How to Steal Your Best Friend's Fiancé - London Casey Page 0,46
bakery was quiet.
Lucy stood behind the counter, starting to clean things up.
When she saw me, she smiled and waved.
“Liam,” she said.
“Lucy,” I said.
“Tell me you’re here for me.”
“Sadly, no.”
She nodded and disappeared into the back.
When Emily emerged, she looked flustered.
She had strands of hair sticking out at the sides of her head.
It made her look adorable. And all I wanted to do was tuck those loose strands behind her ear.
“Hey,” she said to me.
“I’ve been trying to text you all day.”
“It’s been a hectic day here.”
“No. I mean, I didn’t send the text. I wanted to apologize, Em. For the way I acted. I got caught up in the moment and… I don’t want you to think I’m some hot head that just starts throwing punches.”
“I don’t think that at all,” she said. “Jeff’s an asshole.”
I nodded. “That’s just not me. But if I’m backed into a corner…”
“Liam, you have nothing to worry about. I didn’t lose sleep over it. I’m not avoiding you.”
“So what time does this place close up?” I asked.
“Right now,” Lucy called out. “Only if you’re taking Emily off our hands.”
“Lucy, stop listening,” Emily yelled.
“Sorry!” Lucy yelled back.
Emily looked at me and shut her eyes and sighed. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“Why are you asking about when I close up?”
“I have a thing,” I said. “Was hoping you’d join me.”
“A thing?”
“Flowers.”
“For the wedding?” Emily asked.
I hated the way her face dropped a little.
I hated that I was asking her to join me.
The truth was… I wanted to hang out with her and be normal for once.
The first time we hung out, I tried a skateboard trick and ended up in the hospital.
Then I tried to take her for something to eat and it was announced we were getting married and Jeff caused an issue.
So this… this had to be normal.
“Flowers,” Emily said. “I can do that.”
“I have a list I made,” I said. “Just need you to make a list of your own. Just so things balance out.”
“What do men know about flowers?” Emily asked.
“That’s why I need you, Em,” I said.
I touched her arm.
She looked at my hand touching her.
“Let me go freshen up,” she said. “We can go right afterward.”
She stepped away and went into the back of the bakery.
I took a deep breath.
A nagging voice in the back of my head wanted to know what the hell I was really doing.
I knew the answer.
But I lied to myself and said I didn’t know.
At first I didn’t see anyone behind the counter at the floral shop.
But I heard a voice say Helllooo!
It actually scared me for a second.
Then I saw a short man with a horseshoe shaped bald head pop up from behind the counter with a big smile on his face. He was wearing a pair of thick, black glasses, but he took those off and swatted them away.
“For the computer screen,” he said. “Damn technology will rot your brain and eyes. Now what can I do for you?”
The man was so short, he looked as though he could rest his chin on the counter.
He looked up to both Emily and me.
“I’m Liam,” I said. “I believe I spoke with your wife on the phone?”
“I hope not,” the man said. “My wife’s been dead for five years. Then again, if you did speak to her, can you call her again and ask her where she put my favorite watch?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said.
The man put a hand up. “Don’t be. It happens. My Margie started this place against my will and now I’m the one running it in her honor.”
He nodded to a picture on the wall of a beautiful woman in a peach dress, standing outside the floral shop when it had a very different look to it.
“You must have spoken to my daughter,” he said. “Amy.”
“That’s the one,” I said.
“She’s out of town this week,” the man said. “I’m Hank. Don’t mind my size, my attitude, or the fact that I don’t look the part but I know and love everything about flowers. Okay?”
I smiled. “Not a problem at all.”
Hank pointed to Emily. “And this must be the soon-to-be Mrs. Liam.”
“Well, actually, she’s-”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Emily said.
Hank walked around from behind the counter and properly greeted us with a handshake.
He held Emily’s hand tight. “The flowers are everything for a wedding. The food? Sure. Food is food though. Hell, I could call any fast food place and get something half decent, right? But you can’t mess up the flowers. They are