The Flower Shop: Episode 8

Another episode is here! Last week you voted to have Shane interrupt the happy couple, so that’s the content I wrote. There are two parts to this episode. Make sure you click the #2 at the end to read the second half.

Synopsis: When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

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For the second day in a row, Peter woke up in Rhonda’s bed. Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, and the scent of breakfast cooking greeted him. 

He stretched and yawned and ran a hand down his face. Checking the time on his phone, he saw it was almost noon. Damn, he’d slept later than expected.

Yesterday he’d reluctantly left her bed early in the morning because she’d had two weddings to deliver and set up flowers for. While she worked the weddings, he went to the bed-and-breakfast and logged into the system to work. Later, he checked on the contractors at the hardware store, and last night, he took Rhonda to dinner. After dinner, they watched two movies at the theater before returning to her house and falling into bed again. 

He was exhausted but content and ready to see her this morning. In two more days, he’d be driving back to the city, so every minute together counted. 

After washing up in the bathroom, he pulled on a T-shirt and jeans and went into the kitchen where Rhonda was making breakfast. 

“Hey, sleepyhead,” she greeted him, smiling over her shoulder as she worked at the stove. 

She wore baggy shorts and a T-shirt and wore her hair back into a ponytail. 

Peter wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her neck. “Good morning. You should have woke me.”

“I figured you were tired if you were sleeping that late.”

“I think the long week caught up with me.” He yawned. 

“You’ve had a lot going on. Driving up here, getting the hardware store ready, and logging in to the bank every day to keep up with your duties finally took a toll. You desperately needed that rest, more than you realized.”

“Probably. True enough, I tend to work long hours sometimes and then crash on the weekends. This is the first time I’ve slept this late though. Must be all that good loving from last night.” 

Rhonda tossed him a flirtatious look. “Well, I don’t like to brag about my own power…”

Peter chuckled and picked up a strip of bacon and bit off a piece. He wouldn’t be surprised if the location was part of why he’d slept so late. He was much more relaxed in Fountain Springs. In the city, he always felt wired and distracted by a million different things going on.

Rhonda poured beaten eggs into a pan. “Honestly, if I hadn’t gotten hungry, I would still be in bed myself. What are we doing today? We could go to the park or just relax here, or… I’m open to ideas.”

The flower shop was closed on Sundays, so they had the whole day to spend together. 

“How about we relax today? Do absolutely nothing and find a series to binge watch.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“You’re sure? Because if you want to go out, we can do that.”

“No, I’m perfectly happy to stay in.”

“Excellent.” Peter kissed the other side of her neck. She smelled so good, he couldn’t help himself.

She giggled and then lifted her puckered lips up to him, and he gave her a kiss.   

After Rhonda finished cooking, she placed platters of fresh-baked biscuits, bacon, and scrambled eggs on the small table in the kitchen, alongside fruit and jam. With the addition of fresh coffee and juice, breakfast was served.

Peter broke apart a flaky biscuit and slathered on the jam. Biting into the bread, he let out a satisfied groan. “This is so good.” 

When he returned to his life of daily takeout, he’d miss all the home cooking he’d enjoyed from Rhonda and Miss Jean. 

Seated across from him, she gave him a satisfied smile. “Are you still leaving on Tuesday?” she asked, taking a sip of coffee. 

“Unfortunately, I have to. Though she gave me the days out of the office, my boss is clamoring to know when I’ll be back.” One of the messages in his inbox on Saturday had been from the VP, making sure he’d be back like promised. 

“When do you think you’ll return to Fountain Springs?” Rhonda asked hesitantly.

That was the tough part. He didn’t want to make promises he couldn’t keep. “My schedule can be crazy, but I intend to come back as soon and as often as I can.”

“You better.”

Peter smiled, grateful she was as anxious to spend time with him as he was with her. They hadn’t actually said they were getting back together, but it was understood. His future was with Rhonda, and he intended to do everything in his power to make sure a relationship worked between them. 

The doorbell rang as he sipped his coffee, and he frowned. Rhonda did too. 

“Who in the world could that be? Be right back.” She scraped back her chair and left the room. 

Peter couldn’t hear the conversation with the other person, but it sounded like Rhonda was talking to a man. Their voices were low but suddenly became louder, and he slowly put down his fork, cocking his head to listen. 

They were arguing. 

Then the door closed, completely shutting him out of the conversation. 

Who was she arguing with and why?

Peter went to the front door. Through the sidelite, he saw Rhonda having an animated conversation with a man he recognized right away. Shane Weathers. 

The tall brunette had been a friend back in high school, but their friendship ended soon after he started dating Rhonda. 

What the hell was Shane doing here?

Peter should mind his own business, but Rhonda’s body language—alternating between angry hand gestures and crossed arms—prompted him to open the door and step onto the porch. 

They both swung their heads in his direction.

Shane’s eyes narrowed. “So it’s true. Peter fucking Ross, is in town,” he said with disgust.

“What are you doing here?” Peter asked.

“You haven’t stepped foot in this town for years, so shouldn’t I be asking you that question? Or better yet, I should ask Rhonda.” His gaze shifted to her. “What’s he doing here? This is the reason you won’t take my calls?”

Whoa. Peter stiffened in shock. Rhonda and Shane?

“Who I’m seeing is none of your business,” Rhonda said in a hard voice. “You should leave.”

“Why are you questioning who she’s seeing?” Peter asked.

“Oh, she didn’t tell you? Rhonda and I are dating.”

“We are not,” she countered. 

Shane ignored her denial. “Friend of mine told me he saw the two of you at the movies last night. I didn’t believe it, so I called Rhonda this morning, but she didn’t return my call.”

“So you decided to show up here, uninvited?” Rhonda demanded, incredulous.

“Because I deserve an answer!” Shane snapped.

Peter stepped forward, his body tensing. “Hey, watch your tone. Don’t raise your voice at her.” 

Shane jerked his chin higher. “Or what? What are you even doing here, Peter? You left and broke her heart. I was here. I was a friend to her for years. I had to listen to her talk about you like you were some kind of demigod, when we both know you’re not.” 

“Shut up,” Peter said in an even tone. 

“Why? You don’t want her to know about the bet?”

Rhonda’s gaze bounced between them. “What bet?”

Shane smirked. “Tell her. Tell her how you bet me that you could get the perfect A student to fall for you. What a challenge she was for you.”

“You’re a goddamn liar!” Peter turned to Rhonda. “He’s making it sound worse than it is. It wasn’t that kind of bet.” 

“So there was a bet, it just wasn’t that kind of bet?” she asked sarcastically.

“While we’re sharing,” Shane continued, “has she made you breakfast yet? She makes the most delicious, flaky biscuits. Oh, and good bacon too. Her bacon has just the right amount of crispiness.”

The taunting words punched Peter in the chest and knocked the wind out of him. Having Rhonda make him breakfast had made him feel as if they shared something intimate and special. Knowing she’d done the exact same with Shane Weathers—probably after a night of passion like they’d shared—left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. 

Rhonda’s eyes widened. “You’re a jerk.”

“No, you’re the jerk. I’ve been buying floral arrangements from you the past couple months, and you repay me by hooking up with the man who left you behind?”

“I never asked you to buy those arrangements.”

“You didn’t mind leading me on so I could continue, though, did you?”

“You need to leave,” Peter interjected. He and Rhonda needed to talk, and his patience was wearing thin.

His former friend ignored him and continued speaking to her. “Tell me what I did wrong. I was nice to you, I was respectful, but I can’t get you to return a simple phone call when he comes to town.” 

“Get out of here, Shane,” Peter said. 

“Answer me, Rhonda! There’s nothing special about him. If it’s sex you want, I—”

Peter’s fist connected to Shane’s jaw, and Rhonda let out a cry as he tumbled down the steps.