“The teenager?” Julia leaned against the counter. “So now you’re best buddies?”
“Not exactly.” She couldn’t fathom Izzy at all. She’d spent all of the day before trying to make her life easier. She’d thought Izzy would appreciate having more time to herself, but it hadn’t turned out that way. When Molly had chosen painting over baking, Izzy had been hurt and Flora had been unsure how to handle it.
“I can’t believe you’ve moved in with him, when only last week you thought you were breaking up.”
“I haven’t ‘moved in’ exactly. And I have my own bedroom.”
Julia grinned. “Shame about that.”
“I wouldn’t want to upset little Molly. She’s adorable, Ju. I love her so much.” She thought about the uncomfortable moment with the coat. “And she’s so brave. You know she’s upset, but then she sticks her chin out and gets on with it. And she is so good at art. She doesn’t think she is, but the way she focuses and checks the perspective—”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. You love Molly. But what about Jack? Are you in love with him?”
Flora thought about the moment they’d shared in the garden. Not the chemistry, although that was exciting, but the connection. He was interested in her. He cared about her. He understood her. It was a little terrifying. “It hasn’t been that long.”
“Long enough for you to fall in love with his daughter. And now you’re living with him.”
“I’m not living with him in the sense you mean. I’m living with him because of life, that thing that gets in the way of everyo
ne’s best plans. My apartment is mostly underwater thanks to the leak, and I have nowhere else to go. He has a massive brownstone with five bedrooms. It seemed crazy to say no. Can I help you?” She smiled at two teenagers who were hovering by the flowers. Having talked to them and ascertained that they wanted something special for their mother’s birthday, she sent them away with large bunches of cheerful blue cornflowers. “Where were we?”
“You were telling me the guy basically owns a castle. Just remember the castle comes with a dragon.”
“If you’re talking about Izzy, she isn’t a dragon. She’s a wounded, grieving girl.” And hard to reach. Impossible to reach.
“Last week you were convinced she didn’t like you.”
“I don’t think it’s personal. I’m not sure she’d like anyone who tried to muscle in on the family. And I think I was probably being oversensitive. She invited me running.”
Julia made a sympathetic sound. “I hate to be the one to break this to you, but she was trying to kill you. Still, at least now I understand why you’re walking around like a robot with joint issues. Admit it—you can hardly move.”
Flora shrugged. “I admit it. Hugging, or anything that involves moving my limbs, is off-limits for a few days.”
Julia gave a wicked grin. “Let’s hope that today isn’t the day Jack decides to have athletic sex with you.”
Flora rubbed her thighs. “It’s not funny. I was trying to do some of the things her mother used to do.”
She forced herself to stop thinking about her aching limbs and made up a bouquet for one of her regular customers.
“The roses will last a week, Mrs. Mason, if you care for them properly.” She handed them over. “Trim the ends, then pop them into a vase with flower food and about a liter of water.”
“You’ve made them look so pretty, Flora. I’m going to put them right in water the way they are. They never need arranging when you’ve done them.”
Julia nudged her. “You’ve got company.”
Flora glanced up as Jack pushed open the door and strolled into the store. A few heads turned. Mrs. Mason’s eyes widened.
“Well now isn’t he a hottie?”
“Mrs. Mason!” Julia gave a shocked and delighted laugh.
“What? My grandchildren like to expand my vocabulary. And even without their help, I know an attractive man when I see one, and he is very handsome. Is he yours, Flora?”
“Oh! I—not exactly—I mean—”
“He’s hers.” Julia leaned forward, sharing a woman-to-woman moment with one of their favorite customers. “What do you think?”
They were both staring at Jack and Flora wondered whether it was too late to escape through the back window.