The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(16)

I say it calmly, but there are tears in my eyes. “You had no right to decide that on your own.”

“I know.” He sounds choked up, his eyes watery as well.

“You broke my heart.”

His eyes close. “I know.”

“You made me hate you.”

His Adam’s apple bobs. Again, those two words. “I know.”

We eat our meal in silence after that.





CHAPTER 12





THAYER





“You’re not paying,” she argues when I pull out my wallet at the end of the meal.

“Yes, I am.” I keep my tone calm and even.

“I can pay for my own,” she grumbles, reaching for her purse.

I try to hide my smile. “I never said you couldn’t.”

I hand enough cash to cover the meal and tip the waitress when she passes by. Salem blinks at me open-mouthed.

“Thayer,” she groans my name, her nose wrinkling with irritation.

I don’t know what it says about me that blood rushes straight to my dick at her tone. Even her annoyance is sexy.

“It’s too late now.” I shrug easily, sliding the chair back.

“You can pay me back in some other way.”

Her cheeks flush red. “I’m not sleeping with you.”

Arching a brow, I look down at her where she still sits. “Did I say anything about sex?”

She grows redder. “Well, no. But—” She sputters, trying to dig herself out of this hole.

I jerk my head toward the exit. “Let me walk you to your car.”

Her tongue rolls around her mouth and I expect her to protest, but she surprises me by replying with a simple, “Okay.”

She gets up from the table and my hand goes to her waist. It’s automatic—like my body can’t help but touch hers. She eyes my arm with narrowed, uncertain eyes. She’s guarding her heart from me, I feel it, and I can’t say I blame her.

Letting my hand drop, I hold open the door for her and follow her out onto the street. The sun has gone down, stars shining brightly in the night sky. It’s one of my favorite things about living in such a small town. You always see the stars.

“My car’s down this way in front of my mom’s store.”

I walk beside her, my hands in my pockets so I don’t touch her. Being around her again makes it all too easy to fall into who I was with her before.

“Thank you,” she says after a minute, “for buying dinner.”

I can’t hide my amusement and she rolls her eyes playfully at my grin. “You’re welcome.”

I spot her car and disappointment floods me that our evening is over. When I saw her in the restaurant I couldn’t help but approach her table. I can’t resist her. Even after all this time.

She looks up at me briefly, a soft flush coloring her cheeks. I wish I knew what she was thinking, but I don’t ask. I don’t have the right to know, not anymore.

Stopping by her car, I wait for her to say something. She’s quiet, but she doesn’t make a move to get in the car either.

Blowing out a breath, she unlocks her car. I expect her to get inside and not say another word to me, but she surprises me.

“Seeing you again … it’s different than I expected.”

“A good or bad different?” I wet my lips nervously, waiting for her response.

She shrugs, opening the door. “I’m still figuring that out.”

I stay on the sidewalk, watching as she starts up her SUV. She waves before she drives away.

My truck is in the direction we came from so I head back that way.

Driving around for while, letting my thoughts wander—mostly to Salem because I’m a sad fucker when it comes to that woman—I pull into my driveway an hour later.

Shutting my truck off, I don’t go right inside my house. Opening the fence gate, I head out back to my greenhouse. Easing the door open, I step into the place that has been my safe harbor and my greatest torment.

The entire interior of the greenhouse is filled with intricately petaled, pale pink peonies.

Originally, I meant to use my personal greenhouse to grow a variety of plants.

But after that year when Laith moved out, and the reality of my actions began to set in when I learned Salem was getting married, I started growing them and I just couldn’t stop.

They became my last connection to her.

I’ve treasured growing them, nurturing them.

Grabbing the small shears, I start cutting.

It’s the first time I’ve ever cut any of them—except for spent blooms that needed to be removed—and lay the stems out on the table.

I swore I would never cut any.

Not unless they were for her.

I honestly didn’t think this day would come, so I smile to myself as I put together the bundle of flowers.





CHAPTER 13





SALEM





“What are you doing?” My mom asks from the doorway of the kitchen, her voice groggy and her eyes still half asleep.

“Mom,” I admonish for the millionth time, “you’re supposed to let me help you.”

I scurry around the island to help her into one of the kitchen chairs. I understand her need for independence but dammit if it isn’t going to be the death of me.