Page 27 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)
T oday I’m down at the florist. I know January has already ordered flowers for the wedding, but I want to get the color scheme so I can match the flowers for her bridal shower as well.
She’s purposely being secretive about the colors just to annoy Meadow, but I know all I have to do is ask a couple questions in this town and I can find out all the info I need.
I check out all the flowers in the fridge, making notes and speaking with the owner. “Her colors are all pastel, so I’d like to keep the same theme for the shower. Subdued but maybe with a hint of a darker flower in the middle just to make them pop.”
The woman’s eyes light up. “I have an idea. Give me five minutes, I’m going to put something together for you.”
She runs off to the back, and I continue smelling the beautiful flowers. My thoughts wander to Bennett again, and I see a glimpse of us being here, picking out our own centerpieces. I’m so lost in the fantasy that I walk right into a woman who has entered the store.
“Oh, I’m sorr—Savannah. Hi.” I stop short, not wanting to be nice but completely caught off guard as my stomach rolls with nausea. I should have known I’d be seeing her around town. I need to better prepare myself for days like this.
She raises a brow. “Oh hi, Blossom.” She sneers. I try to walk around her, but she blocks me as she adds, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
I close my eyes and take a breath, trying to steady myself. “It is. And with only a few short weeks until my sister's bridal shower, I'm trying to get everything done.” I push by her. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Oh, I just love weddings.” She smiles, following me down the aisle, her happiness completely fake.
“I’ve been planning mine since I was a little girl.
I always envisioned a large wedding, all my family and friends watching me marry the man of my dreams. He’s tall, dark, and can cook like you can’t imagine, and I’m there in my dress, which shows off my thin figure with just the right lingerie underneath.
Sort of what I saw in your store the other day–”
“Why are you here?” I cut her off, not able to listen to her for one more minute.
“Excuse me?”
“ Why are you here? In Bluemoon? This small town doesn’t exactly scream luxurious, which I’m sure is what you’re used to in Seattle.”
With a smug grin she says, “Bluemoon is growing on me. Bennie always said growing up here was great. It made me think maybe there was a place here for me too."
Her words land with a thud. I feel my fingers twitching with the urge to grab the nearest vase and hit her in the head with it. Instead, I steady my breath, reminding myself I don’t look good in orange.
"He didn’t ask you to come here. "
She smiles wider, like she’s already won. "No, he didn’t. But he didn’t tell me to leave either."
I glance toward the back, hoping the store owner will come back and save me from this woman who loves to throw daggers.
She smirks. “I want Bennie to be happy. So I figured I’d stay and make him happier.”
“You’re not even together. I don’t know what you think you’re going to get by moving here.”
She turns to face me fully. "You really think you’re the reason he came back? That he’d give everything up for a small-town girl with a boutique?"
I try to ignore the way she’s degrading me. "He came back for himself. And for the life he actually wants, not the elaborate one you tried to make for him. He told me he doesn’t even want to go to France."
“He told you that, huh?” She laughs but it lacks humor.
"Listen, Bennie and I go way back. And I don't mean the elementary school way back. I mean since he became a man and decided things on his own. I know him better than anyone.” She stands over me, looking down on me. “You're denying him greatness, Blossom. He could be a top chef anywhere. I’ve encouraged him to tour the world. I told him I would go with him and support him in any way he needs. But you can’t do that, can you? You’re still stuck being sixteen, living a teenage dream. You're suffocating him.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I push them back, refusing to let her see me cry. “Bennett came back here on his own. I didn’t ask him to.”
“No, but you won’t let him go either. You’re always there with a text or call, not letting him move on. You’re suffocating him, Blossom.”
“Blossom, what do you think about this?” The owner comes around the corner with a gorgeous centerpiece, pastel pinks with a bright tiger lily right in the middle.
“Oh, that’s beautiful! If I was getting married, that’s what I would choose.” Savannah smiles her large fake smile and moves to the front of the store.
Her words linger, and I suddenly hate the centerpiece and everything in this store.