The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(65)

I pick up my mimosa with my good hand, downing it like a shot.

I think I’m going to have to be drunk to make it through the rest of the day.





I make it back home fairly early the next morning. It’s Sunday, the street quiet. I let myself into the house, expecting to find Thayer still asleep but he’s in the living room at his puzzle table, quietly putting together the Disney Princess puzzle Seda picked out for him. He promised to have it finished by the time she comes back since she’s excited to see it.

“Hey.” I wrap my arms around him from behind. “I missed you.” I kiss his cheek.

“Mmm,” he hums, “missed you too.” His voice is still gruff and deeper than normal from sleep. His hair is a mess too, so I doubt he’s been up long.

“I want some coffee. Have you had any yet?” I head out of the living room, toward the kitchen.

“Not yet,” I hear him mutter.

I set the coffee to brew and make myself a bowl of cereal.

Thayer comes into the kitchen, Winnie and Binx on his heels. “I told you I could get you from the airport.”

“I know, but it would’ve been silly to drag you out so early. The taxi was fine.”

“We need to go to a dealership today.”

“I know.” I frown, my stomach rolling at the idea of the car buying process, but what’s a girl to do? My car was declared totaled like I figured it would be, so it’s time for a new one. "I don’t even know what I want.”

“That’s what test drives are for. I’ve already researched some good options. I don’t know your budget, so I picked a few different ones in different price ranges.”

“Well, look at you,” I say in amusement, grabbing a coffee mug from the cabinet, “doing all your research like a proper boy scout.”

He eyes the cast on my arm. It’s now adorned with all of the girls’ signatures from the bridesmaid’s party. Lauren signed hers with, I licked it so it’s mine, above her name. I’d expect no less from her.

“I just want to keep you safe.”

“I know, and I appreciate that.” I pour coffee into my mug, then fill another for Thayer. “I wish you didn’t worry so much.”

He shrugs, fighting a smile. “Can’t help it.”

Sitting down at the table with my coffee and cereal, I say, “Show me these options.”





A few hours later I find myself at a Toyota dealership.

“What do you think of this one?” The salesman shows me a white 4-Runner. It’s beautiful, the paint a pearly finish with a beige interior.

I don’t say anything, though, not wanting to indicate I like the looks of it. Thayer launches into a series of questions for the man who struggles to keep up.

There’s something insanely hot about Thayer taking charge. He stands with his arms crossed over a gray t-shirt, a pair of athletic shorts hugging his toned backside.

I swear everything about this man turns me on.

Not that he complains.

Thayer has always made me feel safe to be myself with sex. I don’t feel the need to downplay my desire and I know I can talk to him about what I like and don’t like.

As a teenager I used to feel ashamed of my sexual urges, worried that it wasn’t normal because of my past. Little did I know that being a teenager means almost all of you are raging hornballs whether you act on it or not.

“Let’s take it for a drive.”

“All right, sir. Let me grab the keys for this one,” the young salesman replies, heading back to the dealership a short distance away.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s pretty,” I reply. “I don’t know much about cars to be able to comment on anything else.”

We’ve already been to three different dealerships, and I wasn’t crazy in love with anything, so right now I’m feeling pretty neutral about the whole thing which is probably for the best anyway. That way I won’t make any hasty decisions.

Thayer launches into different specifications about safety and handling, but finishes with, “This one is the Limited model, so it has an extra two seats.”

I arch a brow. “And this is important because?” I try not to smile while I wait for his answer. Yes, I’m baiting him. Sue me.

He pulls me against his chest, lowering his head to rub his nose against mine. “We have to have room for all our future kids. Winnie and Binx need space too. They’re important family members as well.”

“How dare I forget the dog and the cat.” I shake my head in mock shame and he clucks his tongue playfully.

“I’ve got the keys and the license plate.” The salesman returns, holding both up.

Thayer somehow manages to convince the salesman to stay behind while we take the SUV out for a spin. I roll the windows down, letting fresh air blow throughout. My hair whips around my shoulders and I can’t stop smiling.

“I like this one.”

Thayer laughs. “I had a feeling this might be the one.”

I miss my old car, but there’s no getting it back and I can’t afford that kind of luxury vehicle on my own.

We return to the lot, and I let Thayer handle making the deal.

It takes forever, but two hours later I’m the proud new owner of a car.