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

“Oh, that’ll be fun!” Olive exclaims.

“You think so? I mean, they’re ten, maybe they’re not into it.” I shrug.

“No, I’m a grown woman, and I love it. You’ll be fine.” Olive waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.

“You guys, I thought I was ready for this, but now I’m not so sure.”

“It’d be abnormal for you not to be nervous. You’re really into this guy, and kids can make or break any relationship. We know those girls are lucky to have you in their life, and soon enough they will, too.” Petunia leans across the counter and squeezes my hand.

I narrow my gaze. “So you approve of Drew now?”

“It was never him I was worried about as much as his life. He’s got a lot going on … I mean, when does he go back on the road?”

“A couple more months,” I say with a sigh. The thought of not seeing his face on a regular basis is a dark cloud covering the sun.

“Mmm hmm. I’m not saying it’ll be easy because that would be a lie. But I’ll say this: if you guys are as committed as you looked the other day, you can pull it off. Mason really liked him.” Petunia offers me a shy smile. I know it’s the start of an apology.

“Drew liked him, too. He won’t let the Spice Girls’ video footage drop.”

Olive laughs. “I can’t remember the last time we even watched it. Have a seat and eat with us. It’ll be better meeting them on a full stomach.”

“You’re right.” I push a plate toward Olive and make one of my own. Sitting between them, I take a deep breath and force myself to eat.

“I think it’s sweet you’re so nervous. You’re so into this guy,” Olive says as we talk around bites.

“I think he’s my one,” I whisper the truth, finally admitting the secret I’ve been holding close to my chest.

“Whoa,” Petunia whispers.

“I knew it,” Olive says.

“How?”

“It’s in the way you two look at each other like no one else exists. You still haven’t bumped uglies, right?” Olive asks.

“No.”

“Then how will you know if there’s a spark? What if you aren’t sexually compatible?” Petunia asks.

I clear my throat. “Trust me, we are. There’s a lot of other things you can do that aren’t intercourse. The man sets me on fire and has no problems pleasing me.”

“Oh, shit,” Olive whispers.

“Well damn,” Petunia replies.

“When we come together it’s going to be life-altering. No man has made me feel the way he does.”

Olive fans her face. “Girl.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe there’s something to waiting. When we come together, it’s going to be special and with my best friend who I know inside and out.” I shrug, unable to fully convey the way it makes me feel.

“And you don’t feel like you’re missing out?” Olive asks.

“On what? It’s not like I had random hookups before him. I would still be celibate, only with no end of the drought in sight.”

Petunia snorts. “Drought.”

“Well, it was a dry time … literally.”