Thorn in My Side (Bunch-A-Blooms 2)

“That’s Olive Bateman. She’s helping coordinate details for Rachel’s wedding.”

“Wait, the local jewelry maker and beauty product creator?” Elise asks.

“Yes?”

“Wow, she’s been getting a lot of buzz recently in the papers. I didn’t realize she was working for you. This is going to be huge for her career.”

“Are you a fan?” I ask amused.

“I like to support local and small businesses. She’s been at this for years. She deserves to have her big break,” Elise says.

I glance over at the woman shaking her head at Kane. Don’t fall for his lines, sweetheart. You’ll be another name on the lengthy list of the brokenhearted.

It takes time, but I manage to get Ms. Bateman on the back patio away from the crowd.

“I wanted to speak with you privately.”

“Have you come up with an idea for the wedding?”

“No, this is about us.”

She tenses.

“You said something that bothered me today. You think I don’t like you?”

“Think? You won’t even use my given name. I’m on a first-name basis with the rest of your family, and yet you remain Mr. Davenport. What else do you think I’d take from that?”

“I simply wanted to keep things professional. Clearly, that ship has sailed because my family is absolutely enchanted by you.”

“But not you?”

“Did I say I wasn’t?”

“You treat me like I carry the plague.”

“I treat you the way I do people I know are capable of delivering the greatness I expect from them.”

“Oh.”

“I don’t dislike you, Olive Bateman. That would make things easier.” I step forward into her space. “I like you too much, and we’ve got months ahead of us to work together.”

My breathing picks up, and I can’t stop the flow of words spilling from my lips. “In a world of black and white, you’re color. Eye-catching, impossible to ignore, and utterly fascinating. I like my world ordered. You live in chaos. It’s controlled, mind you. But there’s a wildness to you.” I shake my head. “I’m more aware of you than I should be, and that bothers me.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t like wanting what I can’t have.” I give into my urges and wind a curl around my finger.

“Who said you couldn’t?” she whispers quietly before covering her mouth with her hands. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

Her words are fireworks going off in my skull. “And yet, you did.” My lips curve into a smile, and I study her with new eyes.

Perhaps I’ve been so busy assuming, I’m in danger of making an ass out of myself. “Tell me.”

“There’s nothing to tell. He, I mean we rub each other wrong,” she says with a shrug.

“I don’t agree. I think maybe it’s the exact opposite.” I caress her face with my eyes.

She licks her lips and swallows. “Mr. Davenport—”