Take the Chance (Top Shelf Romance #9) - Brittainy Cherry Page 0,43

him, a grin resting on my lips. “She sounds like a wonderful woman.”

He nodded. “She is indeed.”

I walked to the counter and started to trim the flowers for Ollie as he picked out a red vase. The flowers were an arrangement of different colors and styles—a stunning collection. That was my favorite part of my job: when people came into the store and had no idea what they wanted. Roses were gorgeous, yes, and tulips were pretty, too, but there was something so creatively rewarding about being able to have free range and create a piece that expressed the artistic personality of the customer’s loved one.

As I tied a bow around the vase, Ollie narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re ignoring his calls.”

I grimaced for a second, fumbling with the ribbon. “It’s complicated.”

“Of course it is,” he agreed. “We are, after all, talking about Graham.” He lowered his voice and held his fedora to his chest. “Sweetheart, whatever he did, he’s sorry.”

“He was cruel,” I whispered, the bow not quite perfect enough, leading me to untie the ribbon to begin again.

“Of course he was,” he agreed. “We are, after all, talking about Graham.” He softly snickered. “But then again, he’s Graham, which means he didn’t mean it.”

I didn’t say anything else on the subject. “So, the flowers are $44.32, but I’ll give you the first-time visit discount, bringing it to $34.32.”

“That’s very kind of you, Lucy. Thank you.” He reached into his wallet and handed me the money. Then he placed his fedora back on his head and turned to leave.

“Ollie, you’re forgetting your flowers,” I called after him.

He turned back to me and shook his head. “No, ma’am. A friend of mine asked me to stop in to pick out those for you. I asked him some characteristics about you, and that is the creation that came to be.”

“Graham said those things about me?” I asked, my chest tightening a bit as I stared down at the arrangement.

“Well, he gave me one of the words, and I just kind of gathered the others on my own, based on the few moments we spent together.” He cleared his throat and tilted his head. “Listen, I’m not saying you have to go back, but if you do, you’ll prove him wrong.”

“Prove him wrong?”

“Graham lives a life where he believes everyone leaves. If his past has taught him anything, it’s that. So, a part of him feels relief that you left. After all, he was certain you’d disappear eventually, anyway. That’s why he can’t for the life of him stand me. No matter what, I keep showing up, and it drives him bonkers. So, if you in any way, shape, or form want to get back at Graham for hurting you, the best revenge is proving to him that he’s wrong, that not everyone is going to walk out. I promise you, he’ll act like he hates you for it, but remember: the truth lies within his eyes. His eyes will thank you a million times over.”

“Ollie?”

“Yes?”

“Which word did he give you? To describe me?”

“Pure, my dear.” He tipped his hat one last time and opened the door. “He called you pure.”

His brow was knitted, and his arms crossed when I approached him. “You came back,” Graham stated, sounding surprised as I stood on his front porch. “Honestly, I thought you would’ve come back days ago.”

“Why would you have thought that?” I asked.

“Professor Oliver told me you received the flowers.”

“Yes.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That was four days ago.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, it took you long enough to come say thank you.” His stern, dry words were not shocking, but still, for some reason, they shook me.

“Why would I thank you for the flowers? You didn’t even pick them out.”

“What does that matter?” he asked, brushing the back of his neck. “You still received them. You seem ungrateful.”

“You’re right, Graham. I’m the rude one here. Anyway, I’m only here because you left a message saying Talon was sick.” I walked into the house without being invited and took off my jacket then laid it on his living room chair.

“A small fever, but I wasn’t certain that…” He paused. “You came back because she was sick?”

“Of course I came back,” I huffed. “I’m not a monster. If Talon needs me, I’m here for her. You just didn’t leave a message before today.”

“Yes, of course.” He nodded. “Listen…”

“Don’t apologize, it seems too weak.”

“I wasn’t going to apologize. I was going to say I forgive you.”

“Forgive me?! For what?”

He