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“Are you serious?” Carly asked Cora.
“That’s right. I’m hosting the first wedding at the farm this spring. It’s for Max, the owner of Max’s Bar & Grill in Annapolis.”
“I know that restaurant. I’d love to see your farm.”
I pulled out a Happily Ever Afters business card and handed it to her. “Call if you’d like to schedule a time to walk the grounds. I’ve only just started planting for spring.”
“I’ll do that.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be gorgeous.” Cora wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.
The couples drifted off to get drinks, and Cora turned to me. “I’m so excited for you.”
“They seemed genuinely interested in the subscription plans and maybe even a wedding.”
“I bet they tell their girlfriends about it, and the news spreads.”
“It was only two couples,” I said, trying not to get my hopes up.
“You need to go to more networking events in Annapolis. Get the word out. Just tell them what you’re doing. Your passion comes through in your words.”
“Maybe that was always the problem with the store. I was inside, usually in the back room, hiding from the customers.”
“You can’t be an introvert when you own your own business. I mean, in some ways you can, but if it’s not working, you need to change course. Sometimes it’s as simple as talking about it. You don’t even have to advertise a sale. People here might not know about Petals since it’s in a neighboring town. But how many people in Annapolis haven’t realized there’s a florist shop on Main Street, or that you’re offering monthly deliveries of bouquets?”
Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to attend more community events to spread the word about what I was offering.
I hugged Cora, so happy I came tonight and opened myself up to new ideas. “Thank you for supporting me.”
Cora smiled. “I want you to do well too.”
I didn’t mention that my parents didn’t seem to want the same because it didn’t seem as big of an issue as it was before. Their opinion didn’t matter, especially if it wasn’t propelling me forward. I wanted to surround myself with people who were excited about the future of Petals subscription services and the future of weddings and parties at my farm.
My grandparents had a great relationship, and I knew they would have loved other couples hearing about their story. Maybe even riding in Grandpa’s Pontiac GTO.
The farm had a rich history, and it deserved to be celebrated. If my mother was embarrassed that she was raised on a farm, then that was her problem. Not mine.
Jake returned empty-handed, his jaw tight. Cora excused herself, saying she needed to mingle with some of the investors.
I wrapped a hand around his arm that was stiff. “Is everything okay? I thought you were getting a drink.”
“I went to the restroom. Kind of forgot about grabbing a drink. Did you want one?”
“I kind of want to get out of here.” I’d made some new connections I could follow up with in the next few weeks. I was pleased with the developments I hadn’t even been anticipating when we came here tonight. I was eager to get Jake home alone.
He looked handsome in his suit, and I knew I wouldn’t see him in another one anytime soon. This was a one-time thing, and I wanted to take advantage of it.
“Are you sure?” Jake tugged at his collar as he looked around the room uncertainly.
“I had the best conversation with Cora’s partners, and it sparked so many ideas. I’m excited about getting started, but I can’t do any of that tonight. I have other plans for the evening.”
Jake’s gaze rested on me. “Yeah?”
“I’m interested in getting this suit off you.”
“Me too. You have no idea,” Jake mumbled.
Not seeing my parents anywhere in the ballroom, we headed to the lobby to ask the valet to bring around Jake’s truck. He was quiet, standing a foot away, not touching me. I wondered if something happened when he went to the bathroom. Had he run into my mother or someone else? An uneasy feeling passed through me.
