Head pounding from a tequila hangover, Greer stumbled out of bed. Lucky for her Emma liked cereal because that was about all Greer could handle. After her school run, she'd get a double mocha latte and feel better. That always improved her attitude.

Emma popped a grape into her mouth. "Did you have fun last night?"

A portion of fruit eased Greer's guilt for the cold breakfast. "Yeah." She squirmed in her seat to make sure her pants didn't catch fire. "We should do something this weekend. Maybe check into a hotel. Swim in a pool. Order room service. Go to a movie. You call that a stay-cation."

"That's funny."

"Yeah. It means you leave home, but don't go out of town."

Emma giggled. "I get it. But on Sunday I'm invited to Lindsay's birthday party."

"Oh, I'd forgotten. We could still spend tonight and tomorrow night. I'll check some hotels and see what's available." Greer turned into the school's circle drive, came to a stop, and leaned over to kiss Emma on the cheek. "Here we are. Have a good day."

Ten minutes later, while in line at Latte Da's coffee house drive-thru, Greer pulled a bottle of ibuprofen from her purse. That and some caffeine should have her back to normal in no time. Her phone chimed a text message. Jackson. What did he want?

Probably still mad, but I'd like to make good on my promise to Emma. Please let me take you both to the wild animal safari and the drive-in tomorrow. It would mean a lot. J

She moved forward in line, placed her order and re-read the message. Delete. She'd made up mind. She'd pretend to hate him, because he deserved it.

Another chime.

Okay. It isn't about keeping a promise. I want to see you.

Damn him. She pitched the cell onto the passenger seat. She wasn't about to answer. Not yet. Maybe never. Turning onto her street and for the first time in days, found it empty. Not a single car parked on the curb. Just as she thought, the silver Chevy she'd seen must have been a visitor. Thank goodness she'd not bought into the cat man's paranoia. He probably believed in UFO's and Big Foot, too.

As she stepped inside the house, another text. Crap. Was he going to keep this up all day?

Guess you're still mad. I'll do anything to make it up to you.

Greer turned on airplane mode, laid it on the counter, and went to make beds. Then she returned to the kitchen, and used the land line to call Nova. For sure she'd be more help than the kittens had been.

Once she finished telling the story, her friend started "Wellll. You didn't say he compared your lie to his, so I'll give him points for that."

Greer didn't like the tone Nova used when she drew out the word. "What are you talking about? What lie?"

"You know. My lie. To Blake. And how you were a part of that. He told Jackson the story, so I'm just surprised he didn't use it for ammunition. To justify his."

"Shit. Why did Blake do that?"

"Jackson asked. Apparently you'd mentioned we had an odd beginning, so he was curious."

As she talked, Greer picked up a cup towel and moved around the room dusting the tops of picture frames. "So I should forgive him?"

"The fact you called me for advice tells me he's important to you. Right? And don't give me that crap about how gorgeous he is. It goes deeper than that. A lot deeper. Look how happy I am, and I almost threw it all away. You're on the edge of doing the same thing. Be careful. Don't fuck this up."

Count of Nova to tell it like it is. Jackson was important. But before she could thank her for the wisdom, the doorbell rang. "Hold on a second, Nova."

Greer tossed the dusting cloth onto the counter. She pulled the door open, and found a man, holding a long, white box. She looked to the left where a van from Affairs to Remember idled in the drive.

"Miss Starkey?"

"Yes."

He presented her with the delivery. "Have a great day."

"Thank you."

She spoke into the phone again. "I just got a flower delivery."

"What does the card say?"

"They're from Jackson, because this is the same company he used for our sunset picnic."

"Duh. I didn't asked who sent them. I want to know what the message is."

Greer read it and then pressed it to her chest. "He is driving me crazy."

"Good God. Read it already."

"It says. 'I wanted to be the first.'"

"What does that mean?"

"I told him I'd never gotten flowers from a man."

"Hang up and call me back on your cell, so you can put me on Face-time."

It only took a few minutes to reconnect. When she did, Greer rotated the screen to show Nova the sunflowers.

"Is that another note? Read it."

Greer took a deep breath and instead of reading it, angled it toward the phone.

Nova read aloud, "'In another month, the field will be in full bloom. I want to share that with you.' Holy crap, Greer. He's asking you to stay."

"No, he isn't."

"Subtle, but yes, he is. Don't be stupid. Answer his texts. Accept the date. Screw his brains out. And marry him before someone else does."

That got a laugh from her. "Yeah, like he's going to ask. He wants to get me into bed before I leave, and he's working hard for it."

"Yes he is, and I think you should reward him."

----------------

Sorry for such a short, filler chapter. Next will be better

Til next time,

x zuz