AllFreeNovel
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He’d chosen the path of a professional athlete, while I’d chosen the path of an artist. Not to mention the fact that he was Steven’s best friend. He embodied everything I needed to stay away from.
“For someone that boasts the importance of being true to yourself and following your joy, you sure are in a sad state.”
“I am not sad.”
Sometimes lonely, but not sad.
“Fine, you’re not sad.” Her mouth formed a tight line of annoyance. “Since you’re not going to be honest with me about Flynn, I’ll try a different approach. Are you worried about this show?”
“Not really. The only thing I have left to do is the greenery install over the mantle—”
“It’ll just splay across the top, right?” Madison interrupted, her eyes wide. “Colton gets really apprehensive when I attach things to the mantle. He’s already stressed enough about having this whole thing take place at the inn. We haven’t even really had a chance to be open to the public.”
“I will take great care of his fireplace, Madison.” I chuckled, thankful for the subject change. “He realizes that you’re the one that signed the inn up for the show, right?”
“It’s not every day that the hottest-rated television dating showevercalls and wants to book your inn. I can’t believe the other place canceled at the last minute. But their loss.”
“Definitely their loss.”
I’d never seen the show and had no intention of watching it. Especially not with Flynn as the man everyone fought over. I didn’t want him. That ship had sailed. But that didn’t mean I wanted to see him date several women at once, either.
Madison, on the other hand, watched every single season without fail. And every spin-off it produced. The franchise made money hand over fist, and though I enjoyed teasing her about her decision to let them film at the Sugar Plum Inn, I applauded her for it.
They’d likely book out their schedule for at least a year in advance once it aired, maybe longer. The exposure from appearing on the show would put our town on the map in a new way, something I desperately wanted for The Flower Café.
Sure, I’d seen moderate success since opening. No one had ever seen anything like it before, the mixture of plants, flowers, and my sometimes-exotic menu.
Over time, word spread about my offerings, like my lemon lavender butter cookies. I’d started serving party trays with things like roasted beet and goat cheese dip using local farms. And without meaning to, I’d become a crutch in the crunchy community because of my affinity for using all natural food dyes.
“This is going to be good for you, too, Harper.”
Madison’s quiet comment pulled me out of my thoughts, and I idly wondered how long I’d been zoned out. Trying to expand my customer base weighed heavily on my mind these days, and I hoped being on this show would help me. It’s the only reason I’d agreed to The Flower Café being featured on a one-on-one date.
That, and the paycheck that came from being the exclusive floral provider for the show. Growth wasn’t cheap, and I’d poured every cent I had into the business.
One more difference between Flynn and me: I was most certainly not wealthy.
“I hope so.”
“Iknowso. Just look at what you’ve created here.”
“You know, I think you might be prouder of me than my parents are.” I laughed, but the sound fell flat.
“They just don’t understand you.”
“They’re still mad I didn’t join their real estate empire.” I swiped the plate from in front of Madison and headed toward the back.
“Maybe. But who cares? You created this awesome fusion café around nature and landed a high-profile floral job.” Her voice grew louder as she got closer.
I’d darted away quickly enough that it took her a moment to catch up. Bitterness sat on my tongue at the reminder that I seemed to constantly be chasing someone’s approval, and I wondered when I’d ever feel good enough.
For whom?
Shaking that thought away, I turned to face Madison. “I think I’ve got everything handled here for now. Want to head to the inn? I need to finish the mantle and make sure everything else is ready.”
“Can I help spritz? It makes me feel like I have less of a black thumb.”
“Sure.” I chuckled, aware of how black Madison’s thumb was. She’d once killed an orchid I’d given her, and they were one of the heartiest flowers out there. I’d even set up a watering schedule for her.
