She pointed to a hanging basket of petunias. “Now, what is the difference between annuals and perennials again? I can never keep that straight.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it, not wanting to be rude. “Perennials will come back again the next year, but annuals only have a growing season of one year.” My phone buzzed again.
She fingered a purple petal. “Do you think these will stand up to the Texas heat?”
More vibrations from my phone. Who in the world wanted to get ahold of me so badly? “If you check the tag there, it’ll tell you how much sunlight each type of plant needs in order to thrive.”
Buzz. Buzz.
“Could you excuse me a second, Annie?”
“Sure, dear.” She continued to study the plants.
I stepped away and slid my phone out as it vibrated again. Are you kidding me? One, two, three…six texts from Harper.
How’s it going?
You’ve still got my notebook, don’t you?
You’re remembering to take notes for me, right? I promise if I ever use any of it in a book, I’ll change your name for anonymity’s sake.
But what’s it been like?
How’s Landon? C’mon! I need some juicy details!
I texted back. No, what you need is a life.
An ellipsis appeared on my screen, followed by: I have a life. As an author. And right now you’re helping me per your signed contract. Now…details, woman!
I shook my head but typed back. No details to give. I told you when I signed that thing that my life was humdrum and wouldn’t be of any use to you or your stories.
Harper replied with a gif of someone dramatically rolling their eyes. Yes, because being forced into a marriage with a hot guy happens to me every day.
My thumbs tapped the screen. Great! Then you don’t need me after all.
She responded quickly. You’re not off the hook that easily. Have you guys kissed yet? Were there fireworks?
Ummm…why would Landon and I kiss? I texted her the question.
Because you’re supposed to be married, silly. Married people kiss.
I thought back to my marriage with Parker. And then quickly put the brakes on that trip down memory lane. Yes, Parker had been affectionate in his own way. Pats on the hands. Quick embraces. There hadn’t been mushy gushy public displays of affection. Or private displays for that matter. When you love someone like a sister…have an inner battle going on that you’re fighting all alone…
I shook my head. Not going there, Ashleigh. Bottom line? I may have been married before, but I had no idea what a real relationship and lasting commitment looked like. Had no idea how other husbands and wives acted toward each other. Did happily married couples kiss with abandon in front of other people? Did they touch each other for no reason at all besides the simple desire to do so?
I had my parents as an example, but their lives were often scrutinized in the political arena, so I was never sure exactly what was genuine and what was for show. And okay, sure, I’d observed a thing or two in my twenty-eight years, but people-watching and personal experience are two very different things. It’s like the difference between reading a Charles Dickens novel and playing a game of MadLibs. One could touch and move you to your core. The other…well, life is funny sometimes.
My phone vibrated in my hand. So? Have you?
No, and I’m not going to.
I had my threefold plan to stick to, with an emphasis on point two—keeping my distance from Landon Novak—ratcheting up in importance. Sure, to protect him from hospitalization, bankruptcy, and sudden death, but…
I swung my gaze to where he stood next to Claire and Noah. Claire had a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Landon stuck out his elbow, and Claire slid her free hand into the crook. They advanced slowly, like a bride and the man giving her away stepping down the aisle at a wedding.
Oh, who was I kidding? I needed to cement enough space between my husband and meto prevent me from making an even bigger fool of myself by falling in love with the man. What a disaster that would be. If I hadn’t really known Parker when we’d been together for four years, how could I ever think knowing Landon four days was enough time to establish a relationship?
I couldn’t. Because it wasn’t. Because I wasn’t. In love with him, I mean. It was just the situation. That’s right. These feelings that caused my skin to tingle when we were close, that caused my stomach to flip when our gazes locked, that caused—
