“Fine, but if there’s a question we don’t want to answer, we’re saying no comment.”
“I don’t give a shit if you flip them off, just go sit at the table and fucking smile. Make those reporters wet themselves for all I care.”
I watch Trixie leave, throwing her hands in the air and mumbling to herself. I look over at Harrison, who is stoic. “I guess we need to go out there.”
“Yep,” he says as he walks toward the door. I follow in step, just like usual. This was something Sam had done for us, lined us up. She always said it was important that I was the last one to enter. Even though she’s gone, we’re still walking the same way.
As soon as we’re visible to the reporters the clicking of shutters and bright lights of bulbs are going off like crazy. I’m instantly on edge, and as I sit down next to Layla, I realize I don’t want to be here. I’m also hit with the fact that for the first time in years, I miss Sam right now. When I look up, I quickly see Mr. Moreno, a.k.a. Sal, in the corner. He tips his glass to me as I fight the urge to flip him off.
Every fiber of my being is telling me to chase after Bianca and ask for more. Not for another apology, but for more of her story. Maybe if she can explain her life to me, I can help Liam understand, even though I’m not sure I fully grasp everything she just told me. What I do know is Liam and I, as a couple, have been robbed of a relationship with Bianca. To me, Sterling is a lost cause. Even if he showed up full of apologies, I can’t see myself listening to him, let alone believing a word that comes out of his mouth.
Since Liam and I started dating, I’ve been the outcast - someone who would never be good enough for their son. The photographic memories Liam and I share have always included my family or Katelyn’s and Mason’s. The Westburys were always absent from all of them. I don’t even know if his mother ever posed with him for a prom photo. My guess is she didn’t, especially knowing he was going with me.
I head to work before more anger starts to set in. I can’t dwell on the past or change what has happened. I can only make a change for the future, if that’s what I want. I’m not sure it is though. How much effort do I put forth not knowing whether Bianca would return the gesture or not? Or whether she would be allowed to? We all know Sterling is controlling but Bianca came to my baby shower so either she’s sneaking out, or he’s just too old to care. Or maybe she’s had enough and is standing up to him. I have to admit I find the latter harder to believe.
As soon as I enter the florist side of my business, Jenna barely pops her head up from under the counter. I give her my best ‘what the hell look’, causing her to shake her head.
“I’m restocking,” she says disappearing under the counter.
“I did that last night.” I walk around and find the wrapping paper scattered all over the floor.
Jenna sits back on her knees and sighs. “I made the mistake of letting Eden loose for a few minutes and apparently she didn’t like the way we had things.”
“At least she’s cute,” I say to Jenna’s back. Eden is adorable and has everyone wrapped around her little finger, but she’s a complete terror when she’s on a mission and nothing seems to be able to change her mind.
“Let me help you.” I bend down and start gathering the sheets of paper we use to wrap the flowers in. “How are you doing?” I ask her, curious if I’m losing touch with reality because while I miss Liam, the pain I was feeling earlier – the heartache – has subsided and that scares me. This is also the first time Jimmy’s been gone since the shooting.
Jenna shrugs and slides her stack of paper back into the cubbyhole. It doesn’t escape my notice that she’s wiping away tears. I don’t know if they’re from Jimmy being gone, or because of Eden causing havoc. “It gets easier, right?” When she looks at me, her eyes are red and puffy. I drop my stack, adding to Eden’s mess, and pull her into my arms.
“I want to tell you yes, that it does get better, but I would be lying. I think we just get used to it.” I pull back and wipe away her tears. “It’s different for each of us. I was asking myself the same thing earlier. I’m not in agony over him being gone; does that mean I love him less?”
She shakes her head. “I’m so worried though. What if he’s not ready to be all crazy up on stage?”
I return to my stack and hand it to her, waiting for her to slide the papers back in. “What does Xander say?”
Jenna shrugs again. “Jimmy says everything is fine and Xander agrees, but I can’t help feeling they’re not being honest with me. I’ve seen him get winded chasing Eden around the house! He tells me it’s nothing and that he’s out of shape, but how can that be if he’s working out all the time?”
“I think being on stage and chasing a toddler around are two different things. When he’s on stage, the exhilaration will keep him going. Besides, you know Liam and Harrison aren’t going to let anything happen to him.”
“I know,” she sighs, as she picks up the last stack of paper. “I think I’m looking for excuses for him to come home. I was thinking of taking a couple of days off and going out there.”
Her thought gives me the same idea but with Noah’s schedule, I can’t. He needs at least one parent at his games. If he weren’t playing baseball right now, we’d both be in California with Liam.
“I think you should. I think Jimmy will like that, and maybe it’ll put your mind at ease.”
“You think?”
“I do, and you guys can find time to take Eden to Disneyland. I bet she’d love that.”
Jenna wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. She knows I’d do anything for her and if that means she needs time off, she can have it. Truthfully, she does me a favor by working here.
We’re still sitting on the floor when a young man steps up to the counter. We were both so lost in our conversation that we didn’t hear the chime on the door.
“Sorry,” I say as I scramble to my feet. “We didn’t hear you come in.”
“It’s cool,” he says. “I’d like a dozen red roses for my girlfriend.”
Jenna starts to work on his arrangement while I take all of his information and process his order.
“What’s the occasion?” I ask, as he signs his credit card receipt.
“No reason. I was walking by and saw the flowers in the window. I love her and think she should know that I’m thinking about her even as I’m walking down the street.”
Jenna and I both swoon. “She’s lucky to have you. Would you like us to deliver them?” I ask.
“Do chicks like that?”
Jenna giggles. “Is she at work?”
“Yes, she works over at the bank.”
“Then yes,” Jenna says, as she walks around the counter to pick out a vase. “Her co-workers will all dote on her and tell her how lucky she is. They’ll be jealous. Believe me, it’s a good thing.”
“All right, then. How much is delivery?”
“It’s on the house,” I say, before Jenna can tell him the price. This young man is clearly smitten with his girl, and he reminds me of Liam. It’s the least I can do for him.
“Thank you.” He stays to inspect the flowers and chats with us for a few more minutes. When they’re ready, Jenna tells me she’s going to walk them over to the bank and asks if I don’t mind manning the shop. I wave her off. She should know that I don’t mind staying.
The way the café was built, I can watch the flower shop while standing at the register of the café. It was done this way because I never thought I’d need staff for both sides. The café part is booming, especially during meals. In between the peak times, we have patrons who come in who read, gossip, and even write their novels. I like to think of the café as a happy place.
Dana and David are working tonight, training Pete and Tracy, who are both older and looking to supplement their income. My plan is to promote Dana at the end of the month once she tells me if she’s staying on through the summer or not.