How to Steal Your Best Friend's Fiancé - London Casey Page 0,48
and all that… are you two even listening to me?”
“I’m listening,” I said.
“Me too,” Emily said.
We were still staring at each other.
“Hank, how much for the flowers Emily just picked out?”
“For you two lovebirds, nothing,” he said. “Take them and leave.”
“I’ll be in touch,” I said as I reached for the flowers without breaking my gaze from Emily.
“No, I’ll be in touch with you,” Hank said.
“Sure thing,” I said.
Emily turned from the counter and walked toward the door.
I went after her and touched her arm. “Hey. That was your choice for real?”
“Yeah,” she said.
“That’s what you would want at your wedding?”
She looked at me. “I think I’m as far from getting married as someone could be. I don’t think it matters what flowers I chose today. Do you?”
She tighten her lips and looked like she was fighting off frowning.
She walked away in a hurry but didn’t go to my car.
I stood with the bouquet of flowers she picked out.
The same ones I picked out.
Not that it mattered.
It was just flowers.
And we were just…
Again, I didn’t know what the hell was happening.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Emily
I slept through my alarm because I had a sleepless night.
Each time my eyes shut, I was hit with the same dream of Liam and I holding hands, running from the cops through a dark forest only to have the trees open up at Paragen’s, complete with lights, food, wine, and music playing, but nobody else around.
Somehow in the dream, I managed to wake myself up before things got crazier.
You mean crazier than the last one where Liam leans over the table and grabs you by the face and kisses you?
That was the one.
I tripped over air while trying to get dressed.
When I brushed my teeth and spit into the sink, the toothpaste splashed to my shirt, leaving me with a few white stains that would definitely be questioned by both Lucy and Ember.
Which meant I had to change my shirt.
It was just one of those mornings where my head was scrambled.
And I convinced myself that the scrambled was only in my head. Due to lack of sleep. No other reason whatsoever. The Liam thing… that was nothing. A dream was a dream. Nothing more or less.
Whatever thoughts that were lingering were just that.
Silly thoughts.
It was like having a bad dream that hung around in your head for a little while.
No big deal at all.
I stormed through the bakery like a madwoman, keeping myself as busy as possible.
I helped Lucy run the register and complete orders.
I helped Ember organize orders ready for pickup.
I cleaned the office.
I made sure every chair out front was pushed in at the right angle.
I touched every picture frame on the wall, just to say that I did it.
From there, I stood at the front door and took a deep breath.
My body felt like it was time to close up and call it a day.
I checked my phone and it was only two hours later.
And that pesky dream about Liam?
It was playing on repeat in my mind.
I opened the office door and found Lucy and Ember both waiting for me.
Their arms were crossed.
Scowls on their faces.
“You’re quitting?” I asked.
“Who is?” Lucy asked.
“Both of you…”
“I’m not quitting,” Ember said.
“Oh, good,” I said, then I sighed. “I always fear one day I’ll open the office door and you both will be quitting.”
“What’s with you today?” Lucy asked.
“What?”
“You’re hiding something.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are,” Ember said. “You’re making things up to do to keep yourself distracted. What happened?”
“Nothing happened.”
I took a step and Lucy shook her head. She put her hand out. “No way, Emily.”
“I’m your boss,” I said. “Now get out of my way.”
“Make us,” Ember said.
She slowly lifted the left side of her lip.
I could probably knock Lucy down.
But Ember?
No way.
“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I said. “I’m fine. Just… tired.”
“From what?” Lucy asked.
“Did you really pick out flowers yesterday for Liam’s wedding?”
“Whoa, wait a second,” I said. “Are you two attacking me?”
“Questioning,” Lucy said. “What are you doing?”
“With what?” I asked.
“You’re planning someone else’s wedding,” Ember said.
“I’m helping,” I said. “Trying to be a good friend.”
“To who?” Lucy asked.
“Who do you think?”
“And what has she ever done for you?” Lucy asked. “Better yet, what about Liam?”
“I’ve known Liam since I was a teenager,” I said. “So don’t even go there.”
“Oh, I am,” Lucy said.
“Screw that,” Ember said. “I’m already there. I set up a chair, got a drink, and I’m watching the show.”