Nip it in the Bud (Bunch-A-Blooms 3)

Chapter One

Willow

I swirl the rum and cola around in my glass and ask myself how I got here again. Licking my wounds didn’t consist of getting dressed up and heading down to the local sports bar, but when Petunia and Olive put their minds together, they’re a force of nature. To be fair, this is more than a ‘shake off rejection’ outing. Petunia and Mason are getting ready to go into preparation for baby mode, and Olive and her husband, Luca, are getting ready to leave on their much-deserved honeymoon they put off for the past three months.

Saying no to heading downtown to visit the sports bar, Lachey’s, wasn’t an option when we have an entire girls’ weekend planned. In the back of my mind, I always thought things would eventually come together for me and Ross. We got along well, and our non-dates were increasing in frequency. The ‘I’m not looking to be more than friends’ talk after dinner and a movie a few weeks back caught me off guard.

His ‘You’re a great girl, but I’m not looking to be in a relationship’ speech is one I haven’t heard since I was in college. The words ring in my ears on repeat, cutting into me like a sharp-edged blade. It wasn’t that hung up on Ross, though his accent and personality do make him a great catch. It was more than that. I’m acutely aware of my single status at the moment. I’m pushing thirty-four with no prospects on the horizon. Which would be fine, if I wasn’t so damn lonely lately. Watching my best friends settle down and prepare to start families is highlighting how much my own love life is sorely lacking.

I glance over at the table where Petunia and Olive are devouring Spinach Artichoke Dip. I volunteered to get the next round, but it was more of a ploy to step away.

“They’re crowded tonight.”

The rich baritone comes from my left. I turn and nearly lose my breath at the sight of the man beside me. His green eyes are full or mirth and humor. Full lips complement a square jawline, and a few pieces of sandy brown hair are visible from beneath his Cincinnati Reds hat. You’ve got to love a man with pride in his city.

“Very. But that’s a good sign. You know the food will be fresh, and the drinks will be on point,” I reply. Dressed in a crisp white T-shirt paired with ripped up dark denim and Timberlands, he exudes masculinity. Turning my body toward him, I continue my appreciative once over. I’m six foot, so he’s easily six foot three or four, and lean.

“That’s true,” he says with a smile, revealing a deep dimple in his left cheek. “Are you here with friends?”

I glance down to hide my smirk. He’s trying to figure out if I’m on a date.

“Yeah, it’s girls’ night. It’s my turn to buy a round. How about you?”

“I’m hanging out with my brother and my cousin. I travel a lot for my job, and it’s been a while since our schedules allowed us all to get together.”

Color me intrigued.

“What do you do?”

He laughs. “If I tell you, everything will change, and I like this conversation we have going too much to let that happen.”

I arch my eyebrow. “Is it illegal?”

He shakes his head. “Not even close. It’s just unusual.”

“I’m all for a little mystique, but you have to give me more than that since you brought it up.”

“How about we make a deal? You tell me more about yourself, and then I’ll tell you more about my job?”

“Very smooth move,” I say with a laugh.

“Just trying to keep the conversation flowing with a beautiful woman.”

Nice. There’s a sweet sincerity about him. I like his playful approach. If he’s feeding me lines, he’s a master at it.

“Okay, I’ll play along.”

He gives me a full-on grin that steals my breath away. There’s an openness to it. You don’t experience that with many people nowadays.

“We should start with introductions. I’m Andrew, but everyone calls me Drew.” He holds out his hand.

“Hi Drew, I’m Willow, and if you want to stay on my good side, you will not call me Will.” We shake, and a jolt of electricity flows through my body. I blink, stunned by the response to skin against skin.

His eyes widen slightly. “Nice to meet you, Willow.”

I like the way my name sounds on his lips. His voice softens, and there’s a touch of something amazingly close to wonder, as if I’m some newly discovered treasure.

“Likewise.”

“So, tell me something about yourself, Willow.”

“I work as a florist.”

“I had a bunch of flower puns that came to mind, but I’m going to bite my tongue, so you don’t see what a nerd I really am.”

I laugh. “No, please, let your geek flag fly. You’re in like-minded company.”

“Careful, you don’t know the Pandora’s box you could be opening.”

I sip on my drink, amused. “I’ve never been afraid of a little risk. Are you going to talk baseball cards to me?”

He snickers. “No, that was never really my first love.”

“Oh, and what is?”