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“I need something that speaks volumes.”
“Nothing here talks, I can promise you that.”
Landon drew himself up to his full height. “You have nothing that saysI’m sorry, I overreacted and was a complete ass?”
“Not here.” I wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic or not, but I answered it that way. “But I’ve heard Daisy’s Delights has a package deal on those.”
“Daisy’s Delights, eh?” He pulled his hands over his face, removing all expression, and then tapped the display case. Once. Twice. With a pinched expression on his face, he blinked. “Thanks for the tip.”
And just like that he was gone.
“Who was that?” Sylvia asked as she walked into the front, her arms stretched out with a fresh tray of desserts.
I opened the display case doors so she could slide the tray onto the bottom rack. “He was in the wrong store.”
“Tourists.” She shook her head. “You should’ve tried to sell him on the special.”
My focus drifted toward the door as the bells jingled overhead. “Wasn’t in long enough for me to make the suggestion.”
Having figured I’d blown it completely with Landon, I had to start thinking about a new way to meet Cedar; Everest had texted one line this morning about how our father had a rough night and his rambles were getting worse. Time wasn’t a luxury I had at my disposal anymore. But how was I going to tell Cedar that? The best idea I’d come up with was to run into her, but every scenario I had in my head sounded stupid and childish. I needed a more grown-up idea. What I really needed was Landon back. To smooth things over and try again.
As if he’d heard my thoughts, Landon walked back in the door baring a bouquet of purple flowers. In seven steps he crossed the hardwood floors and stood before me.
“You were right, thank you. Daisy’s Delights had the perfectI fucked upgesture.” He handed me the flowers tied together with purple ribbon. “I’m sorry.”
I gave him a long blink, and then another, before I reached out and grabbed the stems. “Okay.”
The flowers smelled lovely and something about the scent settled me to the core.
“They’re purple hyacinth in case you’re curious.” He cocked his head quickly. “I know I was. They’re supposed to express sadness over a situation and be a way to ask for forgiveness.”
Movement on my right grabbed my attention. Sylvia was walking out of the kitchen with another tray. That was all I needed, an audience.
“This is the part where you’re supposed to accept my apology and forgive me.” He tucked his chin into his chest.
He hadn’t really asked for an apology, and I wasn’t even sure what he was apologizing for, however, I wasn’t about to cause a scene.
I shrugged. “All’s forgiven.”
“Just like that? I don’t need to grovel? Or explain?” He sounded surprised.
“You can explain later, for sure, but no, no groveling. God, that would be embarrassing. For us both.” I shook my head and lessened the distance between us as I walked out from behind the counter and over to him.
Sylvia was watching intently, so I lowered my voice and turned my back to her. “What is it you think you did wrong?”
“I snapped at you.”
“When exactly?”
“A couple of days ago. You know, after.” He tipped his head to the side and bobbed it slightly as his eyes widened.
I leaned my head back and stared at the ceiling. “Trust me, you didn’t snap. Overreacted a tad to my innocent statement, yeah, you get the trophy for that.”
“It’s a personality flaw – I tend to overreact easily. Eric used to call me Shatner.” He rocked on his heels. “Actually, he still does. Lily too.”
The name was funny, but I held back a laugh because I didn’t understand the meaning.
“So, we’re okay? Really?” His shoulders hunched and a confused worry filled his face.
