AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Alana’s melodic laugh could warm the coldest of hearts. “Of course. Anyone is welcome in my kitchen, so long as they’re not Missy.”
“Don’t tell me she’s still trying to steal your recipes after all this time.”
She lets out a huff of air. “That girl has been trouble since high school. She has good intentions and all, but she won’t rest until she wins a Fourth of July Bake-Off.”
“Dahlia!” Lily pops her head out of the shop. “We need your help in here!”
I offer Alana an apologetic look. “Sorry. I better get going.”
“No worries. I should get back to Cal and Cami before they get themselves into trouble.”
“Does that happen often?”
“Only when I leave them alone together for more than five minutes.” Her eyes sparkle.
I pull her into a hug. “It was nice seeing you.”
“Likewise. And remember that you’re welcome to come hang out and cook with me any day.”
“I might have to take you up on that.”
After an inventory count gone wrong, my mom ran to Lake Aurora’s flower farm, leaving Lily and me alone to finish up as many centerpieces as we can with the flowers we have.
“So…” my sister interrupts my mission to get throughtoday’s tasks without thinking or talking.
I look up from my half-assembled bouquet. Lily’s eyes remind me of our dad, with the brown color nearly blending into her pupils. While I take after Mom with my shorter, curvier frame, lighter brown eyes, and softer features, Lily inherited her height, sharpness, and short temper from our dad. With genes like hers, she could have graced the covers of magazines had she not wanted to spend her entire life in Lake Wisteria, running the flower shop.
Lily continues when I don’t speak. “I noticed something interesting.”
“What?”
“You’re not wearing your engagement ring anymore.”
I swallow the thick lump in my throat. “No.”
“Where is it?”
“You’d have to ask Julian.”
“Excuse me?” she screeches.
“I have no idea what he did with it after he threw it in the concrete mixer.”
Her gaze flicks over the faint white line on my finger. “A concrete mixer?”
I can’t help laughing. “Yup.”
“Wow.”
“I know. Crazy, right?”
“Most definitely. But it’s nice Julian helped you get rid of it.”
“Don’t tell me you’re calling himnicenow.”
She raises her hands. “To be fair, he’s matured a lot since you were both in college.”
I press my fingers against my ears. “I can’t hear you.”
