“If you promise to call him.”
With a huff, I moved the roses to my planning desk. “Okay, if I have time.”
“Make time.” Lorea returned to the back of the shop.
Dallas called me twenty minutes later. “I need to see you.”
“I can’t today. It’s Natalie’s bridal shower, remember? My parents are here to help me, and they might be staying the night again. We won’t be home until later.”
“I’d be happy to help.”
“I appreciate that, Dallas. I really do, but I still feel kind of frazzled, and I can’t have any distractions.” Darn, that came out wrong. “What I mean is, if you’re there, I’ll want to be with you instead of running around like a madwoman.”
Dallas chuckled. “I think I understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Forgive me. But at least I have an idea how to make it up to you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. You’ve told me again and again how busy this time of year is for you, and I keep pushing you.”
Nothing like a guilt trip. Sheesh, he was good. “I’m glad. You’ve helped me a lot. And I do owe you—a trip to the hot springs. I wonder, are you available Thursday?”
“I’m available whenever you have an opening.”
“Okay, let me get this shower over with, and then we can plan.”
“Tomorrow sounds great, but I still need to see you, just to make sure you’re okay. Can I stop by the shop for a minute?”
It was a good thing we were on the phone so he couldn’t see the pained expression on my face. I glanced at the back where Mom was helping Lorea sort through tablecloths and candles for the evening. I wasn’t ready to introduce Dallas yet—too many implications. “I’m leaving in half an hour to run some errands. I can make time for a quick lunch.”
“That’d be wonderful. I’m in Hailey showing some property. Do you want me to grab a sandwich on my way into town and meet you somewhere?”
“Sounds perfect. Let’s stop at the park just off First Street.”
I ended the call and hurried back to check off the last of the table decorations. It took some ingenuity, but I told my mom I needed to run a few errands while she finished up with Lorea. An hour later, I met Dallas at the park and ate my sandwich like a ravenous beast.
“I never get to stop for a decent lunch break, so thank you. I need energy today.”
Dallas put his arm around me and pulled me toward him. “Thank you. I guess persistence pays off.” He kissed my cheek. I leaned my head against his shoulder.
Dallas was charming, and we had some great chemistry, so what was my problem with commitment? The bouquet of roses Luke sent came to mind, and I felt my cheeks grow warm with a twinge of guilt. He was not my type—a divorce attorney who was full of himself. But my initial impression of him had been revised, especially after he’d confessed the truth about his dislike of marriage. I truly didn’t believe he’d told me that to reel me in, but it had had that effect on me, nonetheless. I smiled when I recalled the quick gardening lesson I’d given him.
“What are you thinking about?”
I jerked my head upright. “Oh, nothing.”
“Must be something good, with a smile like that.”
“Just a daydream.” I knew my smile didn’t hide the nerves playing around the edges of my mouth, but Dallas just smiled back and dipped his head. He kissed me, and his lips lingered on mine for a moment before he broke contact.
I crinkled my sandwich wrapper. “Not the best ingredient for the world’s greatest kiss, but thanks.”
Dallas chuckled. “I love you, Adri.”
I choked. There were those words again. The ones I was so not ready to say. Dallas patted my back as I coughed. When I settled down, I took a big gulp of water. “Sorry, lettuce down the wrong pipe.” I hugged him and then murmured, “I need to go. But I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
Dallas kissed my forehead. “Can’t wait.”
Every one of the eight tables in Brock’s backyard was decorated with a cream linen tablecloth. On top of that was sheer pink lace, and then the centerpieces added a touch of Natalie to the decorations. A round candle about six inches high sat in a hand-thrown pottery bowl. The bowl was half filled with water and lined with smooth river rocks. The candles flickered gently in the breeze that wasn’t strong enough to cool my glistening forehead. I always got overheated at events, running back and forth triple-checking things, but as I stopped to admire the setup, I had to admit it was perfect.
The tables had been placed among Brock’s wildflower and antique rose gardens. I admired the beautiful setting as I went on a hunt for a lighter. I’d used up the last of my matches relighting the candles.
My heels clicked against the stone pathway winding around the pool and up to the back entrance to the house. Natalie had said Brock kept a few torch lighters in a drawer beside the fridge. I pulled open one of the French doors, ready to make a beeline for the kitchen, and froze.
Brock and Luke turned toward me mid-laugh with glasses in their hands.
“What are you doing here?” Suddenly I remembered something that answered my own question. Luke must have been the lawyer friend Natalie mentioned who drew up the prenuptial agreement. I recalled how upset Natalie was when she first told Lorea, but then the lawyer had explained to her how it could protect both her and Brock from the high-profile life Brock led. She had signed the agreement a couple weeks ago.
“Don’t worry. We’ll be leaving soon.” Brock tilted his head toward Luke. “This is Luke Stetson, my lawyer.”
“One of them,” Luke interrupted with a smirk. “And I know Adri.”
“That’s right.” Brock snapped his fingers. “She’s the wedding planner you were asking me about. Remind me how you two
