CORA: Thanks for the flowers. Xo
Say what now?
Flowers?
Why was he sending her flowers?
Why was he sending her flowers when he’d just told me he was falling in love with me?
More importantly, why was he sending her flowers when he was trying to get my cat to like him? I wouldn’t stand for him breaking Genevieve’s heart.
Or whatever she had in there that kept her alive. General disdain and more judgments than a courtroom, perhaps.
There was a rattle as Colton returned the cart to the drop off point.
Talk.
We were going to talk.
I was going to be a very mature person here and not throw the phone at his head.
“Ready to go?” he asked getting into the truck.
“Cora said thank you for the flowers.”
He blinked at me. “Was she here?”
“No. She texted and said thank you.”
He dragged his tongue over his lower lip as he fought a smile. “Are you already reading my texts, Victoria? Damn it.”
“I turned your phone over to see the time and it came through. Check if you don’t believe me.” I dropped it into his lap.
“I believe you.” He put the phone in the center console without even bothering to look. “Was that it?”
“The text message?”
“No, the freak out you desperately want to have.” He met my eyes. “I can see it brewing.”
“There’s nothing brewing.”
“Yes, there is.”
“I’m just wondering why you’re sending her flowers after everything you’ve said today, that’s all. It’s not a freak out. Just a mild curiosity. An interest.”
He laughed.
He fucking laughed.
“Why are you laughing?”
Colton reached over and cupped the side of my face. “Never realized how funny it is when you’re just so mad you’re trying not to lose it.”
“I’m glad I’m amusing to you.”
“I sent Cora flowers as an apology. I was rude to her on Friday, and she didn’t deserve that. I also shouldn’t have met her either time when I felt this way for you, so the least I could do was apologize to her properly.”
Oh.
“Oh.”
“You feel like an idiot now, don’t you?”
I pinched my fingers together. “Little bit.”
“Little bit.” He grinned and leaned over, pulling me toward him. His lips found mine, and he kissed me firmly until I was blushing.
“Someone will see us.”
“I don’t care.” He started the truck. “It’s not like nobody knows. It’ll be halfway around town that we were grocery shopping together and everyone will have their own opinion.”
“If your sister finds out from one of the old people, she’s never going to let you hear the end of it.”
“Shit, you’re right.” He took his hand off the gear stick and grabbed his phone. “I’ll text her.”
I rolled my eyes.
She was not going to be happy.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN – TORI
rule thirteen: there isn’t one. it’s unlucky af.
“I can’t believe I found out through Margaret! In the Post Office!” Kinsley paced up and down the store. “Why would neither of you tell me straight away?”
“We were busy,” I said vaguely.
Saylor grinned.
“We went to buy groceries!”
“Aw, look,” Holley cooed. “You’re already like an old married couple.”
“They’ve been bickering like one for years.” Saylor picked up her nail file and got to work on her thumb.
Amen to that.
“He did text you,” I said to Kinsley. “Honestly, I’m shocked it even moved that fast. We literally did one shop and he kissed me in the truck, so the grapevine is moving and grooving this week.”
“I know he texted me, but I already knew. Mrs. Cooper who owns the beauty salon saw him taking you from the poultry farm in the direction of his house, then Candace Carmichael saw you both leaving his house and going to your apartment, then Mr. Fothergill saw you leaving your apartment where Margaret saw you at the grocery store.”
We all blinked at her.
“You really need to get out more,” Saylor said flatly.
“I need people to stop hiding things from me!” Kinsley shouted. “Why is that too much to ask?”
“Whoa, whoa.” Holley walked out from the back of the counter and held up her hands. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I just want people to be honest,” she said in a much lower voice. “That’s all, okay?”
It was a quiet tone, but one that said there was no room for an argument.
The bell over the door rang, distracting us from the conversation.
“Oof!”
I grabbed the door for Ivy so she didn’t have to bump her way through with the stroller.
“Thanks.” She backed into the store, and I dipped my head to see if Tegan was awake.
She was, and she giggled when she saw me, kicking her chunky little legs and flapping her arms.
“Hiya!” I dropped to my knees in front of the stroller. “Hiya!”
She giggled again.
“She’s not going to throw up on me, is she?” I looked up at Ivy.
“Fifty-fifty chance,” she replied. “Everyone okay?”
“Tori is now she doesn’t have to hide her fuck buddy anymore,” Saylor said, still focused on her nails.