Sabrina

 

I’m so busy at The Flower Girl. We will chat soon, I promise.

 

It was like a scene in a movie—or maybe a soap opera. Were those shows still on? I was obsessed with General Hospital when I was in college, and I hadn’t watched an episode since then.

After I changed my mind about running away from Fuchsia Flowers, it was time to face off with Jackie, and now with Mrs. Watson!

Talk about a day taking a turn for the worse.

I knew Jackie wasn’t going to be happy to see me, but I certainly wasn’t prepared to see Mrs. Watson here. For all I knew, this wasn’t the first time she’d been here, either. Maybe she had been planning to take her business to Fuchsia Flowers all along?

The very thought made my blood boil.

“Ethan, let go of me,” Jackie said. Her voice was calm, with a threatening edge I knew was meant for me.

She was trying to be on her best behavior in front of Mrs. Watson.

Aubrey popped her head out of the office. “Jackie, is everything—” she paused as soon as she saw Ethan. “Oh. Heyyy . . . Ethan,” she said, batting her eyelashes at him as a blush crept into her cheeks.

Seriously?

“Can we just go into your office and talk for a few minutes?” Ethan asked Jackie, ignoring Aubrey and her flirting.

Jackie nodded her head, giving me another dirty look. She turned to Mrs. Watson. “Fiona, I will be right back. I just have to take care of a little family issue.”

Fiona? They were on a first-name basis? As far as I knew, Addi had never referred to Mrs. Watson as “Fiona.” Worry spread across my chest.

Ethan, Jackie, and Aubrey walked into the office, leaving Mrs. Watson and me alone. I knew I had to take this opportunity to find out what the hell was going on.

“Mrs. Watson, can I talk with you for a moment?” I asked.

She didn’t make eye contact with me.

When she didn’t respond, I tried again. “Look, I know you don’t care for me, and that’s fine. But how could you do this to Addi? You’ve been doing business with her for a very long time. Please don’t abandon her because of me. I’m heading back to San Francisco soon, anyway.”

She smoothed her hands down her skirt. She was still avoiding eye contact with me.

Finally, after a totally awkward, long moment, she said, “I don’t want to abandon Addison, but I have to consider all my options. I can’t let Faye Stanley destroy my reputation. Jackie is willing to help me stop her, and I have to do what I have to do. I’m just sorry it has to be at Addison’s expense.”

This again? Who was this Faye Stanley? I had to meet this woman before I left Orlando.

“What do you mean ‘at Addison’s expense’?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

Her expression softened a bit. This was major progress. I’d actually never seen her with anything other than a scowl on her face.

She finally looked me in the eye. “I wasn’t planning on letting it get very far, but I needed someone to stop Faye.”

I was so confused. Stop Faye doing what, exactly?

“So, why are you here?”

“It’s just a bit of competition. It wasn’t like Addison would have to close down. I was only planning to use Fuchsia Flowers for a few events, and in return, Jackie was going to help me by causing issues with the plans. Faye would finally get what she deserves when her precious event falls apart.”

Was this woman for real? I admit, I thought she was a little strange with the whole “computers are the devil” thing—I mean, really?—but now she was conspiring to ruin this other woman’s event?

And to make matters worse, Jackie was willing to do it with her!

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, the office door opened and Ethan and Jackie came out. I could tell by Ethan’s expression he was more at ease.

Jackie ignored me and made a beeline for Mrs. Watson. “Fiona, I’m so sorry to leave you waiting,” she gushed. “I promise this is not how I do business.

I wanted to laugh. But Jackie was willing to conspire to sabotage her customers’ events in order to beat out the competition.

“Naturally,” Mrs. Watson simpered. “Family matters come first. I’m afraid I have to get to another appointment, though. I will be in touch.” Mrs. Watson glanced at me and gave a little nod, and then she was gone.

I looked back at Ethan and Jackie. Ethan tightened his lips. “So, Jackie explained what’s been happening.” He turned to his sister-in-law. “Jackie, why don’t you tell her what you told me?”

Jackie knitted her eyebrows. “I heard what you were saying about us. Is that how you do business in San Francisco? Do you badmouth your competition in order to win new customers?”

What?! I glanced at Ethan, who was watching me intently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She snorted. “Of course you’re going to say that with Ethan here!”

“Is this in regard to Christina’s wedding?” I asked, the penny dropping.

She nodded, her arms crossed, glaring at me.

“Jackie, I did not badmouth your business. All I did was tell her and her mother that Fuchsia Flowers and Gifts was more of a gift shop and not specifically a florist, which it’s not.”

“How dare you! Yes, we do gifts, but we’re qualified florists as well. Why are you here anyway? Shouldn’t you be off on a honeymoon somewhere? Oh, wait! That’s right, I saw your escape video.”

I recoiled from her in shock. That was a low blow.

“Jackie!” Ethan growled.

I shot him a grateful look. “I’m no longer in that relationship. Not that it’s any of your business.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Ethan said you wanted to talk to me and clear the air. Go ahead.”

I glanced at Ethan, who looked completely confused by everything he’s learned since we arrived. I could’ve stood here and told him all about my conversation with Mrs. Watson and threatened to contact this mysterious Faye Stanley. Or I could do what I came here to do.

“I did. I mean, I do. The thing is, Blooms on Valencia is owned by my friend, Addison Bloom. I just ask that you don’t take out your dislike for me on her. There’s no reason both of you can’t do business in this city.”

She pursed her lips. “Fine.”

Although I knew she had agreed begrudgingly, at least she had agreed. “Thank you.”

“And what about you?”

I swallowed. “I’m . . . going home to San Francisco.”

Jackie glanced at Ethan, who looked surprised by my sudden announcement. “Good,” she said with a self-satisfied smirk.

There was nothing else to say.

Jackie and I had come to an agreement. And hopefully, I’d made Mrs. Watson feel guilty enough not to want to hurt Addi, either.

“Well, I guess that’s all.” Jackie raised her eyebrows at me, shooting me a look that made it clear she was happy to see me leaving town. “Goodbye, Sabrina.”

“Goodbye, Jackie,” I replied curtly, before making my way toward the door.

Ethan was right on my heels.

“Ethan?” Jackie called.

“Enough, Jackie,” he said with force. “I don’t have anything else to say to you. And I don’t owe you any kind of explanation. As I’ve said before, I will choose who I want to be with, and I want to be with Sabrina.”

Just then he took my hand in his and we left Fuchsia Flowers, together.

We were both quiet as we walked to the car. I felt awful about causing issues with Ethan and his family. One thing was for sure, Jackie and I had come to a truce. Of course, there was no way to be sure she wouldn’t try to cause more issues, but at least I had done everything I could.

“I’m so sorry you got dragged into this,” I said as soon as we sat in the car. “I would never want to cause you problems with your family. I know how that feels, believe me.”

He shook his head. “You don’t owe me an apology. I’m sorry for the way she’s been acting. She’s been stuck on this Aubrey thing for a long time. This isn’t the first relationship—” He stopped, mid-sentence.

Did he say “relationship”?

“I meant to say, it’s not the first time she’s tried to interfere with the woman I’m seeing. Throw in the fact that you’ve been running a competitor flower shop, it’s a recipe for disaster.”

“Well, luckily you won’t have to deal with this for much longer.”

An uncomfortable silence ensued. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

I took out my phone and sent a text to Addi.

Hey. Hope everything is going smoothly with the Thornhill wedding. We need to talk. Call me. I think it’s time for me to come home.

“So, you’re really going back?” he asked as I slipped my phone back into my purse.

I stared out the window at the palm trees, colorful billboards, and the clear blue sky. There was suddenly a huge lump in my throat at the thought of leaving this city.

I tried to swallow the lump, which seemed to be growing by the second.

“Yes. I think I have to.”

And I did, and not only before I caused any more issues here. I needed to get closure with everything I’d left behind so I could move on with my life.

I had been running away from things for too long.

“I understand,” he said softly.

Of course he understood. He was amazing. The thought of not being able to see him whenever I wanted made me feel awful, but I knew I had to go home. At the same time, I needed to be honest with him and tell him about my growing feelings for him.

We continued to ride down the highway in silence until Ethan spoke up. “What are you going to do about all the events you’re working on?”

I sighed. “Yeah, I need to talk to Addison about that. I know I can’t just up and leave Blooms floating in the wind. Christina’s bridal shower is in a few days, so obviously, I’ll get that done. And as far as her wedding, I still don’t have confirmation, despite what Jackie said.”

Ethan nodded as he stared straight ahead. I noticed him grip the steering a little tighter. There was still one thing to be discussed, and I knew he was thinking the same thing I was.

He cleared his throat. “Well, it sounds like it should be an easy transition. You two will just switch places again—right back into your old lives.”

No. That wasn’t going to happen.

We would switch places again, but I would not be going back into my old life. Even though Todd and I were over, I had my business, my friends, and my family.

And, most of all, I had to face my mother as the new, stronger version of myself I had become.

“I guess I have to get closure with my family.” I reached over and touched his arm. “But that’s it.”

I wanted to reassure him I was not going back to Todd. This had nothing to do with Todd, this was all about me.

“Ethan—”

“You don’t owe me an explanation,” he interrupted. “I know this doesn’t have to do with your ex.”

I gave him a grateful smile. “Exactly. Todd and I are over—we have been for a long time.”

We pulled up outside Addi’s townhouse. Ethan put the car in park and turned to face me. “Sabrina, I want to be honest with you. I don’t think that us meeting on the plane was a coincidence.” He reached over, took my hand, and entwined his fingers with mine. “We were meant to meet that day.”

I studied his face, memorizing the creases around his blue eyes and his warm smile. I knew I felt the same way, and I wished more than anything we could be together.

But I had to leave.

“I feel the same way. And I wish I could stay here with you, but I can’t.” I dragged my gaze away from his face. “And I don’t want to cause any more issues between you and your family.”

He reached over and touched my face, sending a jolt through my body. “I told you, I’m not worried about that.”

“And anyway, even if I did stay, you’re moving to Seattle.”

He pursed his lips. “Well, San Francisco is a closer commute to Seattle.”

My eyes got huge. “What . . . what are you saying?” My heart was hammering.

He inched closer to me, and I breathed in his scent. I would definitely miss that scent.

“I’m saying that I just found you, and I’m not ready to let you go.”

I swear my heart skipped a beat. This felt so right—but I was utterly terrified.

“You’d move to San Francisco, to be . . . with me?” I breathed, barely believing what he was saying.

He nodded as a fresh smile crept across his face.

“I can’t ask you to completely disrupt your life for me.”

He touched his finger to my lips. “You’re not asking me to do anything.”

I rubbed my forehead. “I know, but I already feel like I’ve been the cause of so much drama in your life.”

He took my face in his hands and looked into my eyes. “Please listen to me. I want to give this a chance, and if that means I commute to Seattle from San Francisco, then that’s what I will do.”

Tears welled in my eyes. I was so afraid of making another mistake. The last thing I wanted to do was rush into anything. But I knew I cared about Ethan—there was something about him, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Maybe he was right? Maybe our meeting on that plane was fate, just as I had thought meeting Addi had been.

I pressed my lips together, my heart expanding. “Okay. Just promise me you’ll give me some time to sort out my messy life.”

He reached up and kissed my forehead. “I promise.”

* * *

After Ethan dropped me off, I began to think about my next move. I tried to call Addi two more times but wasn’t able to reach her. I called The Flower Girl and finally got Leonardo on the phone.

“There’s my favorite YouTube star,” he said, giggling.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, Leonardo would mention that. “Please don’t remind me.”

“Oh, come on, babe. Do you know how many people would love to be in your shoes? You’re famous!”

“Better them than me.”

“Oh whatever. Hey, I have a bone to pick with you. Why haven’t you called me since you’ve been away?”

I knew this was coming. I admit, I had been avoiding him, too, but for different reasons than ignoring my family. Leonardo had a big mouth, and although he was a great worker, I didn’t completely trust him. It had been much easier to just avoid him.

“I know. Please understand, I wanted some time to sort out my complicated life. It was just easier to keep my distance. Anyway, that’s why I’m calling, to let you guys know I’m coming home. I’ve been trying to reach Addi, but I haven’t been able to get ahold of her.”

He didn’t respond.

“Leonardo?”

“What? Oh, yeah, she’s just been slammed with the Thornhill wedding. I’ll tell her you’re trying to reach her. And speaking of that . . . um, I probably should get back to work.”

“Oh, well, okay,” I replied uncertainly. “Please tell her to call me. It’s important.”

“Sure thing, babe. See ya later.”

And just like that, he was gone.

I held the phone in my hand while I replayed our brief conversation. Something was up with him, but I wasn’t sure what it was.

I really needed to talk to Addi.

* * *

 

When I arrived at Blooms, I was surprised to find Christina there, sitting with Isabella. I immediately noticed her tear-stained face, and I was pretty sure I knew what had happened.

“Hi, Christina. Is everything okay?” I asked.

She shook her head. I glanced at Isabella, who raised her eyebrows meaningfully at me.

“I’m not getting married,” Christina said, right before blowing her nose into a big wad of toilet paper. “I’m sorry. I know how hard you have been working on the arrangements for my shower. And we were going to use Blooms on Valencia for our wedding flowers. But then . . .” She covered her face with her hands.

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

“I’ve been having doubts for a while. And then there was an issue with another girl he dated.” She paused, sniffling. “Anyway, calling off the wedding was the right thing to do.”

I watched how distraught this girl was, and I knew exactly how she was feeling. At the same time, I had to tell her she had made the right decision. If she was having doubts, she would be a fool to go through with the wedding.

I crouched down next to her and put my hand on her arm. “You did the right thing, Christina. Trust me when I say I know exactly how you feel.”

She blew her nose loudly. “Thank you. I’m just so sorry about all of this. You ladies have been so great to work with. I’m going to tell everyone I know about this florist shop.”

I gave her a grateful smile. At least I’d done one thing right when it came to Addi’s business, even if the shower order was now canceled.

Christina left after giving both Isabella and I several hugs. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her having to face her family and friends, and I wished her all the luck in the world.

“Well, there goes that event,” Isabella said glumly. “We should go do something fun this weekend, especially now that we won’t be scrambling to finish last-minute arrangements.”

I chewed on my lower lip. I needed to break the news to her.

“Isabella, about that. I have to tell you something.”

She gave me a curious look. “Okay.”

“I’m going back to San Francisco. Soon,” I said without preamble. “I just need to get ahold of Addi and let her know. Depending on when she can get a flight out, you may have to look after things for her until she’s ready to return, whenever that is. Don’t worry, you got this.”

Isabella looked like she was about to cry. I really hoped she wouldn’t because then I would start. She had turned out to be a really great friend, and I was going to miss her terribly.

“No, you can’t just leave,” she pleaded. “What about Mrs. Watson?”

Ugh. Mrs. Watson. I still had to tell her about our unexpected meeting this morning at Fuchsia Flowers.

“I will make sure I do her weekly order before I leave, and I’m sure Addi will be back before next week’s order. And now that Christina’s shower has been canceled and there’s no wedding, it’s probably a good time for us to switch back before any other big events pop up.”

“Okay, but how do you know Addi is ready to come back?”

I paused. Maybe Isabella was right? I knew Addi was loving San Francisco, so maybe she didn’t want to come back to Orlando. She’d told me she came here for love and that Jon had broken her heart. I wouldn’t blame her one bit for not wanting to return.

“I guess I don’t yet.”

Whatever it was that Addi decided to do, I knew one thing for sure: I needed to be back in San Francisco.

The lump in my throat from earlier in the day returned. I glanced around Blooms, where I had spent the last few weeks. A part of my heart was breaking to leave here.

But I knew I must.

“Will you be back?” she asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, tears threatening my eyes. “Hopefully, someday.”

The truth of the matter was I didn’t know where I was going to end up. But I knew where I needed to be right now.

And that was home, facing up to what I had done so I could move on with the rest of my life.