Two weeks later...

The flower shop is bustling with business. Moms with their lanky teenage sons are standing in line waiting to put an order in. Prom is the busiest time of the year and also the most annoying.

It usually plays out like this:

Mom: what color is *insert date's name's* dress?

Mom: *visibly angry* can you text her?

Then I say in my most pleasant tone, "white roses with baby's-breath look very nice and will match any color."

Then when the mother looks unsure I add, "I'll put you down for white but if you figure out the color of the dress let me know and I'll change it for you."

"That would be perfect," the mom says or some variation of that.

And the money keeps on coming.

"Does it hurt you to have to fake that so many times in an hour?" Ryder says from the other side of the counter. Since he's been out of work he's been helping out here.

"My face is burning from all the smiling and every time I speak. I want to throw up," I answer hoping we have a lull before the afternoon crowd shows up.

He walks towards me and kisses me over the counter. He winces slightly when the counter makes contact with his stomach. He is in a lot less pain than a few weeks ago.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yup. Should be good to go back to work in a couple weeks," he says with a smile on his face. He has been a bit lost without work the last few weeks and it's been an adjustment for both of us.

The bell rings and I groan hoping it's not another prom order. Instead Carley and Gabe come walking in. Carley looks like she might puke and surprisingly Gabe looks worse.

"Did you guys drink without us last night?" I ask pointing a finger at Carley.

"What? No! I would never," she says.

"Then why do you two look hung over as fuck?" Ryder asks just as a mother and son come walking up from behind them.

I fake gasp, "excuse me, Sir. That language is not welcome in my wholesome flower shop. Please remove yourself or I will call security." I have my arms crossed and the three of them look like they are holding in laughter.

The woman looks confused but is on a mission, "my son needs a corsage for his prom date."

"Mhm, color?" I ask. And the whole cycle starts over again.

The three of them head to the back room while I finish this order.

They're all sitting down waiting for me.

"What's up?" I ask a bit nervous. It looks like an intervention or something.

"I got the results back," Gabe starts. Carley looks down and picks at her nail polish while Gabe looks between us nervously.

"The baby's mine," he says.

"Is that good?" Ryder asks.

"I don't know yet," Gabe sighs, "I still have to figure everything out."

"Whatever you need, we're here for you," I say patting his hand from across the table, "except diapers. I am not doing that." I give Carley a look that says we'll talk more about this later.

Ryder smiles and wraps his arm around my shoulder. We hear the bell ring and I groan, "come on!"

"I'll take care of the next rush," Carley says. "Let's go, Gabe. This is what your future looks like."

Ryder and I laugh at Gabe's confused face. I'm sure he'll realize what she means the second he sees the awkward teenagers standing there.

"So," Ryder says.

"So," I repeat waiting for the conversation that I've been avoiding for a couple weeks.

"I think we should talk. Not that I don't love playing pretend with you," Ryder smirks and I shrink a bit under his gaze. I don't want to discuss anything. I want Ryder to work at the flower shop with me and Carley and not get hurt again.

Simple.

But I don't say that. Instead I sit quietly and wait for him to make the first move. He is the one that brought this conversation back up.

"Addy, have you thought about what we talked about the other night? I'm going back to work soon, I have an appointment with the firehouse doctor tomorrow." He is speaking quietly and I don't know if it's because we are in public or because he is unsure.

"I know," I say and wish I could just speak. But there is nothing I really want to say other than everything he doesn't want to hear.

He sighs and smiles, "honestly, I'm surprised we are even having this conversation. I didn't think you'd freak out about the accident."

I sit in silence for a bit longer letting his words settle in, "what do you mean?"

He looks a bit confused by my tone, "you don't really have feelings."

"What?" I ask again. Of course I have feelings, I just don't show them that often.

"Hey, hey," he says trying to calm me down, "I didn't mean anything by it."

I can't help thinking about Graham and every time he has said something similar. Am I really that closed off? I think I speak my mind pretty damn well but why does no one seem to understand. Is that why Carley thinks I'm judgmental? Fuck.

"I have feelings. A lot of feelings," I say.

"I know," he sighs and shakes his head. He is probably wondering how the hell he got into this conversation but it's all his fault, "I just meant you don't show them. I guess. Two weeks ago was the first time I have ever seen you get upset over something or tell me that you're hurt or scared. Usually you just cover it up with a joke, which I'm fine with."

"I," but I stop. I don't know what I'm supposed to say. I'm not good at sharing my feelings and I know that started after my mom died.

"I'm sorry," I try again.

"You don't have to be sorry, Addy."

I wipe a stray tear, "I think I stopped talking about anything going on inside of me because I didn't want to burden my dad more. After my mom died he was a disaster, he only recently picked himself up. I would try to talk to Graham but when he stopped being interested and then I had no one to talk to. I guess maybe that's why I stopped." I don't know why I'm being honest with him right now. This isn't something I usually share with anyone. Carley barely knows anything about my mom's death or my feelings about it.

"I want to know everything that's going on inside there," he taps my forehead playfully, "the crazy shit you come up with and when you're upset or angry. I want you to talk to me."

I nod and rest my head on his shoulder. I can't look at him or I'll start crying all over again. And I don't fucking cry. I guess unless Ryder's involved.

"So?" He asks again.

"You're stuck with me," I say, "just don't be a shithead and get hurt again. Okay?"

"Okay," he laughs.

"Ryder?" I ask.

"Hm?" he answers.

"Do you think you could love me?" I don't know where the question comes from other than I'm in this weird position of being sad and still a bit scared about losing him.

"Addy, really?" He shakes his head chuckling.

"Fine, whatever, don't answer." I say starting to head towards the door to check on the teenage drama that I'm sure is only feet away.

Ryder wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my neck, "I might already be in love with you, asshole. You have to give me a chance to talk."

"Whoops," I say turning around and kissing him on the lips, "wanna get out of here?" I open the door behind us and glance over my shoulder to see another long line of moms and sons forming. We aren't going anywhere.

I fucking hate prom.

😱

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