Page 48 of The Roommate Problem
Chapter Fourteen
“August, dear, could you grab the centerpiece for the bridal table from the van, please?”
August set down the box of vases holding the bridesmaids’ bouquets on a nearby table in the event hall and nodded to his grandmother. “Sure thing, Gran.”
He was helping his grandmother deliver a flower order to a wedding today. Normally, she had her part-time worker handle deliveries, but Chris had twisted his ankle in a mountain biking accident and couldn’t drive for the next few weeks, so the guy was back tending to the shop while August helped out with the deliveries. He didn’t mind. In fact, he liked doing this a whole lot better than sitting in the shop waiting for someone to buy something.
Service with a smile wasn’t really in August’s wheelhouse. He much preferred the business side: filling orders, handling accounts, and of course, the growing of the flowers themselves. Something he sorely missed since leaving the last flower farm he’d worked at to come to Denver and help his grandmother.
He looked around the large event hall filled with people running about putting cream-colored silk cloths over tables and tying ribbons on chairs. Most of them were event hall staff, identified by their crisp black pants and pressed white button-up shirts. He did spot a few women dressed in sweats with curlers in their hair all talking at once arguing about how the candles were supposed to be set up or something. Bridesmaids, he assumed.
He never understood why people made such a big deal over one day. They’d spend tons of money, going into debt sometimes, make this big fuss about minor details no one ever really cared about, and then half the time the marriage didn’t even last anyway. Call him a pessimist, but he just didn’t see the point. But since he knew his future business would rely heavily on large flower orders—like the one made for a wedding—he kept his mouth shut and his opinions to himself.
The van was parked in back of the building right outside the kitchen door, so August walked through the busy kitchen, moving swiftly and carefully so as not to get in the way of the staff busily prepping the wedding feast. He had no idea what the couple had picked for their meals, but something sure as hell smelled good. He should have had more than a protein shake this morning. Normally, that was all he needed, but the last few nights had drained him.
In the best of ways.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips every time he remembered the feel of Mo. Her smell, the cute little noises she made when he touched her in a way meant to drive her wild. And it had been wild. Every time. Surprising not only because the woman was dynamite in bed, but also because he’d thought once would be enough to purge her from his system.
Not even close.
He’d have to keep an eye on that.
Having fun was one thing, but August didn’t do serious. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in it, but he saw how much it could destroy a person when it ended. Who it could affect. Better to keep things light and short-term.
Good thing Mo seemed to agree with him.
Once he made it outside to the van, he pressed the key fob, unlocking the vehicle and opening the large back doors. The centerpieces were all still sitting in their locked crates, solidly secured so as not to shift or break during transport. Once all the tablecloths had been set, he’d bring the rest in and place them, but for now he unhooked the box holding the large, elaborate bridal centerpiece and hefted it up in his arms.
Damn thing was heavy. Who knew a bunch of orange and white roses could weigh so much? There was also the massive glass vase, which probably accounted for most of the weight. He was glad he could be here to help Gran with things like this, but it just reinforced his thinking that she needed to sell the shop, retire, and come live by him so he could check in on her.
He made his way back inside and to the event hall area where Gran stood by the large bridal party table at the far end of the room. Carefully making his way over, he set the huge vase on the table, adjusting it according to his grandmother’s instructions.
Once he’d gotten it settled just right, a familiar voice drifted across the hall and to his ears. He glanced over his shoulder to see a short blonde with dark orange streaks visible in her intricately braided hair, wearing a long flowy dress in a burnt orange color that perfectly matched the roses in the vase he’d just been adjusting.
Mo.
His heart made a weird rapid thumping at her appearance. He ignored it.
She stood next to a taller woman with dark hair pulled into a low bun, a simple black dress, and glasses perched on her nose. Judging from the way the two women were talking—and how the brunette had a clipboard in hand and was checking things on it—he assumed that was one of her business partners in the wedding planning business she ran. Gran had mentioned this was a Mile High Happiness wedding. And yes, perhaps that had influenced him in his decision to come help out.
But he was here for Gran first and foremost. Seeing Mo in her element was simply a nice bonus, even if being near all this happily ever after stuff she believed in made a commitment-phobic chill crawl up his spine. He had to admit he was curious on how the woman handled her business. She didn’t strike him as the professional type. He imagined the kind of weddings Mo planned to be held in the woods with everyone wearing flower crowns and the officiant asking the trees for their blessing or something. But he supposed they catered to their clients, much like any business.
A group of children suddenly rushed into the room, two girls and a small boy. August was crap at guessing kids’ ages. He didn’t have much experience with children. But he’d guess they were…elementary age? Had to be with the amount of energy they were displaying, running around, screaming as the two girls played some version of keep away from the little boy. The kid hopped and jumped, trying to catch the small pillow the girls kept tossing back and forth.
August assumed they were the flower girls and ring bearer and also siblings. Their antics revealed as much. He didn’t have any brothers or sisters, but his dad’s wife had two kids and his mom’s husband had three. Technically, he had stepbrothers and stepsisters, but unlike his stepsiblings, his parents shared custody 50/50 when he’d been a kid. Hard to develop a sibling bond when you only lived in a house three days at a time.
So he didn’t really have firsthand experience with sibling squabbles, but he recognized the actions. He rubbed at the ache in his chest, pushing down the feelings of loneliness and longing as he stared at the playful siblings. When he’d first gotten step-siblings, he’d thought they would all be best friends, but… Sucking in a sharp breath, he shook his head. Now was not the time to waltz down pathetic memory lane.
“Those children better cut that nonsense out before someone gets hurt.”
No sooner had his grandmother spoken the words than the little boy fell. He cried out, holding his knee and wailing like the thing was broken. August watched in fascination as Mo hurried over, checking on the small child and pulling a coin from behind the boy’s ear, which earned her a big grin from the kid.
“She is quite something,” Gran said. “Isn’t she?”
He glanced at his grandmother from the corner of his eye, knowing exactly what the old woman was up to.
Nice try, Gran. I’m not falling for it.
