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“I love that he sends you food so often,” Heather says with a wink to me. “I mean, how romantic is that?”
“You know about it?”
“Honey, all of Bitterroot Valley knows about it. And let me just say, we’re all rooting for you because that Chase Wild is just…” She fans her face with her hand, making us all laugh.
“I won’t disagree with you there.” I open a box and take a sniff at the pepperoni with olives that Chase knows I like. “This looks fabulous. Thanks, Heather.”
“Anytime, sweetie. You all enjoy, and I’ll see you later.”
She offers us a wave, and then she’s off, and Ida, Sharla, and Vickie join me to devour a pizza. Margie is out on some deliveries, but we’ll be sure to save her some.
The afternoon moves by quickly, all of us taking turns with the phone, printing off online orders, and making bouquets.
It’s approaching five when the bell above the door rings again, and I turn to see Evan walking in. I haven’t seen much of him in several weeks.
“Well, hi there, Evan. How’s it going?”
“Just fine. It occurred to me that I haven’t seen much of you recently, and I was walking by, thought I’d stop in and see how you are.”
“You know, I was just thinking the same. I’m doing well, thanks. What have you been up to?”
“Oh, you know, slaving away in the office by day and soaking up the last bit of summer when I finally manage to escape.”
I grin and nod at him as I walk around the counter and set a plant that I just unboxed on a shelf for sale.
“I hear you. The days are getting shorter and shorter, and soon, it’ll be winter.”
“Don’t say that word,” he says with a frown. “Don’t tempt the snow gods.”
I chuckle and tuck my hair behind my ear. “You’re right, I won’t say it again. So, business is good?”
“Someone’s always suing someone else,” he says. “And I saw your father not long ago.”
That has my back going straight, and I’m immediately reminded why I’ve always kept my distance from Evan.
“Oh?”
“I was in Helena last weekend for a political party thing, and he was there. He said to tell you hello.”
“Interesting.” That’s about all I have to say about that. Evan has political aspirations, and that’s why he wanted to date me in the first place.
It reeked of Dennis, and I wanted nothing at all to do with that.
“It was fun. You should go with me next time, see your folks, and spend some time with me.”
His hand snakes out to move down my hip, just as the bell sounds over the door and Chase walks in. He takes in the scene before him, narrows his eyes when they land on Evan’s hand on my hip, and he snarls, “Don’t make me draw my weapon.”
I laugh, but Chase doesn’t move his gaze until Evan removes his hand.
“Oh, hey, Chase.” Evan’s all smiles. “Summer and I were just talking about getting away to Helena together.”
“Whoa.” I hold up a hand as Chase’s jaw tightens. “We were absolutely not saying anything of the sort. I have no intention of going to Helena anytime soon, Evan.”
His eyes turn cold as he looks between me and Chase, and I reach for Chase’s hand, linking our fingers.
“I hadn’t heard,” Evan says stiffly.
“I find that very hard to believe,” is all Chase says before Evan turns and walks out the door.
