AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s about time,” Jewel said.
Their cousin Taylor was there too, smiling quietly, standing stiffly in front of the counter. She waved briefly. We’d all made plans for a quiet movie night at home tonight.
“I’m here, impatient wenches. Hi, Taylor,” I added since we weren’t close enough for me to lovingly refer to her as a wench. I pushed the door closed to shut out the cold. “This place looks fantastic as always.”
Though most of the stores on the square were closed or closing soon for Thanksgiving Eve, Oopsie Daisies was lit with a warm, welcoming glow. The showroom was stuffed with its usual assortment of pretty things, plus an abundance of stunning Thanksgiving centerpieces. They were Piper’s newest brainchild, and she’d outdone herself.
There were all sizes, from simple candles in wide hurricane vases with acorns, mini pinecones, and twig accents, to three-piece sets that would span a long table, overflowing with pumpkins, squash, greenery, candles, and hand-painted signs saying “Grateful,” “Give Thanks,” and “Family.”
“You still have stock,” I said as I made my way to the sales counter. Jewel was sitting on top of the work counter behind it, and Piper was futzing with an arrangement next to her.
“She’s still churning them out,” Jewel said. “Not because she needs them but because—”
“She can’t be idle,” I said along with Jewel. We shared an amused look.
Taylor laughed. “Some things never change.”
“We’ve had a lot of walk-ins for the centerpieces,” Piper said, ignoring our teasing. “And we still have eleven orders to be picked up.”
“They’re incredible, Pipes.” I stopped at a display to look more closely at a piece with gnomes peeking out from among pumpkins and vines, making a point of not touching it. I didn’t want to break it.
“We’ve been worried about you,” Jewel said.
My eyes teared up out of nowhere, and I swore as I wiped them. “I’m fine,” I said, smiling to show it. “I mean, still messy, but I’m doing a little better.”
“We filled Taylor in on what happened…” Piper said.
“Because you’re afraid I’m a walking disaster and might lose it at any second?” I asked, grinning.
“Something like that,” Jewel answered dryly.
As I reached for a pumpkin decoration, I bumped a basket of decorative apples and they spilled all over the floor. “Something else that never changes,” I said to Taylor, rolling my eyes at myself.
“I’m sorry about Knox,” Taylor said as she pushed back a strand of her dark red hair that had escaped her ponytail.
“Thanks,” was all I could say, pausing from picking up the fake apples that had rolled everywhere to grasp her wrist for a second.
I’d left Knox’s house Monday, made a beeline to my apartment, and been relieved to find it empty. After sinking into my own bed, which wasn’t nearly as comforting and familiar as it’d been just a month before, I’d cried myself into a long, fitful sleep, feeling the heavy weight of sadness smothering me every time I turned over.
My roomies hadn’t realized I was there until evening, after both of them had finished work for the day and heard me sneak to the bathroom. With the three of us piled onto my bed, I’d poured out the story, cried another ocean’s worth of tears, then agreed to a movie-sized box of Milk Duds for my dinner.
Yesterday hadn’t been much different as I slept and grieved and made a point of responding to texts from Piper and Jewel so they wouldn’t come home from work just to check on me. I wasn’t proud of losing two full days to tears, but let’s be real; it wasn’t like I had anything else I needed to do now that Knox had cut me off from my job. Both my jobs if you counted Henry’s.
Jewel hopped down, came around the counter, and hugged me. Then Piper joined us.
“I was medium okay until these wenches had to hug me,” I said to Taylor over Jewel’s shoulder, trying to laugh as my eyes leaked anew. “Love you weirdos.”
“We love you,” Piper said.
“Now tell us about your day.” Jewel squeezed my hand.
“It was…okay,” I said as I blew out my breath, making the wisps of my hair fly outward. “I wouldn’t say good but…helpful.”
The bells on the door jingled behind me, and Rosy McNamara glided in. “Hello, beautiful girls.” We all greeted her. “I’ve heard about these centerpieces from everyone,” Rosy said. “Stars above, these are gorgeous, Piper. I need one.”
Piper laughed. “We’ve got you covered. What are you looking for as far as size and style?”
Rosy glanced around, her eyes sparkling as they darted from one arrangement to the next. “All the boys will be here for dinner tomorrow, so nothing small. For style, they won’t give a hoot, so I’ll go with whatIlike.” She sized up some of the options. “That one. You’ve outdone yourself, darling girl.”
