Blue Dahlia (In the Garden #1)

Even as she hung the basket, he was lifting another, and by merely raising his arm, set it in place. Showoff.

Shorty.

Hayley came through the doorway, turned briskly on her heel and headed out.

Hayley.

Forgot something, she called out and kept going.

Stella blew out a breath and would’ve asked for another basket, but he’d already picked one up, hung it. You’ve been busy, she said.

Cool, dry weather the last week.

If you’re here to pick up the shrubs for the Pitt job, I can get the paperwork.

My crew’s out loading them. I want to see you again.

Well. You are.

He kept his eyes on hers. You’re not dim.

No, I’m not. I’m not sure –

Neither am I, he interrupted. Doesn’t seem to stop me from wanting to see you again. It’s irritating, thinking about you.

Thanks. That really makes me want to sigh and fall into your arms.

I don’t want you to fall into them. If I did, I’d just kick your feet out from under you.

She laid a hand on her heart, fluttered her lashes, and did her best woman of the south accent.

My goodness, all this soppy romance is too much for me.

Now he grinned. I like you, Red. Some of the time. I’ll pick you up at seven.

What? Tonight? Reluctant amusement turned to outright panic in a fmgersnap. I can’t possibly just go out, spur of the moment. I have two kids.

And three adults in the house. Any reason you can think of why any or all of them can’t handle your boys for a few hours tonight?

No. But I haven’t asked, a concept you appear to be unfamiliar with. And – She shoved irritably at her hair. I might have plans.

Do you?

She angled her head, looked down her nose. I always have plans.

I bet. So flex them. You take the boys for ribs yet?

Yes, last week after –

Good.

Do you know how often you interrupt me in the middle of a sentence?

No, but I’ll start counting. Hey, Roz.

Logan. Stella, these look great. She stopped in the center of the aisle, scanning, nodding as she absently slapped her dirty gloves against her already dirt-smeared jeans. I wasn’t sure displaying so many would work, but it does. Something about the abundance of bloom.

She took off her ball cap, stuffed it in the back pocket of her work pants, stuffed the gloves in the other. Am I interrupting?