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“That’s part of it” When Skyler didn’t fill in the silence, Hope took a drink of the coffee she still needed “I don’t fit in his world”
“Why do you say that?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Why would it be? You do fit his profile What would happen if you stopped doubting yourself? Would a weekend away be so bad? I ht? About him About you Then you’d have more information” Skyler nodded, as if she’d reached a decision “Consider it a fact-findingwould be a good idea It will help you decide”
The front door opened “Delivery for Hope Malloy!”
“Again?”
“How much money is in petty cash?” Skyler asked “I can’t continue to fund your suitor’s flat-out romantic assault”
“Potential suitor,” Hope contradicted,She didn’t, however, correct the romantic-assault part
“Right” Skyler stood “Potential suitor” She headed for the door, then glanced back “Conference room for these?”
Since the previous day’s bouquet was still there, Hope said, “Let’s donate them to the doctor’s office next door”
Skyler nodded “Oh, and I’ll want all the details on Monday ”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“May I help you, sir?”
Exhaling his gratitude, Rafe turned toward the clerk Christ, he hoped so “I had no idea it would be so difficult” Rafe had pictured getting out of the car, strolling into Uptown Flower Power, selecting a nice arrange back out Instead, the s store overwhelmed him There were tulips and sunflowers and little purple blooms Tiered circular displays held potted plants Bamboo Cactuses Five-foot-tall trees
Mylar balloons floated everywhere Get well Happy birthday Congratulations Then there were the characters from movies and cartoons Superheroes and princesses
Perplexed, he wandered to one of the erators filled with cut flowers in all kinds of vases—large, soes, in pink, blue, even yellow There was a glass container shaped like heart The biggest refrigerator held roses Red, yellohite, pale pink, fro thirty red roses in a bowl big enough that it should have fish swi it All those thorns…
“Is this your first visit to a flower shop?”
Her liht that he had troubleout her features “Am I that obvious?”
The clerk grinned Instead of answering his question, she said, “Let’s start with the basics What’s the occasion?”