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Piper rang up the centerpiece with sunflowers, dahlias, eucalyptus, apples, and more, then packed it in a box.
“The apples are genius,” Rosy said. “Everyone else will have pumpkins.” She affected a smug expression. “We’ll have apples.”
“Local ones from Appleberry Farm,” Piper told her.
“I don’t imagine it’s a hardship to do business with Luke Durham,” Rosy said as she took out her wallet from her oversized purse. “Still a hottie.”
“He’s great but not my type,” Piper said. “Even if I was attracted to him, the instant parenthood thing is a turn-off for me, you know?”
Jewel’s gaze swung to me, and she frowned sympathetically.
“That’s just me though,” Piper added quickly, as if remembering I was the exact opposite.
“Are you doing all the cooking tomorrow?” I asked Rosy, hoping she didn’t catch on to my friends’ meaning.
“You bet I am. Thanksgiving is my favorite meal to cook,” Rosy said with her usual hippie-tinged sparkle.
Minutes later, the door closed after her, leaving the four of us alone again.
“You were telling us about your day,” Jewel said impatiently, leaning against Piper’s work counter, watching me. I still stood near Taylor on the customer side, nervous energy pumping through me at the same time I was bone-tired.
Piper came around the counter to rearrange merchandise, filling the space from Rosy’s centerpiece. “Yeah, how was your trip to campus?”
I glanced out the windows, checking that no one was heading toward the store.
“We’re alone for now.” Piper came up beside me, leaned against the main counter, and wove her arm through mine. “Tell us about it.” To Taylor, she said, “She insisted on going to Nashville alone.”
“To think,” I explained.
“I get that,” Taylor said with a sympathetic smile. “Believe me. Although lately I’ve maybe overdosed on alone time.”
“Which is why we wouldn’t have taken no for an answer tonight,” Piper said.
Taylor expelled a breath. “Yeah. Thank you for including me. Most of the time I’m okay, but holidays…and being in that house…”
“You’re welcome to join us anytime,” Jewel said. “We’ve told you that.”
“Maybe we should set her up with someone too.” Piper was eyeing her as if she was getting ideas.
“No,” Taylor said emphatically. She smiled though, as if this wasn’t the first time Piper had brought it up. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind having a boyfriend, but a setup sounds terrifying.”
“If you start coming out with us, we’ll introduce you to single guys,” Jewel said. “If that’s what you want.”
“You know a lot of the guys around here anyway.” Piper wiped some dust off the counter. “Or you could take a page from Quincy and try the older set. She says they know how to please a lady.”
“I’m good,” Taylor said. “It’s getting a little easier. Quincy was going to tell us about her day.”
“Pour me a drink, and I’ll talk,” I said.
“Sold!” Jewel headed into the back room.
“Brilliant idea,” Piper said.
“Red or white?” Jewel called out.
Piper looked to me.
“Red.” No question.
