Pit Stop: Baby! (Crescent Cove 4)

“What are you doing?”

I pulled my earbud out of my ear. “The main arrangement.”

“You’re using too many lilies. This is a three-hundred dollar piece, not five-hundred. Trim that down and fill with the alstroemerias.”

“But those look chintzy with the callas.”

“Not if you do it right. And they’re far more affordable. If you fill in with other flowers, they look just as pretty.”

I snapped my jaw shut and tugged out the blooms. I’d done a damn good job and it was well within the budget she’d listed. Fucking cheap ass.

“I can hear what you’re thinking. You’re already on thin ice, young lady.”

Oh, she couldn’t hear what I was thinking. And that was a good thing.

Kathy swiped the lilies off my table and marched to the back to put them back in the cooler.

The bell over the door jangled and I shut my eyes. “What are you doing here?”

Gage came in with a pair of to-go cups. “Bribing my favorite girl.”

“I’m not your girl.” But I took the cup greedily. I was so blasted tired. I could literally curl up under my table and take a nap. Maybe I could sleepwalk my way through the shitty floral arrangement I had to do.

Then again, I’d probably use up all the lilies. My sleeping self was smart enough to avoid boobytraps, I bet she had exquisite taste too.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Tell that to the three of my nine lives you murdered when you—”

I slapped my hand over his mouth. “Can you not?”

He nipped at my fingers. “I remember the last time you put your hand over my mouth. Oh, wait, it was me putting my hand over your mouth because you were screaming loud enough to bring security.”

I stomped on his foot and peered around the corner for Kathy. “Are you trying to get me into trouble?”

He grinned and lifted my wrist to his lips. He flicked his tongue over my pulse point before letting my hand free as Kathy came out, whistling.

I fisted my hand and moved back to my work station.

“Oh, Mr. Kramer. What are you doing back?”

“Harassing my favorite florist.” He lifted his cup of coffee. “Just bringing her a pick-me-up.”

“Is this why you were late, Rylee?”

Because I’d slept through three alarms? Yeah, that probably wasn’t the answer I should give. “My brother-in-law just is being sweet.” I gave her a tight smile.

“She’s doing a great job. Oh, and my mother loved your basket, Kathy. Thanks again.” He sipped from his cup.

Slightly mollified, she gave him a bright smile. “Yes, well, I’m glad Melissa liked them. Did you have business with us? Another order, perhaps?”

I looked down and stabbed a bit of baby’s breath in the basket of base greens I’d put together. I’d been here barely two weeks and Kathy’s cheap ways were starting to grate already. Great.

“Maybe next time. They’re still fresh and gorgeous.”

“Thanks for the coffee, Gage.”