“Let’s take 101 south, check out the redwoods, drive into the Humboldt County mountains and maybe break bread with some illegal pot growers. We can have a picnic in the redwoods. We might have to have it in the car—it’s going to be kind of cold but sunny. Except back in the trees, it’s dark and cold.”

“How do you know it’s going to be chilly and sunny?”

“My phone says it’s going to be sunny with a high of forty-five degrees.”

“What did we do before smartphones?”

“Listened to the farm report. So, what do you say, flower girl? Date?”

In all the places she’d been, from China to Charlotte, North Carolina, she’d never been to the redwoods. “I think that could be fun. We should pack extra clothes this time in case you have to show off again.”

“Yeah, I’ll take that under advisement. So, that’s Sunday. I’ll be at Cooper’s tonight. It’s Friday night. A clear and cold Friday night so there will be people. There might be teenagers on the beach with their fires and shenanigans. If you’re not tied up with the knight or the vampire or some loser Navy SEAL you could always come out.”

“I could, but I should think about it. Ever since I’ve had a fun coach some of my boyfriends have felt neglected.”

“I’ll be here till nine or ten, depending on people. I’ll follow you home to make sure you get in safely. Because I’m such a gentleman.”

“I’m sure you would. Let me see what I have to do.”

“You do that, Gracie.”

No one had ever called her Gracie or flower girl. She loved it.

She went to Cooper’s at almost eight, climbed up on a stool, her cheeks rosy and her fingers like icicles. It was a perfect night on the beach and there were three different fires surrounded by people, mostly young people.

“Hi,” Troy said, smiling. He grabbed her hand. “Whew. Cold.”

“I walked over,” she said. “I might need a ride home.”

He smiled wider. “Gotcha covered,” he said, a twinkle in his eye.

* * *

Troy found lots of things he could do with Grace. She had never dated like this before. They drove down the coast to the redwoods, another day they went up the coast to Ecola Beach. They drove over to Eugene, and they drove up into the snowy Oregon mountains on a clear day. They went out to dinner twice and saw two movies. She went with him to a couple of high school basketball games and she closed the shop early one Saturday so they could drive to the university for a Ducks hockey game and they watched the Super Bowl together—just the two of them. They always ended the dates with more of that wonderful kissing. And with Troy always dangling the suggestion of an overnight. Grace kept pushing that idea back for now. But they made out every night. Every. Night. She really couldn’t get enough.

She found herself watching one of her favorite comfort chick flicks a lot—The Holiday. It was sweet, warm and fuzzy and she thought Troy looked very like Jude Law, except for the dimple. Grace was falling in love.

Because Grace and Troy had been seen around with Iris so often, not much was made of the fact that Iris was now missing—she was a newlywed, after all. In fact, Troy and Grace ran into Iris and Seth at a high school basketball game and they seemed completely unsurprised to see Troy and Grace together.

Then Iris popped into the shop one day after school. She’d been doing that quite regularly since Grace bought the shop. Iris liked to make her own flower arrangements and Grace gave them to her cheap. But, since she’d been married, the visits had become rare. Grace already had the workroom cleaned up. “I haven’t seen you in a while,” Iris said. “Are you anxious to close?”

“I’m in no great hurry, but no one will be by now. People who want flowers after five call ahead—they know I’ll stay open for them to pick up if I can. This married business—I don’t see that much of you anymore!”

“Because now I go home and cook! If I don’t, Seth’s mom will try to feed us every night and we can’t have that. And I run errands and do laundry and get caught up on my homework before Seth comes home.”

“You cook? Oh, God, has he filed for an annulment yet?”

“Very funny. I’m getting better, but sometimes he cooks. Have any flowers you can spare? I could use something cheery in the house—this weather can be a downer.”

“Oh, I know exactly how to perk you up,” she said, going into the cooler. She brought out a bottle of nice sauvignon blanc and two icy glasses she kept in there for just such an occasion. “Ta-da! You can pick your flowers while I get the corkscrew out of my desk.”

“You are a good person, Grace,” Iris said, approving of the wine and going into the cooler. Grace had the wine poured by the time Iris returned with a selection of flowers. Iris knew exactly where to get clippers, tape and a vase. She chose a very attractive oval vase to hold the bouquet. “I’ll return it, of course,” Iris said.

Grace passed her a glass of wine and lifted her own. “To your new status, Mrs. Sileski.”

“Thank you, Grace,” she said. “And should we toast a new relationship for you? You seem to be spending a lot of time with Troy.”

“You left him lonely,” Grace said with laughter in her voice.

“Oh, please don’t tell me he’s complaining that I’m off the market! I thought we had that all taken care of!”

“He’s not complaining, Iris,” Grace said, taking a sip of her wine. “But we’re just friends.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Oh, yes. I asked, as a matter of fact. He said he needs someone to play with. And so do I, since you decided to get married!”

“There’s no question about it—Troy is fun.”

“The fun coach,” Grace said with a laugh, then she told Iris about the giant wave until both of them were laughing hysterically. Grace told Iris about some of their fun dates, but she didn’t mention the more personal things, like all that wonderful kissing.

After a glass of wine and a very beautiful bouquet were both done, Iris said it was time to get home.

“I bet Troy’s not just looking for fun,” Iris said.

“Oh, I bet he is,” Grace replied. “But so am I.”

Grace locked the front door behind Iris, lost in thought. Why can’t I let myself lean on Iris, give her the whole story? She might know how I should guard my heart because I’m starting to fall in love and Troy isn’t looking for love. Especially from me.