Page 40 of Driven to Love

“I’m so excited. It’s a once in a lifetime event, planning your daughter’s wedding.” Laura gave a little clap.

Shelly cleared her throat.

“I mean, per daughter.”

Laney arched an eyebrow. “Really, Mom?”

“Oh, you know what I mean. Let’s look at flowers.” Laney’s mom pulled her across the store to the huge flower arrangement book.

Addison hung back. She was here for moral support. If Laney needed someone to have her back, she would engage. For now, she peered into the coolers filled with blooms. On a deep inhale, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the amazing fragrance. She could only name three flowers, but she loved the smells.

“Did you hear that? I’m so proud of her. She just shot down her mom’s choice of boutonniere,” Marti whispered. She leaned against the shelves of potted plants. Both of them were spectators… backup, in case a brawl broke out in the fresh-cut blooms section.

Addison watched as Laney showed the florist the picture of the bright bouquet from the magazine. You go, girl!

“What do you guys think?” Laney waved them over to look at the options. “This style, but with these flowers?”

“Love it. Now we just have to find that dress.” Addison didn’t know if the dress or flowers came first, but she had no doubt that Laney would be gorgeous on her wedding day.

They piled back into the car, and Laney set the navigation for the dress shop two towns over. “If I can’t find anything I like there, I’ll make an appointment at one of the bridal shops in the Twin Cities for another day.”

As they pulled out onto the highway, Laney asked, “How was your date last night?”

“Nice.” Addison stared out the window. Her mind circled back to Nash’s lips on hers.

“It must have been good because you either have a rash or that’s whisker burn on your collarbone.” Laney locked gazes with her through the rearview mirror.

Shit. Addison slapped a hand over her neck.

“Wait. What? I thought you had a date with Frank last night?” Marti whipped around in her seat.

“It’s not a rash, is it?” Laney’s brow shot up as she waited for Addison’s response.

“No. It’s nothing.” She racked her brain for another subject.

Marti squinted. “That’s funny. Frank would lose a beard contest to an eleven-year-old boy. The only way you could get whisker burn from him is… Eww.”

“No!” Addison covered her eyes, like she could wipe away the image now poaching on her gray matter. Yuck!

“If it wasn’t Frank, then who?”

Her gaze flitted from Laney to Marti. Nope. They would not be deterred, but no way she’d admit she’d locked lips with Nash.

“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, if you did… I can’t say it. But if you did, it would be the best date of my cousin’s life.”

Addison exhaled. Her shoulders dropped. “Eww, no. I had a nice dinner with Frank. We talked about Star Trek and comic books.”

“That sounds more like my cousin.”

“Then I was driving home, and my car’s engine started to sputter. I was only a couple of blocks from the shop, so I pulled in there, thinking I would leave it and call my mom for a ride.”

“Okay. That doesn’t explain the abrasions.” Marti crossed her arms over her ample chest.

“Nash was there.” Laney grinned like she’d solved a puzzle.

“Oooh. Sexy Mr. Steele was in the shop. Come on. Don’t hold out on us.” Marti bounced in her seat.

“Yes. Nash was there.” So much for not telling them.