Page 83 of Cheap Shot

Luke shot him alookbut he saw Catherine watching them from across the room as she gathered up art supplies and turned away rather than say what he wanted to.

He wandered over to where Connor was inspecting Evie and Maura’s art. “They both look great, girls,” he told his daughters. “Are we going to hang these on the fridge?”

“So,” Connor said after they’d run off to show their grandmother their finished art, with Harper in tow, “You and Sebastian seem to be getting along better.”

“I guess. I don’t want to punch him in the face at the moment, so that’s something.”

“What were you two talking about earlier, anyway?” Connor asked.

“When?”

“At the table while we were working on crafts.”

“I dunno. Probably something about the kids.”

“You actually looked like you wereagreeingabout something. I was so surprised I had to do a double take.”

“Oh. Probably just that Harper’s dad is a piece of shit.”

“Yeah, seriously,” Connor muttered with a shake of his head. He leaned in. “I’m glad Ma decided to invite Harper and Sebastian today. It seems like they need more people to help out.”

Luke grunted because he wasn’t so sure about including Sebastian, but he kind of agreed with the rest.

“What can I say?” Catherine said as she walked past them, stopping long enough to pat Connor’s cheek. “I’m agenius. Now, help me figure out how to get them and Brie over for dinner. I want her to get to know some of the current and former SAPs with kids. She desperately needs some parent friends.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Later that week, Sebastian finished the last of the arrangements for the following day, feeling pleased.

Rosaleen had worked alongside him, watching what he did, and listening intently when he offered her feedback on her work. She was doing well. Her previous experience in customer service meant that she’d picked up the front of the shop duties easily and she and Morgan were getting along great.

As Sebastian tossed discarded leaves and creased outer petals in the bin as he tidied the workroom, he could hear the two of them laughing up front.

Sebastian smiled and Raul—who was nearby prepping the delivery list for tomorrow morning—smiled back. He was a fiftyish Latino man with sparkling brown eyes and a great sense of humor.

“Girl, those two are getting along like a house on fire, aren’t they?” he asked.

“I was thinking the same thing,” Sebastian said with a laugh.

“It’s good to see. And maybe you won’t have to overwork yourself as much now, hmm?”

Sebastian chuckled. “That’ll be the day.”

“Well, we can dream.” Raul let out a dramatic sigh. “You know, far be it frommeto tell my boss what to do but todaywouldbe a good opportunity for you to take a break actually.”

“You think so?” Sebastian considered the idea.

“Well, orders for tomorrow are just about ready to go. We have enough pre-made bouquets for tomorrow, you already placed the orders for Monday’s flower delivery … I think you’re actually caught up.” Raul gestured, the sleeves of his colorful silk shirt billowing dramatically. “Go live your life! Enjoy your youth while you have it!”

“I’m not that much younger than you!”

“Honey, in gay years I amancient. If I hadn’t met George when I did …” He arched an eyebrow significantly.

“I hear you, I hear you. I’ll go to talk to Morgan and Rosaleen and see what they think.”

When he brought up the idea, both young women nodded.

“Go, go!” Morgan told him, flapping her hands. “We’ve got this, boss.”