Chapter Ten
Ellie
T he scent of fresh flowers envelops me as I start on the final bouquet of the enormous wedding order I’ve been working on for the past two days.
My fingers move instinctively as I arrange the delicate stems, a sense of relief washing over me to know I will pull this off after all.
Despite burning the midnight oil, the looming deadline seemed impossible, which is why I called in my two good friends, Penny and Harlow. The two arrived at dawn ready to work and even brought the lifesaving gift of coffee and breakfast, something I desperately needed.
If Hollis didn’t have the Christmas store to open, she would be here too, but I’m grateful she was able to help last night. She and Poppy had dropped in to say hi before heading home as they usually do, and when she saw how swamped I was, they both stayed. Thank goodness because I was exhausted.
It doesn’t help that prior to last night’s marathon, I’ve been up later than usual, having my body worshipped by Gunnar in all the wicked ways.
It’s been nearly a week since we took our friendship to a new level, and it has been one of the best of my life.
Not only do I get to savor the sheer pleasure of his touch and seductive kisses, but I also get to fall asleep in his arms. It’s become my favorite way to end the day.
Last night was the first time since Friday that he wasn’t nestled beside me as I drifted off to sleep, our busy schedules keeping us apart, and waking up this morning never felt lonelier.
I drop the depressing thought as Penny and Harlow come walking out from the back room.
“Everything’s packed up and ready to go,” Harlow says, taking a seat on the stool behind the front counter. “We made sure to leave room for the final bouquet.”
All the stress I’ve been feeling the last two days completely melts away. “You guys are the best. I owe you big time.”
Penny waves away my gratitude. “Don’t be silly. You don’t owe us a thing. This is what friends are for.”
Harlow nods her agreement. “Besides, you’ve bailed my ass out enough times with last-minute orders. This is the least I could do.”
Harlow is a successful wedding coordinator and has brought a lot of business my way, including some spur-of-the-moment shotgun weddings that have landed at her feet. Those are the ones that usually require some last-minute overtime, not that I ever mind.
“Still, I appreciate both of you coming in on your day off.” If they hadn’t, I’m not sure I would have pulled this off in time. This order was clearly too much work for one person, and I should have known that.
Lesson learned.
“What else can we do to help?” Harlow asks, hopping off the stool. “I’ve got nowhere pressing I need to be for another few hours, so feel free to put me to work. ”
“Me too,” Penny adds, echoing the sentiment.
I flash them a grateful smile. “Any chance you can do a quick inventory check and restock the cooler?”
“You got it.” Harlow grabs the black leather binder beneath the counter and heads toward the cooler with Penny in tow.
While they tackle that task, I slip into the back room to grab another roll of floral tape, only to hear the bell above my door chime.
My heart lurches in a moment of fear. I worry the customer has arrived early for their order until I hear Harlow greet the newcomer.
“Oh, hey, Gunnar.”
Relief floods through me, allowing air back into my lungs.
“Hey.” Gunnar’s deep voice sends a flutter through my belly. It’s the same voice that’s been whispering naughty things to me all week. “Where’s Elle?”
“Right here.” I step out front with a smile that falters when I get my first look at him.
Clad in dark wash jeans and a simple black shirt, he stands just inside the doorway. There’s nothing different about him. His unruly dark hair, honey-brown eyes, and amazing jawline are all the same, yet the mere sight of him leaves me breathless.
How I managed to stay friends with him all these years and not jump his bones is a mystery I will never solve.
“Hi,” I finally speak, then clear my throat when I hear how embarrassingly gruff I sound.
It doesn’t go unnoticed. A knowing smirk spreads across Gunnar’s handsome face. “Hey, Elle.”
I match his smile, our gazes locking in an unwavering embrace as moments from the past week surface between us.
I get the urge to leap over this counter and kiss the ever-loving hell out of him, but quickly remember we aren’t alone.
Looking over, I find Penny and Harlow watching us, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion.
I quickly gather my composure as I make my way up to the counter.
“So, what brings you by?” I try for nonchalance, but know I’m not fooling anyone, least of all Gunnar.
Amusement gleams in his eyes, dancing with the secret we both harbor. “Came by to see what time you’re off tonight.”
Since he could have texted that, I’m hoping it means he missed me last night as much as I did him.
“Thanks to Penny and Harlow, I should get out of here at closing time.” I gesture toward my friends, acknowledging their help. “Why, what’s up?”
“I want to take you out.” His tone is casual, but the dark promise in his gaze is unmistakable.
Butterflies spring to life in my belly, the flutter of excitement making my pulse race. “Really? Where?”
“It’s a surprise.” A mischievous grin spreads across his face, heightening my curiosity. “I have a few things to get first, but how about I pick you up around eight?”
I nod, finding myself unable to do anything but smile like a silly schoolgirl.
Before leaving, he strides over to the cooler where Harlow and Penny stand motionless, their mouths slightly agape, reflecting their shock.
A frown creases my brows as he gently pulls a single white magnolia from the bucket Penny holds.
“Can I take this?” he asks her, his voice warm and disarming .
She nods, her eyes wide.
I watch in bewilderment, wondering what he’s doing until he walks over and places the delicate flower in front of me along with a twenty-dollar bill.
“For your hair tonight,” he says.
My heart completely melts, the simple gesture filling me with warmth before he leans down closer.
“Don’t worry about dressing up,” he adds, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur. “It’ll be just the two of us, and clothing won’t be necessary for long.”
All the warmth that melted my heart seconds ago pools low in my belly, igniting a blaze of heat.
“Okay,” I croak, my voice portraying every bit of the effect he has on me.
With a smirk playing on his lips, he pushes away from the counter and heads for the door.
“Bye, ladies.” He bids Harlow and Penny a casual wave then exits the store, leaving me with the promise of a night I can hardly wait for.
My two friends turn to me, their expressions resembling a pair of deer caught in headlights.
I consider playing the whole thing off but decide it’s time they know. Next to Gunnar, they are my best friends. “I have something to tell you guys.”
“No shit,” Harlow fires back.
I laugh at her outburst, but there is no denying the nerves shadowing the sound. I’ve yet to tell anyone else this and I pray they aren’t upset I’ve kept this baby plan of mine from them for so long.
Without further hesitation, I lay it all out, starting from the very beginning. I share my decision about having a baby and the countless options I researched over the past year. How I eventually approached Gunnar, asking him to be a donor, which led to an argument at his shop, before finally revealing our agreement to conceive the baby the old-fashioned way and seeing where our friendship ends up in the process.
By the time I finish, both their jaws are practically on the floor.
“Ho—ly shit,” Harlow finally manages, breaking the newfound silence.
Penny, on the other hand, gives me a vibrant smile. “A baby, really?”
I nod, her genuine reaction fueling my own.
“Oh, Ellie, this is wonderful.” Placing down the bucket of flowers, she walks over and pulls me into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
Warmth invades my chest as I hug her back.
“Yeah, yeah, really wonderful,” Harlow agrees but waves aside that topic for the moment. “Tell us about the sex. How hot is it?”
“Harlow,” Penny chides with a laugh.
“What?” she counters, feigning innocence. “We just discovered that our twenty-four-year-old friend is no longer a virgin because she lost it to her hot best friend. I think we’re entitled to some details here, don’t you?”
Penny, still laughing, raises her hands in mock surrender and then turns to me, awaiting my response.
“It’s…” I pause, searching for words powerful enough to describe it. “Beautiful. Profound. Life-changing.”
Even those pale in comparison to what I truly feel when I’m with him, especially that first night.
“His touch is as patient and gentle as it is pleasurable,” I continue softly, losing myself in the vivid memories. “He whispers the sweetest things in my ear as he completes my body and soul… and a few dirty things.” A laugh escapes me as a blush warms my cheeks.
Penny and Harlow share my smile.
“It feels right, natural even, which I didn’t expect. I always thought there would be some awkwardness since we’ve been friends for so long, but there isn’t. Not at all.” I shake my head, knowing I’m probably not making much sense. “I can’t explain it but that night in his arms, and everytime since, I feel whole in a way I never have before. As if my entire life has led me to this moment with him.”
They both peer back at me, their faces a potent blend of emotion and envy.
Harlow raises a hand to her chest, instinctively seeking her heart. “That’s the most beautiful thing I have ever heard, and I’m a wedding planner.”
We share a collective laugh over that remark before she crosses the distance and pulls me into a hug just like Penny did.
“I’m so happy for you, Elle,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. A rarity for Harlow.
“Thanks.” Pulling back, I meet both their gazes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys about the whole baby plan sooner, but I needed to make this decision on my own, ya know?”
Penny nods, her eyes filled with gentle understanding. “That makes sense. It’s a big decision.”
“It is,” Harlow agrees. “And no one could make it except you. But for what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right choice, especially by having Gunnar be the father.”
Her validation means a lot, even if it isn’t necessary.
“I mean, we all knew something would happen between you two eventually. Just not quite like this,” she adds with a chuckle.
I frown, surprised by that remark. “You did?”
“Duh,” she teases playfully. “You two have basically been married since you were eight years old, just without all the sexy perks.” Her eyebrows dance suggestively making me laugh.
“It’s called being best friends, you goof.”
“No,” she insists, shaking her head vehemently. “Best friends spend a lot of time together. They share dreams and secrets, lean on each other when times are tough. But they don’t make every major life decision based on the other. They don’t plan their lives around each other. And that’s exactly what you and Gunnar have done. It’s not a bad thing,” she rushes out. “But it’s not a best friend thing either. It’s a couple thing. Which is why you never dated anyone.”
“I’ve dated,” I counter defensively, before quickly recanting. “Kinda.”
Harlow scoffs. “Please, notebook Johnny from your business class in the big city doesn’t count,” she says, referring to the guy who always walked with his notebook strategically placed to cover his obvious erection.
He was so nervous when he asked me out that I couldn’t bring myself to say no, and it ended up being the most awkward dinner I’ve ever had. Never mind the attempted kiss afterward. Needless to say, there wasn’t a second date.
“But even if it did count,” Harlow continues, “you never told Gunnar about it. Why?”
“Because there was nothing to tell,” I exclaim, my voice rising in exasperation. “It was just dinner. Besides, it would have made things weird between us. Gunnar and I don’t share that stuff with each other. We never have. It’s just how it is between us. How it’s always been and…” My words stop mid-sentence as I realize how ridiculous I sound. “Oh, hell. Who am I kidding?” I grumble, sinking down onto the stool next to me.
“Not us,” Penny interjects, sharing a chuckle with Harlow.
Their amusement brings a slight smile to my lips. “Okay, fine. Maybe you’re right,” I finally concede. “I guess it’s just easier to cling to the familiarity of friendship because anything more means uncertainty, and that scares me. Gunnar has always been my best friend, and I don’t ever want to lose that.” My fear is palpable in that admission.
“Maybe you have to, in order to gain more,” Penny replies softly.
“She’s right,” Harlow adds, cutting back in. “I know that’s a scary thought, Elle, but maybe the truth is, you and Gunnar were never meant to be just friends. Maybe you guys have always been destined for more.”
I reflect on the whirlwind of emotions I’ve experienced this past week, the undeniable rightness of it all, and can’t help but wonder if they’re right. Perhaps Gunnar and I have always been destined for something more.
The thought transports me back to the time Gunnar and I set out to test the legend of one mountain—a tale of true love that ended up shattering my eight-year-old heart.
But perhaps I was wrong. Maybe the legend isn’t just a myth, but rather a magic that reveals itself over time.
That possibility seeps into the depths of my soul, carrying with it the weight of newfound hope.
I smile at my two friends, thankful for their support. “You guys are the best.”
“We know.” Harlow beams proudly, slinging an arm around Penny’s shoulders .
Laughing, I rise from my chair and embrace them in a quick group hug before returning to our respective tasks.
As the afternoon wears on, I find myself constantly glancing at the clock, counting down the minutes to my evening with Gunnar, eager to discover what he has planned.