Chapter 11 #2
I haven’t told my friends my plans, not when it feels like a far-off dream.
I’ve been scared to share it out of fear that it won’t come true, like telling someone what you wished for when you saw a shooting star or before blowing out your birthday candles.
But then there’s the fact that I spilled my guts, including all my dreams for this flower truck business, to Connor.
I think that, deep down, I know I can trust him.
Also, with how reserved he is, I know it’s not likely he’ll blab everything I tell him to anyone.
He’s the kind of person that could know everyone’s secrets and take them to the grave.
But what are best friends for if not to be your secret keepers and the ones to not only encourage you to chase your dreams but help you actually achieve them?
“I’m hoping to have the flower truck ready to open so that my first event can be at the Dogwood Festival in April.
” I play with the ends of my hair. “I know it’s a lofty goal.
I mean, it’s not even a registered business yet, and who knows how long all the work will take in the shop.
So, it’s probably not even plausible, but the event organizer told me they had a spot open up, and I—”
“Shay.” Kelsey reaches over and squeezes my forearm. “It’s not a lofty goal.”
“It’s not?” My lip trembles as tears cloud my vision.
“Not when you have us by your side.” Alyssa pulls me in for a side hug.
“Tell me who I need to strong arm into a rush order, and I’ll do it,” Mallory says. “Better yet, I’ll have Griffin do it. What good is it having a celebrity boyfriend if he can’t help my friends with his fancy name?”
I laugh and wipe the tears from my eyes.
“I don’t have a fancy boyfriend to offer up, but Evie and I are happy to help however we can.” Tess offers me a reassuring smile.
“Count me and Tyler in, too,” Kelsey chimes in.
“And don’t worry about the business side of things,” Alyssa says. “There’s a strong possibility Austin has the perfect birthday present in store for you later this month.”
Tears gather in my eyes again. I don’t know why I ever considered not sharing my fears with them.
These girls are my village. The people I want around me not only to celebrate my wins but to pick me up and help me carry on when life gets hard.
If it wasn’t already obvious before, it is now.
My people will do anything for me. They’ll take on my burdens as their own and help me find a way to do what otherwise seems impossible. I couldn’t be more grateful.
“I love y’all. Thank you.”
Kelsey smiles. “We’re always here to help, Shay.
All you have to do is ask.” She makes asking for help sound as simple as talking about my favorite flowers.
I wish it felt that way. That I didn’t overthink things every time I asked for a small favor.
That I didn’t feel the need to do everything on my own.
But at least I’m taking baby steps.
“Speaking of all the truck stuff, is Connor being helpful? He can be a real pain, but I can use my powers of persuasion on him if he’s not helping you.” By the way Mallory’s eyes light up, I’m guessing she’s thinking of some very colorful ways to force her brother to help.
I don’t want to be an unknowing accomplice in whatever she’s planning, and Connor has already helped me plenty.
“He’s been great.” I swallow nervously. “He got everything sorted for me with the mechanic and body shops with no complaints, and even got them to do a rush order. But I’ll let you know if he ever needs any nudging. ”
“Really?” Mallory raises an eyebrow. “Who does Connor know that would do a rush order for him? It’s not like he has an abundance of friends.”
I do my best not to wince. The thought of Connor living a solitary life with no friends makes my heart hurt for him. “Pat.”
“His old baseball teammate?” Mallory wrinkles her nose. “I didn’t know they kept in touch enough to ask him for a favor.”
I never thought about it that way. I wonder what all Connor is doing—what he’s sacrificing—just to help me.
It’s not like I’m going to let it get to my head.
He made it very clear that there’s nothing going on between us at the body shop.
But then why did he have a reaction to Pat asking me out, almost as if he was, dare I say, jealous?
“It didn’t really seem like they’d talked since high school,” I admit.
Mallory looks at me as if I just told her that I hate flowers. “Then why would Connor reach out to him? Getting him to call or text me back is like pulling teeth.”
“You were the one who volunteered him to help me.” I shrug. “Maybe your powers of persuasion were already at work.”
Mallory doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t push the topic further.
“What are you going to do while you wait to get the truck back?” Tess asks. “Do you need any help?”
I send her a grateful smile. “Connor and I are going to the hardware store on Sunday to pick out the wood and vases for the back of the truck. I don’t think I need any help yet, but I’ll let you know if I do.”
Tess nods. “You’ve got it.”
I press my cheek to my shoulder with an awkward smile, feeling uncomfortable having the attention on me for so long. I turn to Kelsey. “You’re up, girl.”
“My happy was watching Darla convince this month’s guest dance instructor at Sunrise Springs to teach her a hip-hop dance after they were finished learning the foxtrot.” She laughs. “I’ll never forget the looks of horror on the other residents’ faces as they watched her.”
Tess rubs her eyes. “No details, please. I don’t need the mental image of my great-aunt pop, lock, and dropping stuck in my head.”
“Tyler said the same thing.” Kelsey grins. “I don’t think I have a crappy. That made my whole week.”
“She better not try to teach her new moves to Evie.” Tess shakes her head. “Can your next instructor just teach them the art of slow dancing?”
My heart thumps rapidly in my chest as the memory of when I learned how to slow dance floods my mind in flashes. A dark kitchen. The glow of the refrigerator light. Strong hands on my waist. And Connor Porter’s smile aimed at me. Suddenly, I remember it all too well.