“You’re a flower guru, huh?”
I laugh. “Flower whisperer. Come on. Let me help you.”
She purses her lips together. Those same lips I kissed and can’t stop thinking about. “Ok, fine. But don’t think I’m going to get whatever kind of flowers you pick.”
I wink. “We’ll see.” And I hope she does. I need to get past these feelings of wanting her.
* * *
On Monday, I head over to Bearded Goat Brewery, to finally have a face to face with Urban to discuss the possibility of Henry’s firm.
Urban looks up from the papers on his desk when I enter his office. “Time to talk, big brother,” I say with a grin.
“Ellis, so good to see you, man.” He stands and pulls me in for a hug. “I might shed a tear,” he jokes.
“Careful, might lose that badass reputation you have,” I tease him.
“I’m secure in my manhood,” he says, releasing me and resuming his seat.
I’ll admit, I’ve missed my brother.
Normally, I wait until he comes to Atlanta, because I don’t come home hardly ever. Not because I dislike it here in Florida, it’s actually a great place, but I just don’t like dealing with him.
It’s one thing to run into family, and then it’s a completely other thing to keep running into my father.
I swear the man is unavoidable, and I still can’t comprehend how Urban is able to stay here and continue to work for him. I guess I'll never understand it.
Urban’s hazel eyes study me as I take a seat in the leather club chair positioned in front of his desk. “Being home is weird, huh?” he asks.
“Just a little.” I force a smile.
“Don’t worry. He’s not here.”
“Ah, ok.” My body relaxes as I thank my lucky stars the asshole isn’t around.
“He doesn’t come in much anymore.”
I pick up a small silver frame from the cluster on his desk and stare at Urban’s wiener. Dog, that is. “He just likes the title still,” I surmise.
Urban laughs a bit. “Yeah, I guess.” He leans back in his chair and frowns. “It’s not good, El.”
“What isn’t?”
“The business. The brewery. It’s going under.”
I return the frame with his dog to its place, hoping I misunderstood. “How can that be? Things were going so well.”
Urban rakes a hand through his hair, his frown now a permanent feature on his face. He’s older than me by a few years, and he’s a fucking wiz at business. I don’t see how this could be happening with him running the operation. Unless…
“Is it because of him?”
“Yeah.” He worries the corner of his lip and then continues, “He’s developed a bit of a gambling addiction.”
“Of course, he has,” I mutter.
Urban stares at my throat, not meeting my eyes. “I’ve been having to bail him out with a lot of the profits.”
I stand and cross to the window, looking at the rows of cars in the employee lot. Lots of people depend on a paycheck from this business. “Dammit, Urban. What about the IRS?”
“We’re fine there, promise. He took it out as a loan from the company.”
“Let me guess, he’s gonna default on the loan?” I shake my head. “How long have we got until we’re completely fucked?”
Urban scrubs a hand across the stubble on his jaw. “We’ll be completely out of business within the year.”
“No fucking way.” I had no idea it was this bad. Guilt slams into me like a concrete wall. I should have been here.
“I’m sorry. It all happened rather suddenly.” He pushes back his chair and stands. “The market is oversaturated, Ellis.” Urban walks around his desk, leaning back against it, slipping his hands into the pockets of his khakis. He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me for a moment. “I don’t know if anything will help at this point. It would be like throwing a water bottle at a blazing fire.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Giving up is not an option. “Remember Henry Faniki?” I ask.
He smiles for the first time since he started telling me about the business. “Yeah, how is he? I haven’t seen him in ages. Isn’t he in real estate?”
“Investment firm. He’s doing great. I ran into him here at the pub.” I tell him about our conversation and my plan to get the brewery on his firm’s radar with a push from Henry. “He’s getting married and he asked me to be his best man. So, I said yes.”
“Really?” Urban stares at me for a moment. “Wasn’t he always going from girl to girl?”
“Yeah,” I answer. “Sort of like you.”
“Can’t help it if I haven’t met the one,” he says with a wink. “When's the big day?”
“A few weeks. I’m not really sure.” My face grows serious. “I asked him about investing in the brewery.”
“Ah, what did he say?”
“Said I help him, he’ll help me.”
Urban smiles. “Perfect, you better be the best damn best man he’s ever seen.” He laughs.
I don’t laugh along, wondering if I should fill my brother in on the rest of the story. “I met his fiancée.”
“Is she nice?”
“Yeah, seems to be.”
His eyes narrow. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Well…” I pause but know he will keep on till I come clean, “we kind of kissed.”
Urban raises both brows. “Kind of? What do you mean? Like a long time ago?”
“No. Right after I got into town.” He lets out a low whistle. “It was stupid. I’d broken this trellis thing in the parking lot, and she was yelling at me, and Dad and Yasmin were driving by. And I just knew if they saw me they’d stop, and I just couldn’t face him, yet. So, I did the first thing I could think of and grabbed her.”
“And you kissed her? Did she slap you?”
I laugh, remembering back to Kiki’s reaction of our kiss. “She was pretty pissed.”
“You gonna tell Henry?”
I pace the large office. “What do you think?”
“Was it just a kiss? Or are you wanting more?”
My brother knows me so well. It’s been ages since we’ve had a real talk about feelings and women. Normally, we talk shop or about the latest sports game and head on our way.
“I’ll be fine.”
He smiles. “I didn’t ask that, Ellis. You have a thing for this girl?”
My face grows hot with his line of questioning. Under different circumstances, I would have already asked this girl out to dinner. I’d already be planning my second date with her, and how I could get to kissing her again. Full time. But, this is not that circumstance. “If things were different, sure. But, they’re not.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Well, I’m gonna be his best man, save this company, and head back to Atlanta. Why?”
Urban laughs, a long hearty laugh. “It all sounds so easy.”
“It will be. We just need some options. Some fresh new ideas.”
“Options meaning different women?”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Always thinking with your dick. Different business options. Products. Anything. Something we can bring to Henry’s firm.”
“Yes, brilliant idea.” Urban sits back behind his desk, bringing his computer to life. “Let me go over some of the numbers with you.”
“Does Dad know I’m here?” I move around to stand behind Urban, so I can see the computer screen.
“Yeah, I told him you were coming into town.”
“What does he say about the brewery?”
“He doesn’t know.”
Asshole. I doubt he would even care. “I’m sure he’s busy with other things. Do you see him a lot?”
He nods. “Brunch every Sunday with him and Yasmin at the club.”
“Ah, the club.” Pretentious motherfuckers. I hate that life. I hate the life my father represents.
And the life he’s tried to push onto his kids.
/>
“I could really use your help while you’re in town. I don’t need the stress of you and Dad fighting.”
“Yeah, man,” I assure him. “I’m here to help. I don’t even want to see him.”
“You know you can stay with me. I have more than enough room.”
“Nah, it’s ok. I don’t mind the hotel.”
“Well, the offer is there.”
Urban moves the mouse around, clicking on a file on the desktop screen, and my phone pings in my pocket. I glance at a text from Kiki with the name of the flower shop she wants to meet at next week.
“Henry?” Urban asks.
“The girl.”
He shakes his head as he pulls up the financials. “You’re worse off than I thought.”
I’m in deep. “Henry asked so I’m just helping her with a few things for the wedding.”
“Is that such a good idea?”
I nod. “I’m sure after spending a few hours with her, I’ll realize her and Henry are perfect for each other and I’ll not want her anymore.”
Urban shakes his head. “Sounds like a solid plan, buddy.”
“Don’t patronize me. What other choice do I have?”
“You could bow out of this wedding.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine. Besides, we need the investment. Don’t worry, I’m a big boy.”
He laughs. “Sure, you are. Now let me show you last quarter.”
We go over the numbers for a bit, and I realize Urban was right. This is way worse than either of us could have ever thought.
My father has been using the company money like his very own personal piggy bank. The books are a mess, and we’ll need an act of God to dig ourselves out of this. But, it’s not undoable.
In fact, it’s really fucking doable.
EIGHT
Kiki
Never trust a ghost in a flower shop…
“Marsha is going to wrap the palm trees with white roses. Isn’t that clever? Are you still wanting those wildflowers?”
At this point, maybe my mother should just go to Marsha’s wedding instead of my own. I kid. Maybe. Before I enter the flower shop to meet Ellis, I steel myself to not be affected by his presence. All week long, he’s been texting me about flowers. Which then turned into an exchange of wedding planning memes. Which then led me to realize, Henry and I do not have the same sense of humor. When I showed him one of the memes, he said, “Huh, I don’t get it. What’s so funny about that?”
Humor is so important. When times are tough, I need someone who can make me laugh. Ellis thought it was hilarious. But he’s not going to be my husband. He’s not my anything and this is why I need to nip this in the bud. Pardon the pun.
When I step inside the fragranced store, he stands near a display of roses, outshining their beauty.
“Hi,” I greet him.
He’s not as attractive as I initially thought. Seriously, he’s not. Ok, I’m a huge liar. The man is gorgeous. And I don’t know why I even agreed to let him help me, but honestly...I need the help.
Henry doesn’t want to be involved with the planning, which I understand. I get it. I do. He’s got a lot going on with work and trying to become a partner. But, I wish I wasn’t so drawn to the man he asked to help me in his place.
Wait. I didn’t just think that. I’m not attracted to Ellis. I’m...curious?
Yes, that’s what I’m going with. I’m curious about him. Like what’s his favorite...everything.
And I know I shouldn’t be having any of those types of emotions about my fiancé’s best man.
Well, that can change. I’m sure I can find fault in this guy. I mean, look at how he’s walking around this flower shop like a fish out of water.
“So, flowers, huh?” He grabs a rose and smiles.
Ugh, there’s definitely no fault in him there. His lips have a perfect bow and they’re extremely distracting. Ah, yes. That’s a fault. Henry’s lips aren’t distracting. They’re a little thin and less come hither, and perfectly safe.
Henry—1
Ellis—0
Against my will, my eyes scan his jeans and black button-down shirt as he picks up a calla lily. He glances at me over the top of the petals, and I should really call Henry.
Maybe if I hear my fiancé’s voice it will break the spell and remind me I’m getting married soon.
I pull out my phone but quickly push it back into my bag when the flower shop attendant stalks closer.
“Can I help you?” the raven-haired woman asks.
“Yes, I’m getting married and would like to look at some options you have for the ceremony.”
She smiles, glancing between me and Ellis. If she mistakes us for the happy couple like in every romantic comedy movie, I will lose it.
“Sure, I have a binder. Let me find it. I’m Alice, by the way. You two can have a seat at the table out back, and I’ll be right there.”
“Thank you.” Ellis leads the way past a display of begonia plants and opens the door for me. I brush past him, holding my breath so I don’t breathe in his intoxicating scent.
We walk toward a wrought-iron table surrounded by a garden of colorful flowers. “This is nice,” I tell him.
He shrugs. “I don’t really know much about flowers. I’m more of a beer guy.”
See. Right there. Another fault. He’s an alcoholic who drinks a lot of beer. Although, he doesn’t have a beer gut. I glance at his torso that’s probably etched with a six-pack. My hand moves closer to his stomach, and then, as if it doesn’t belong to me, it runs over his shirt.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“I can’t believe I just did this.” I remove my hand as quickly as I can.
Ellis laughs. “What were you looking for there?”
He pulls my chair out for me, shocking me that he’s such a gentleman. He probably throws his jacket over puddles too. Based on the fire incident, Henry probably wouldn’t notice if I fell in a manhole. But that’s ok. I’m a survivor. Yes, letting me rescue myself is good.
Henry—2
Ellis—0
I take a seat, square my shoulders, and let the truth free. “A six-pack.”
Ellis’ eyes meet mine. “Well, I can assure you it’s there.”
And it certainly is. He lifts his shirt. Like a peep show just for me. I feel like maybe I should throw a dollar bill at him, but I can’t move. Instead, I’m gawking like I’ve never seen a six-pack up close and personal like this.
And, I realize I never have. Sure, I’ve seen six-packs in pictures. I’ve seen the movie Magic Mike. I know what they look like. But, I’ve never seen one out in the wild like this. Even his belly button is perfect.
I mean, I love Henry, I do, but he does not have chiseled abs like Ellis. Or that carved vee. And that’s fine with me. Because Ellis would probably expect me to have one too. And the only six-pack I have is sparkling cranberry juice in my fridge.
Henry—3
Ellis—0
Ellis drops his shirt and takes a seat next to me. “If you want to keep staring at it, I’ll have to charge you.”
I laugh, a bit too much, and quickly stop. “No, I mean, no. I didn’t even enjoy that.”
Ellis smiles. “You’re a very strange cookie, Kiki.”
Before I can respond, Alice approaches with two thick black binders nearly falling out of her thin arms. Ellis hops up, meeting her half-way and quickly taking the binders from her. See, he has a hero complex. And if I’m being honest, it’s...endearing.
As a woman, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I do it every day. But the cave woman in me can’t help appreciating a man who is protective. Alice agrees with my traitorous thoughts, judging by the size of her smile.
She leaves us to browse the voluminous selection, and I fixate on flipping through the binder for the second perfect flowers for the wedding, since forget-me-nots are out of the equation. There’s an oppressive silence, as I turn the pages of one binder and Ellis the other. To his credit
, he really looks interested in what’s on the page. Like he might care about what flower we have.
“Why did you kiss me?” I blurt out.
His head moves slowly to me. “I...uhh.” He snaps his binder closed and turns in his seat a little to face me. “My father was driving by, and I didn’t want him to see me. I’m so sorry. Had I known you were engaged I would have never—“
“I know,” I cut him off. “I’m sorry.”
He places his hand over mine, and a zing travels up my arm. “No, you have nothing to be sorry about. I’m the idiot who kissed a friend’s fiancée. You didn’t have on a ring.”
“My ring was swallowed by a goat.”
Ellis laughs—it’s mesmerizing—and I laugh a little too, hoping mine is as good as his. “I’m still waiting on the farm to call.”
“I was not expecting you to say that.” He leans in and his eyes drop to my mouth. “What did Henry say about it?”
“Nothing, actually.” His closeness makes me want to withdraw, but I don’t. He smells divine. It’s not an overpowering expensive cologne you can’t get away from like Henry wears. His scent is clean and understated, making you want to seek it out. “I didn’t elaborate.”
He tilts his head, puzzled for a moment. “He didn’t want the details of that story? I know I do.”
I shrug. Now I’m wondering why Henry didn’t press me for details? It’s not every day a goat eats your ring. I’m also wondering why I find myself telling Ellis every detail of the story and enjoying the amused expression on his face.
“That’s the best thing ever,” he says when I’m finished relaying what happened. “So, wait. How do you get it back?”
“Well, eventually the goat will...“
“Stop.” He places a finger on my suddenly dry lips. “I think I get it, and I don’t know if I can handle it.”
I giggle behind his finger. And then, my laughter fades when he traces his finger tip over my mouth. His eyes are so intense, I inadvertently lick my lips, grazing his finger. His jaw clenches as he pulls his hand back.
NEVER KISS A STRANGER Page 5