“What are you doing, Brody? You’re freaking out, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “Give it time to sink in. You two will figure it out. Long-distance parenting isn’t ideal, but it’s not impossible.”
Long-distance parenting was not an option. “I need a favor. It’s going to require you hide some details from your sister.”
“I don’t hide things from my sister.”
“Do you want her to live in Arizona?”
“Well . . . yes.”
“Then that’s the price.”
She hesitated. In the background, a cartoon played on the TV. “Tell me.”
“Tomorrow morning, I need you to buy Welcome Floral.”
“What? It’s not for sale.”
“Everything is for sale.” A truth I believed to the marrow. “Make the Backers an offer they can’t refuse.”
Chapter Eight
Aria
“You’re joking,” Mark said. “Right?”
“I’m not.”
“No.” His face fell. “You can’t leave.”
In all the years I’d known him, I’d never seen such sorrow on his face. And disappointment. I’d come in today to give my notice as head groundskeeper at The Gallaway. Mark had been in his office and I’d asked Andy if he had a moment. Better to tell them both at the same time.
“But . . . why?” Andy asked, standing beside Mark’s desk. He had one hand on the surface, holding tight like he was about to faint.
Telling them the truth, that I was pregnant, wasn’t an option. Not only did that seem cruel to Andy, but considering it was still early, I wasn’t sure if it was smart to make the announcement.
Plus they’d ask questions about the father I wasn’t ready to answer.
“I want to live closer to my sister and nephew. He’s getting older and I want to be a part of his life. Both their lives.” It wasn’t a lie. It was just one slice of the truth pie.
Mark blinked, staring at me like this was some sort of hoax.
“But . . .” Andy shook his head, like he was trying to rewind the last ten minutes.
“I’m so grateful,” I told Mark. “You’ve given me the career of my dreams. Please know that I’m so very grateful. But I need to be closer to family. I’m lonely.”
Understanding crossed his features. Mark had been single for as long as I’d known him. Aside from the occasional girlfriend, he lived a solitary life. But he had family in the area and he often spent time with his parents. He knew I was alone here and that I was desperately close to Clara.
“How long can you stay?” he asked.
“Two months?” That was six weeks longer than the standard notice, but I owed them a lot. And two months here would give me time to pack my condo.
Last night, Brody had asked me for a year. Only a year. But in my heart, I felt the goodbye. When I left Oregon, I wouldn’t be moving back.
“Could we work out an arrangement?” Andy asked. “More time off so you can travel. Expand your staff so you’re not so tied here during the season. Before you quit, let’s brainstorm.”
I sighed. It came as no surprise that Andy had the energy for a debate, but I was simply too tired. And nauseous. Last night’s pizza was churning in my stomach. I wouldn’t make it through brainstorming without puking in Mark’s trash can.
Mark and I had been through a lot over the years. We’d grown to know one another as friends, not just boss and employee. But puking in the owner and CEO’s trash can was crossing a line. I had minutes, not hours, before I’d need to hightail it to the bathroom.
Besides, after staying up most of the night considering Brody’s proposal, any negotiation would be pointless.
I’d made my decision.
Mark must have seen the conviction on my face because he held up a hand to silence Andy. Then he gave me a sad smile. “Two months is very generous. We’ll take it.”
“Thank you.” My shoulders slumped. So did Andy’s. “For everything. Thank you.”
“You’ll always have a place here,” he said. “If Arizona doesn’t work out, come back to us.”
“I appreciate that. I’ll put together a transition plan and make sure the staff is trained. We’re in good shape at the greenhouse.”
“Don’t worry about that this week.” Mark waved it off. “Go to Arizona. Enjoy Christmas. We’ll plan when you return.”
He really was the world’s best boss’s boss. I was going to miss Mark. I was going to miss The Gallaway. This job had been an anchor, keeping me grounded while I’d grown from a young woman into an adult.
And now I was going to become a mother.
I was to become the anchor.
God, I hoped I had the strength.
“Merry Christmas,” I told them both, then left them alone. I closed the door behind me, but not soon enough to miss Andy release a pained groan.
Poor guy.
I breathed deeply, something I hadn’t done all morning. Then the shaking set in and reality hit. It was done. I’d quit my job.
The urge to cry came on so strong I struggled to blink the tears away as I walked down the hallway, making my way to the main floor. But there wasn’t time to cry. Because I had to puke.
After a quick stop at the bathroom—at least I was getting used to the retching—I went to the lobby. Mark and Andy had been my first stop of the day. Brody was the second.
“Hey,” I greeted the receptionist. “Could you ring a guest room for me?”
“Sure. What’s the name?”
“Bro—” The call wasn’t necessary. As I glanced over my shoulder, I spotted him in the lobby. “Oh. Never mind.”
Brody stood in the center of the room, dressed in the same suit he’d worn last night, talking on the phone. He looked rumpled. His hair was damp and finger combed. His suit wasn’t its usual crisp. Still, he was the most handsome man to ever grace these halls.
He’d come here without a bag, hadn’t he? The cold robot who loved money had cared enough and been freaked out enough to hop on a plane without so much as a toothbrush. He’d come here on a spur-of-the-moment decision because our lives were now different. Entwined.
He’d rushed to my side and begged me not to cut him out of our kid’s life.
Brody never stopped surprising me.
It was endearing, seeing him as human, knowing he wasn’t abandoning me to single parenthood. His apology for the morning after the wedding had helped too.
Hovering beside the reception counter, I waited until he hung up the phone. He let his arm drop, the device in his grip, but he stared at it like he wanted to throw it on the floor and walk away forever.
Brody dragged a hand through his hair, tucked the phone into his pocket and turned. He took one step before his chin lifted and he spotted me. Then he froze.
“Hi.” I waved and crossed the lobby.
“Hi. How are you?” Brody towered over me, seeming taller than ever today, even disheveled.
Was it strange that I wanted him to hold me?
“Nauseated. Tired. Soon to be unemployed.”