AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Everly led the way inside. “The bigger ones will be set up near the entrance.”
Hank carted the heavy pots of greenery into the reception hall, and Everly stayed out of his way, pointing to where each should be placed.
“Please tell Fiona these are gorgeous,” Everly said as she followed Hank outside.
“I’ll let her know you said so. She sent something else for you.” He reached into the front of the truck and pulled out two arrangements in short, square vases. One was white with small, red accents, while the other was mostly red with a white bow around the vase.
“They’re beautiful!” Everly gushed.
Hank handed them over. “She said to let her know which you prefer for the centerpieces on Saturday.”
Everly cradled them in her arms. “I’ll show them to Ava today. I’ll send Fiona a message before the day is over.”
Hank tipped his ball cap with a light-purple flower on the front. “I’ll let her know.”
Everly walked back inside the reception hall and placed one arrangement on a round table near a window. She took photos from different angles with the natural lighting and did the same for the other arrangement. On her way back to her office, she fired off the photos to the group text with Ava and Linda.
Back at her desk, Everly flipped through the photos. It was freeing to know that she didn’t have to make the decisions for the weddings she helped coordinate, but every once in a while, she had a clear preference. The white with red accents was beautiful and simple, and she could imagine chatting with friends at a table with the flowers in the center.
Everly bit her lips between her teeth and sent the photos in a text to Blake.
Everly: White or red?
She set her phone to the side and pulled up the approved vendor list. Hartford Bakery had passed the submission test, and she needed to add their contact information to the form before printing the new copy for her meeting with the Tuckers.
Everly’s phone dinged, and she read the message.
Ava: I don’t know. They’re both beautiful!
The next text appeared on the screen as Everly read.
Linda: They’re both nice, but the drapes are white. The red would give the room more color.
Linda had a point, and the centerpieces would be lovely no matter which Ava chose for her wedding on Saturday.
Ava: Make it red, then.
Everly: Done.
Everly texted Fiona Ava’s request before turning back to her computer. She hadn’t typed one line before another message came through.
Blake: I know I’m a romantic soul, but I’m not really a flower kind of guy.
Everly chuckled. Ever since finding out Everly wrote poetry, Blake had been leaving her little love notes. Just this week, she found a haiku in her car, a rhyming poem in her laptop bag, and a free verse in her purse. Blake had taken advantage of that rhyme too.
Before she laid the phone down, another message came through.
Blake: The white ones.
Everly grinned as she focused on her work. The sooner she could get out of here, the sooner she could see Blake.
***
Hours later, Everly slung her messenger bag over her shoulder and slid her laptop inside. She rode to work with Blake this morning, and he was probably waiting outside. Hopefully, Vera had sent a goodie bag to munch on while he waited.
Everly stepped out into the twilight and spotted Ridge’s truck. Her brother stepped out when he saw her. She locked the door and turned to face him.
With his hands pushed into his pockets, Ridge asked, “Hey, you mind riding home with me?”
