Chapter 22
Tracy
Annoyed, I trail behind Kenzie and Aunt Dorothy as we step into Moonlit Petals. I’ve been dragged around all day against my will, but no one seems to notice. My envy for the flask Auntie discreetly sips from grows with each passing moment. And yes, I’m watching.
“We’re here to check on the floral order for Kenzie Marks,” Kenzie announces, her smile wide and bright.
“I’m the bride.” As if Martha doesn’t already know who she is.
She’s been around longer than Auntie, and everyone in town knows about the ridiculous wedding between Kenzie and Asher.
But sure, go ahead and remind everyone you’re the bride, as if they could ever forget.
“That order was canceled,” Martha replies flatly.
“What are you talking about?” Kenzie gasps, clutching her chest.
“Exactly what I said. You called last week to cancel your floral order. Fortunately, it was before we placed the order. If it had been after, we would have had to charge you.”
Kenzie blinks at Martha as if she’s just spoken in a foreign language, and I struggle to stifle a laugh. I hadn’t even considered the floral order, but Alex clearly did.
“I did not cancel my order! I’m getting married in just over a week, and you’re telling me I don’t have any… any flowers?” Her face flushes bright red, and I instinctively step back, bracing for an explosion.
“I’m sorry, but you did,” Martha insists.
“Everyone in this town has it out for me!” Kenzie shrieks.
I wince and cover my ears. “She’s about to reach pitches only dogs can hear, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she breaks glass in the process. Ouch.”
“Kenzie—”
“They all love Harper and hate me! This town is sabotaging me! They want my wedding to be a disaster, and it’s working. I bet you and your staff are laughing about this behind my back when I leave,” Kenzie shouts.
A crowd begins to gather, and I inch toward the back to avoid the gossip. This is all her.
“Maybe it’s a mistake. Was there another order that was supposed to be canceled?” Aunt Dorothy suggests.
Martha shakes her head. “Kenzie insisted on a password for her account to limit changes, and it was used. I took the call myself and noted the password on the canceled order. That’s the only way we would have accepted it.”
“Okay, can we place the order now? We’ll pay for expedited shipping.” Of course, Aunt Dorothy will step in. Everything will be fixed.
“I’m sorry, but not for the flowers she wants. I told her when she ordered them that we need at least a two-week lead time since they’re out of season. I was surprised when she called to cancel.”
“I did not cancel!” Kenzie screams, stomping her foot and clenching her fists at her sides.
This is better than I could have imagined, and if it wouldn’t look suspicious, I’d record this to send to Alex.
“What are our options?” Auntie asks.
“Well, if you want the flowers, you’ll have to push the wedding back.”
“Not. Gonna. Happen,” Kenzie growls.
“Then you’ll have to accept substitutions.”
She shakes her head vigorously. “I don’t want substitutions. I want the flowers I ordered and didn’t cancel.”
“But you did cancel, and we can’t get them in time.”
“Kenzie, it sounds like we don’t have many options, so let’s go with the substitutions. No one will know the difference,” Auntie says.
Her lip quivers, and most people would mistake it for tears. Kenzie rarely cries. No, this is an anger quiver—the telltale sign she’s about to lose it.
“But I will! This is my wedding day! I want it to be perfect.”
“You know, Harper would have been understanding. She would have said the day is about marrying the love of her life, not the flowers,” I chime in, fully aware that I’m stirring the pot.
Sure enough, I receive a glare from Kenzie, but it works. “Fine. The substitutions will be just fine. The wedding isn’t about the flowers, right?”
“That’s exactly right,” Aunt Dorothy agrees. “I’ll catch up to you guys. I need to hit the bathroom—too much hot cocoa,” I say. Kenzie barely glances at me, and Aunt Dorothy is too buzzed to notice. I rush into the bathroom and call Alex.
“Hey—”
“You’re a genius!”
“I know this. But why?”
I lower my voice, ensuring no one else is around. “Canceling the flowers.”
“Oh! I forgot. How’d that go?”
“Total meltdown. Not just in front of your mom; Betsy Johnson was there too. This is definitely going to circulate and label Kenzie a Bridezilla.”
Alex groans. “Man! I wish I hadn’t missed it. Sounds amazing.”
“It was. I stirred the pot a bit. Told her Harper wouldn’t act like this.”
“And she didn’t tear your head off?”
“I think she realized how ridiculous she was being, but she really hates me now. Anyway, I’ve got to go. I lied and said I had to use the bathroom, and I need to catch up with them. Bye.”