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

“Better thank God. Though the whole morning part is false advertisement.”

I snicker. “How much do you bet Olive isn’t far behind you in the baby boom category?”

“The way Luc looks at her, I’m surprised she hasn’t been spontaneously impregnated.”

“He’s so into her it’s almost sickening, isn’t it?” I ask with a laugh.

“She deserves that type of devotion. She loves hard.”

“This is true,” I agree.

“I know someone else who used to be the same way. I thought maybe that had changed, but I see stars in your eyes again. It’s a look I like.”

I shrug. “I just needed a bit of magic to help me remember.”

“Magic?”

“Yeah, magic. That feeling in your belly and your soul when it’s more than lust, but less than love. When the infinite realm of possibilities stretches before you.” I twist the flower into place, pinning it to the foam block as I allow myself to ask what if. It’s scarily easy to imagine life with Drew. It should scare the hell out of me. Yet it doesn’t. I’ve waited a long time to find the right man. Maybe I finally got it right. The thought makes me smile.

“Holy shit, someone finally cracked that shell you put up around yourself.”

“Yeah, he did. I should’ve known the second I saw his dimpled smile I was a goner.” It felt good purging to my best friend. It made things feel more official.

We continue to play catch up as we work on the order and I can’t help but marvel at the contentment that has settled over my life.

***

Drew

“Are we ever going to meet this mystery woman taking up your time?” Amanda asks.

I glance down at my little sister and shake my head. With her curly, dirty blonde locks and bright blue eyes, she favors my mother in more than looks. I knew it was a matter of time before the women in my life started getting invasive. Willow and I have been figuring things out for a couple months now, and our conversations and dates haven’t gone unnoticed. The important people in our life are growing curious.

“Don’t ease into the question or anything,” Chris says sarcastically.

“What? Like we weren’t all thinking it.” Amanda elbows my younger brother, Chris, and I chuckle.

“Soon,” I promise.

“Is this the chick from the bar?” Chris asks.

“Yeah.”

“Wait, you met her?” Amanda huffs.

“Calm down. I saw her from across the room when they first met. No introductions were made.”

“Good. I thought you might’ve been holding out on me.” Amanda glares.

Chris rolls his eyes. Twenty-nine and thirty, the two remain as thick as thieves despite their bickering. Just nine months apart, they’ve always had a special bond. The connection reminds me of the one that exists between Ilana and Neomi.

“I’m shocked Mom isn’t riding you for information,” Amanda mumbles.

I glance through the sliding glass doors to the kitchen where the girls are setting the table while Mom finishes dinner. “She drops hints. I think she’s just glad I’m getting back out there.”

“It’s long overdue,” Chris agrees.

“Between the twins, touring, and recording I didn’t have much time to meet a woman, let alone get to know them properly. It seemed like every woman I came into contact with was after me for what they thought I could give them.” I shake my headed thinking of the failed attempts at dating.