Page 74 of Dandelions and Smoke

“I had a foster sister with me for six of those months, and on a whim I bought her a flower for Valentine’s Day, thinking she might like it.” He looks down at the flower in my hand, and his eyes become distant as a small smile forms. “When she burst into tears, I thought I did something wrong. Turns out no one had ever thought of her on Valentine’s Day before, so now I make sure to always bring a flower to the people in my life who matter.”

He shrugs as if what he’s said isn’t the most thoughtful thing I’ve ever heard. Barely able to see him because of the tears filling my eyes, I pull him into a hug and exhale a shuddering breath. He’s stiff at first, but his body relaxes, and he rubs a small circle against my back.

“Thank you,” I say, pulling back and wiping at the corner of my eyes, my heart feeling full.

He flashes a mischievous smile, eyes sparkling. “I’m glad you like it. Mark argued with me about only getting one flower instead of a whole bouquet.”

I snort as a laugh bubbles out of me. “You bought Mark flowers?”

Billy’s head jerks back in feigned offense, his hand flying dramatically over his heart. “Men deserve flowers too, Pinky.”

“I guess so,” I say, standing corrected.

He gives me a wink when he sees Ainsley step away from the counter and heads her way. Noticing the bouquet in his other hand, I’m not even the least bit surprised when he hands the entire arrangement to her.

Hopefully, he doesn’t notice all the other flowers she has lining the counter that the other bachelors of the town thought to bring her—bachelors including Alex Marquez. I’ve got nothing against the guy, but he isn’t Billy, and that’s enough for me not to be rooting for him. Not that Ainsley acts even remotely interested in anyone. She spends more time trying to convince us she’s not into Billy than anything else, though, so I’m putting my money on him. Perhaps tonight at The Boozy Bear’s Singles Night they’ll finally change that.

Time finally passes as I play matchmaker in my head, sharing my big plans for the night with the patrons nearby while I help clean up after the lunch rush. Tris has run out to give Ellie a quick walk, and once she gets back, I can prepare for the romantic date that Chief has been hinting at all week.

I spent last night at Chief’s re-coloring my hair pink, making an absolute mess, and Emma helped me pick out a cocktail dress and heels. He won’t tell me exactly where we’re going or what we’re doing, but I was told to dress to impress, so my hopes are high and I’m practically vibrating with excitement.

I’m sweeping at the front of the cafe when a woman clears her throat to get my attention. I noticed her sitting there earlier, but lost in thought, I’d forgotten all about her.

“Hi there,” I say in my friendly customer service voice. “How can I make your day better?”

She tilts her head, expression dripping with disdain.

“I highly doubt you’re capable.” She delivers the insult with the sweetness of a compliment.

I’m so thrown off guard that I stand before her, gawking. It takes a second, but I find my voice.

“Excuse me?” I ask, making sure I heard the stranger correctly.

Instead of repeating herself, she looks me up and down, face pinched like she’s smelled something bad. Under her obvious scrutiny, I lean the broom against the wall before crossing my arms and standing up straighter.

“Like what you see?” I ask once she’s had her fill, feeling the softness drain from my expression, leaving it set and unyielding.

She clicks her tongue before speaking. “I thought you’d be shorter.”

Not willing to let whoever this woman is get the reaction she so clearly wants from me, I steel my expression into a fixed look of calm on the verge of boredom as I blink my eyes with an exaggerated slowness.

“Ma’am.” A thrill of satisfaction steadies me as she bristles at being called ma’am, and I take a moment to savor it. “Am I supposed to know who you are or something?” The words fall from my lips like a monotone hum before I smile innocently and bat my eyes.

Her green eyes narrow, but as fast as she appears shaken, she smooths her features.

“You should.” One corner of her mouth lifts, eyes sharp with challenge. “I’m sure Garrett has mentioned me, his wife.”

“Ex-wife,” I correct immediately, understanding dawning on me as I draw in a slow breath.

“Semantics,” she shrugs.

My patience is hanging by a thread, and she’s just handed me the scissors.

“No, it’s comprehension. Now that I know that’s not your strong suit, everything makes perfect sense.”

She adjusts in her chair and holds out her hand for me to join her. Looking around, debating if I really want to do this here, I realize this might be the only opportunity I get to tell her what I think. When I don’t see Ainsley, and since Tris still hasn’t arrived, I take a seat across from her, eyeing her up like an opponent or, better yet, a snake about to strike.

“Go ahead, since you know so much.” She opens her palm and waves before me, her tone so condescending it makes my teeth grind. “Enlighten me.”