at until I’ve saved up enough to open one of my own.
Or maybe this is a sign from the universe that I’m not meant to run my own business.
“Are you still able to retire?” I ask.
“Of course, dear. Thank goodness for good insurance.” Shirley offers me a sad smile.
“I’m sad that you won’t be able to carry on with the flower shop.
” She lets go of my hands, reaches for an envelope on the side table, and hands it to me.
“But you’ve become family, and I want to give you what I can. ”
I look from the envelope to her.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” She tilts her head, making her gray bob sway. “Go on. Open it.”
I slide my thumb under the seal and carefully open it before pulling out a check. The number written on it makes my eyes go wide. “Shirley, did you accidentally add extra zeros?”
“Consider it your severance package. I want you to use it to set up your future career. Buy your own shop.” Her eyes light up. “Better yet, buy one of those flower trucks you’re always looking at on Tickity Tock and The Gram.”
I bite the inside of my bottom lip, holding back a laugh. I’m honestly impressed she was that close to the app names with her severe lack of social media knowledge. I mean, I had to fight the woman to add a landline.
She’s not wrong, though. I’ve scrolled through posts and videos of mobile flower trucks for countless hours.
“I don’t know.” I hug my middle. I’ve always thought it was a cute idea…for someone else. I never thought about any other possibility when I was set to take over Shirley’s Florist. “I’m sure those trucks are expensive.”
Shirley taps the check. “This will more than cover it. I had one of the ladies’ grandkids look it up at book club the other day.
” She leans back into the couch. “And, some positive news, the greenhouse is still functional since it’s not attached to the shop, so you can still grow flowers there and connect with the local growers we usually source the rest from. ”
“You’re serious?”
“As serious as a heart attack.”
I’ve never liked that saying; it sounds morbid. But with the resolute expression on Shirley’s face, I can tell she means it.
“You think I could run my own flower truck?” My voice is barely above a whisper, afraid that speaking it aloud will suddenly allow me to dream.
“I don’t think so.” She shakes her head, reaching over and grasping my hand in her wrinkled one. Despite her age, she still has quite the grip. “I know so. You can do anything you put your mind to, Shayna Monroe.”
My eyes well with tears, humbled that she thinks so highly of me. That she believes in me, maybe even more than I believe in myself.
“Thank you.” I lean forward and pull Shirley into a hug. “I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
“The feeling’s mutual, dear.” She squeezes me tight. “You let me know when your new venture is open for business so I can be your first customer.”
I pull back and smile when I see the warmth and pride in her eyes. “Deal.”
“Have y’all ever thought about how lucky we are to be alive at the time when the Jonas Brothers are touring again?” I pop a piece of popcorn into my mouth. “My middle school self is thriving.”
“Okay, I completely agree with you.” Kelsey shoots me a look that tells me there’s a but coming. “But I’m guessing that’s not what you called an emergency roommate meeting mid-week for.”
“What if I just wanted to talk to my besties?” I tease, giving them my best doe-eyes and innocent smile.
“I should be offended that you’re teasing about our friendship, but I’ll let it slide.” Mallory crosses her legs up under her and grabs the pink chunky-knit blanket from the back of the couch, spreading it across her lap.
Alyssa runs her hand over her already smooth blonde waves. “I gave up my evening Pilates class for this tea, so spill it, sister.” She attempts to shoot me a stern look but fails, her eyes crinkling at the corners and her lips tilting up into a small smile.
“Yes, tell us,” Kelsey agrees.
“Before we die,” Mallory adds.
Alyssa shoves her shoulder. “You can’t say that when she could have died in the flower shop fire.”
A passing image of smoke slowly filling the back room of the flower shop flashes in my mind.
I shake my head, forcing away the memory.
That experience was terrifying, but I refuse to dwell on it.
I won’t lie, there have been a few nights I’ve tossed and turned more than slept, but I’m choosing not to let one scary moment steal my joy.
Life is too short to be anything but positive.
“Yeah, could have.” Mallory emphasizes the words with a sassy tilt of her head. She fiercely loves the people in her circle and would do anything for them, but I think the only way she can deal with the thought of me being stuck in a burning building is with humor.
I smile good-naturedly. If that’s what she needs, I’ll gladly play along.
Isn’t that the true definition of a friend—putting someone else’s needs above your own?
The same can be said for romantic relationships, but I can’t think about that.
Because if I start thinking about dating, my mind instantly goes to Connor Porter.
And I cannot have thoughts about how attractive he is when I’m sitting across from his sister.
“Ditto, what they all said,” Tess says, snapping me back to reality. “Well, maybe except the dying part.”
Tess joined our friend group only a few months ago when her younger brother, Tyler, started dating Kelsey.
Even though we’ve only known her for a short time, she fits right in as if she’s been right by our sides since middle school.
She’s a piece of the puzzle we didn’t know we were missing.
Not to mention the fact that her daughter, Evie, is the sweetest little girl that’s become our honorary niece.
Mallory waves her hand in front of me. “Hello? Earth to Shayna.”
“Fine,” I concede. “I had my meeting with Shirley today, and the structural integrity of the shop is compromised from the fire.”
They all share a worried look, and I understand their hesitation. My friends know how excited I was to become a flower shop owner.
“What does that mean for Shirley’s retirement?” Alyssa dances around the question I’m sure she really wants to ask—what does it mean for my future career?
“She’s still going to retire.” I wring my hands in my lap. “But now there’s no building or business for her to leave to me.”
“Oh, Shay.” Kelsey reaches over and grasps my hand as the rest of our friends get up from their usual spots.
Tears fill my eyes as the girls I love like sisters pull me in for a group hug. As they hold me in the silence, I feel safe enough to let out everything I’ve been holding in. The tears begin to pour down my cheeks as I’m surrounded by their support.
When I finally pull back, Tess dabs under her eyes, a true empath. “I’m so sorry.”
Alyssa frowns. “We know how much that shop meant to you.”
“Thanks.” They return to their seats as I wipe my face, feeling lighter than I have all week.
“I really needed that.” I let out a watery laugh as Kelsey’s golden retriever, Winston, runs over and jumps up, placing his front paws on my lap like he needs to be part of the action, too.
I scratch his head, and he licks my hand before jumping back down and sitting in front of Kelsey.
“Is no one else going to ask the obvious question?” Mallory looks around and sighs when no one says anything.
She turns to me, her eyes softer than usual.
Maybe it’s from the fact that she’s now dating the famous actor, Griffin Reynolds.
Love has a way of softening a person. But I also think she’s always had a soft spot for me, the yin to her yang.
We’re complete opposites, but I think that’s what makes us such wonderful friends.
She encourages me to stand up for myself and would defend me to the grave, while I help her have a more positive outlook on life.
Mallory’s voice is gentle and more careful as she asks, “What are you going to do now?”
I shrug. “Shirley has this crazy idea.”
“We love crazy ideas.” Kelsey wraps her arms around Winston. He looks up at me and tilts his head, making his ears flop. We’ve always said he has the craziest personality of any dog, but in this moment, I’m half convinced he understands us and is saying that he agrees.