me through the beautiful flowers. I have no idea what I’m looking for. They all look the same to me. Plus, the combination of fragrances are giving me a headache.
“Tell me about Olivia while we look around,” Julian says.
So I do. I tell this complete stranger all about the woman who has stolen my heart. How she’s patient and kind and undeniably lovely, and how she has the most beautiful soul. And then I tell him about Ryder, and how she’s become the mother he’s always deserved.
And then I tell him about the proposal.
“But you don’t wine. You don’t dine. You don’t woo.”
“Help him, Julian,” my sister says as she scrolls through her phone. “Help him woo.”
Woo.
How is it you can go your whole life without hearing a particular word, and then you hear it twice in one day, and both times, it’s used to describe what a complete failure you are when it comes to love?
“We need beautiful flowers for beautiful Olivia,” Julian says. “What’s her favorite flower?”
“Umm . . .”
Dana rolls her eyes.
“A little help?”
“Nope.”
“Then why are you here?”
My sister smirks and goes back to her phone.
“Perhaps a rose?” Julian suggests, motioning toward the wide assortment of multi-colored stems. I gently touch the petal of a gorgeous red rose.
“Don’t you dare go with red. Be creative, for heaven’s sake.”
I grumble under my breath and follow Julian to a display of yellow roses. Suddenly, I’m reminded of the time Olivia and I took Ryder to that flower shop, and my son learned that flowers come in all different colors. He’d picked a yellow rose for Olivia that day.
“What about yellow?” I ask.
Julian shakes his head. “Yellow roses symbolize friendship.”
“Do you want to be her friend, Jackson?” Dana asks with a smirk.
Really regret bringing my sister today.
“Fine. What about purple?” I point to an array of lavender roses.
“Better.” Dana nods.
“Ah, the lavender rose,” Julian says. “Did you know the unique beauty of the lavender rose has captured many hearts and imaginations? With their fantastical appearance, lavender roses are a perfect symbol of enchantment. The lavender rose is also traditionally used to express feelings of love at first sight.”
Love at first sight.
“Well, that sounds perfect.”
Dana smiles, a sure sign of her approval.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’ll take a dozen, Julian.”
“He’ll take three dozen,” Dana quips before grinning at me. “That’s why I’m here.”
The florist beams as I hand him my credit card. After promising they’ll be delivered today, Julian thanks me and gives me his business card.
“For when you need my services again,” he says with a grin. “Perhaps your wedding day?”
I grin like a fool as my sister links her arm through mine and drags me out the door.
“Well, that was fun,” she said. “I think you owe me a drink.”
I look down at my watch. “It’s barely lunch time, Dana.”
“Fine. You owe me lunch.”
“I wish I could, but I’ve got a deposition this afternoon. Raincheck?”
“I suppose. You did good, big brother. She’s going to love the flowers. Now, is everything set for tomorrow night?”
Tomorrow night. Our surprise first date. Dana helped with that, too.
“I hope so. Are you sure Olivia likes her music?”
“Have I steered you wrong yet?”
“No. It’s just . . . I’m constantly surprised how little I know about this woman I love so much.”
“My brother and my best friend. If I’d known you’d fall so hard I would’ve introduced you years ago.”
We’re not really affectionate, but I give her a hug, anyway.
“I appreciate all your help, Dana. I really do.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t screw it up.”
With a chuckle, I promise to call her soon before heading to my car. I’ve just buckled my seatbelt when I get a text from Marcus.
We have an appointment with the judge next Tuesday at 10:00. Ready to sign your divorce papers?
I grin.
Next Tuesday.
Six days.
The light at the end of that very long tunnel is getting brighter and brighter.
“So . . . you’re punishing him.”
“I’m not punishing him, Angel.”
“Sounds like punishment.”
With a heavy sigh, I sip my coffee and try to enjoy the view from the patio of Bongo Java. What was supposed to be a relaxing trip to my favorite bookstore and lunch with my friend had turned into an interrogation.
“How are things with Eric?” I ask, desperate to talk about anything else. “Have I told you how much Ryder loves piano lessons? He’s such a good teacher.”
“Eric loves him, too, and stop trying to change the subject. What’s going on?”
Honestly, I have no idea where to start. Do I