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Lily’s face tightened immediately. “He really can’t.”
“What? What’s wrong?” An alarm pulsed through me, and I shifted in my seat.
“He came in here, asking questions about you.” Lily grabbed her phone, and I was moved from the arrangement table to the break room. “After those sexy pictures of you at the Gala came out, he came round here demanding I tell him everything about where you were, who you were with, and when you were coming back.”
“Oh Lily. I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Don’t be! It’s not your fault he’s a creep. I told him where to stick it and threatened to get George from the hardware store over and he bolted. Then when I popped into the vets to let them know how you were doing, he was already there.” Cups clattered as Lily busied herself making tea. “He was asking the same shit and we sent him packing.”
“Fuck. It’s been a few weeks,” I groaned. “I thought he would have gotten bored and moved on by now.”
He was the one thing I was not looking forward to seeing on my trip back home. All this work here to save my house, to get over him and strengthen myself, and yet he was still there, clinging to my life like a leech.
“He’s a psychopath. I’m tempted to tell the Sheriff if he comes here again.”
“Do it,” I insisted. “Keep yourself safe.”
“Oh, I will honey, don’t you worry. Speaking of, though—.” Cup in hand, Lily finally reappeared on screen and smiled. “Mr. Adler was in here too, talking about even security for the festival and he not so subtly was asking about you too.”
“What?” That completely derailed my thoughts about Shane. “What did he want?”
“He saw you in the magazine too and wanted me to call you. Said if you spread your word to your new rich friends, it would help us all. Tell her to put in a good word, eh? New blood, Lily. That’s what we need!”
We both collapsed into laughter at Lily’s impression, and I clutched my cup tighter to prevent spillage.
“Oh god, I hadn’t even thought of that. I don’t think anyone here cares about small-town traditions.”
“That’s understandable,” Lily said. “Well, I’ve done my part.”
“Is planning going well?” The hot coffee warmed my soul as well as my body as I drank.
“It’s stressful as all hell but I love it. The streets are done, houses are done. I’ve finished the window displays and the Town Square is decorated and ready for the party.”
“I’m so proud of you!” I grinned. “I’m so sorry I’ve missed it. I really wanted to be there to help you.”
“Hey, it’s no sweat. It’s been fun, plus there’s always next year, right?”
“Ohh look at you. In a few weeks you’ve gone from stunned at victory to ready for next year.”
“Hey,” Lily laughed. “I’ve seen my work on a large scale now. I know I’m capable.”
“You were always capable,” I reassured her. “I knew you were.”
Lily’s face softened. “Thank you. Oh, speaking of, are you going to follow tradition?”
“Hm?”
“A rose to your men?”
“Oh!” Typical of town tradition, people gave a gold-tipped rose to the person they were interested in, as a sign of affection and invitation to the party. It was a tradition that I had only taken part in once when Lily gave me a rose – Shane never bothered his ass.
“I don’t know. I think we might be beyond the roses since we’ve already slept together,” I chuckled.
“Nonsense!” Lily exclaimed. “It’s cute and funky and even the rich can’t turn their noses up at it. I’ll send you some.”
Would they accept? There was no dance to go to, but it did force me to consider what would come next. Did I want to stay in contact with these people? The answer of yes was immediate in my thoughts. Were my feelings deeper than the simple lust of attraction? Again, yes blared through my mind. A light crush, more than that, had nestled under my skin but I hadn’t given it much consideration with everything else going on. Now, here with Lily reeling off the hotel address to check, and a moment to think about it… my mind was clear.
I did like them. All of them. Seeing them again, more than just for the excitement of the city would be amazing but what if they didn’t feel the same way? What if, to them, I was just a passing fling?
