The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(31)

“Shut the fuck up,” I growl at my younger brother. “It’s a beautiful name.”

“Sorry, my bad—need I remind you it’s four in the fucking morning.”

“Right, right. You’re not a morning person. My bad.”

“When do you get to meet her?”

I sigh, nerves rattling my stomach. “I don’t know. Soon, I hope.”

“You know, despite this early hour I’ve learned something valuable from this conversation.”

“What?” I ask hesitantly. I never know what’s going to come out of my brother’s mouth.

“Always wear a condom before I go to pound town.”

With that final statement he ends the call, presumably to go back to sleep, and I get ready for work.





CHAPTER 22





SALEM





I’m a jittery mess all day counting down in anticipation to my date with Thayer.

A date.

A real date.

I act like I’ve never been on a date at all with the way my palms keep sweating.

“Would you stop pacing?” My mom scolds with an amused smile. “You already spilled water on me earlier and now you’re going to wear a hole in the carpet with all that walking back and forth.” She mimes walking with her fingers. I open my mouth to reply but she silences me again, adding, “And don’t you dare try to use me as an excuse not to go again. I’m living vicariously through you right now.”

I’ve already tried three different times to back out. Not because I don’t want to go, I definitely do, but the guilt eats me up over leaving my mom even though a nurse is stopping by for her weekly checks and Georgia will be here with her—apparently Georgia likes to supervise these visits.

“What if you need me?” I argue, still pacing.

She huffs, adjusting the blankets on her lap. A rom-com plays softly in the background, but she’s been paying more attention to me than it. “Your sister is going to be here with me, and believe me, she’s a hoverer. Besides, I do know how to work a phone to call or text. You worry so much about everyone else. Go out, Salem. Enjoy yourself. Have a nice time with a nice man.”

I cease my pacing, planting my hands on my hips. “You make it sound so much easier than it is.”

She laughs, but it quickly turns into a cough. I move forward like I can help her and she’s quick to wave me off. Once she’s recovered, she says, “That’s the thing it is easy—it’s overthinking and making your brain run through every possible scenario that complicates things.”

She’s totally right. Smoothing my hands down the blue and white floral dress I put on, I take a deep breath and do my best to silence my scattered thoughts. “Do I look okay?”

She crooks a finger, beckoning me forward. I bend down closer to her, and she grabs a piece of my hair, tucking it back behind my ear. The short pieces keep slipping free of the low bun I twisted it in.

Touching her hand gently to my cheek, her skin cool against mine, she says, “You look beautiful, Salem. You always do.”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

She snorts. “Stop trying to flatter me.”

“It’s not flattery.” I kiss her cheek. “You’re the most beautiful person I know, inside and out.”

When I straighten, there are tears shining in her eyes she tries to hide.

The side door in the kitchen creaks open and Georgia calls out a hello. I hear the thump of her purse hitting the floor, or maybe it’s the kitchen table. She waddles into the room, glowing and all smiles.

“Hey, Mom.” She bends down as much as she can, wrapping her arms around mom’s neck. “Little sis.” She hugs me next. “How’s the day been?”

“Good,” I tell her, meaning it. Mom’s been more alert and not in as much pain. It’s all we can ask for, especially when I know it’s so short lived.

“Feeling okay?” She reaches for our mom’s wrist, and I know she plans to check her pulse, but mom quickly tucks her arm against her chest.

“Georgia, that’s what the nurse is for. Why don’t you take a seat?”

Georgia pouts her lips but does as she’s asked. “Do you want anything to drink or a snack or something?” I ask, wanting to busy myself with something.

“I can get it myself—” She starts to stand, but I wave her back down.

“You’re pregnant, working, and chasing after two kids already. Sit while you can.”

She laughs, shaking her head but she can’t help but smile. She loves those boys with her whole heart. She’s truly a good mom. “Fine, grab me a water then and some crackers.”

In the kitchen, I give myself a chance to take a few deeps breaths to calm my racing heart. Despite the fact that I know Thayer so well, and my confession is out in the open, my nerves are at an all-time high. This feels so different. Official in a way we never were before. It’s out in the world, knowledge for everyone, that we’re going on a date. Not some sneaky secret.

I fix Georgia a glass of water and grab a pack of crackers from the tiny pantry. She takes both from me with a smile.

“How excited are you for your date?”

“She’s worn a path in the rug if that tells you anything,” my mom interjects before I can say anything.