She slid up, smoothed her dress, and buckled. "Trouble? That's you."
I climbed behind the wheel, pullin’ up the same playlist we was vibin’ to. “Watch your mouth before I put you in the back.”
She almost laughed, caught herself, and turned up the radio. Ari Lennox floated through the speakers. I glanced over. “So we’re sticking to R&B today?”
“I want you to be happy. It’s your world, baby.” Leaning over, I kissed her lips and pulled off wit’ my hand slidin’ up her thigh.
Her voice softened. “Thank you for being present, babe. Last time…”
“Aye,” I tapped her thigh. “No bringin’ up past shit.”
Truth was, I knew Nyomi was still a lil’ pissed off, Shan blocked her on everything after the shit I pulled. It’s whatever, though. Shit still gettin’ done, and me and my woman was still us. Half an hour later, I parked and motioned toward the flower shop doors.
“Let’s go buy your Springtime shit before I change my fuckin’ mind.”
Nyomi hopped out, slammed the door, and called back over the roof, “Let’s gooo!”
I shook my head, laughin’ as I followed her. The moment we stepped inside the shop, the smell of flowers hit me all at once. Goddamn. There was roses, lilies, and some other expensive lookin’ shit I ain’t even know the names of. The place was bright as hell too wit’ windows, white shelves, and glass vases everywhere.
Her whole face lit up instantly. “Keon… look at this.”
I closed the door behind us and leaned against it for a second watchin’ her move through the place like a kid in a candy store. “This what you been geeked up ‘bout?” I asked.
She turned around, holdin’ up a bouquet, smilin’ big. “Yes.”
I walked over slowly. “It’s just flowers, baby.”
She stared at me like I had insulted her entire bloodline. “They arenotjust flowers.”
I folded my arms. “Aight then. Educate me.”
A brown-skinned shorty wit’ short locs and a warm smile walked up from behind the counter. “You must be the future Joneses,” she greeted us.
I nodded while Nyomi smiled right back. “Yes. Hi.”
The woman chuckled. “Well, welcome to Frost & Bloom. I’m Dominique.”
Nyomi immediately launched into planner mode. “So we’re doing a spring theme. Because we’re not having an outdoor wedding, I want the venue to give garden vibes with every floral arrangement. Elegant but still soft. I want tall arrangements but not too busy.”
Dominique nodded as if she already understood everything. “Perfect. I actually pulled a few examples based on the notes your mom sent earlier.” She led us toward a long table where a few sample arrangements were set up.
Nyomi gasped a little under her breath. “Oh, my God.”
Every flower and branch looked like it was picked out of the garden of life or some shit. Bright colors, some crystal lookin’ shit hangin’ off, green branches twisted through another one. I rubbed my chin, takin’ it all in.
Nyomi walked closer to the table, leanin’ down to study the arrangements like she was evaluatin’ art. “This is beautiful,” she said softly.
Dominique pointed to one of the centerpieces. “This one has pastel pink garden roses, ranunculus, and fresh eucalyptus.”
I blinked. “Sounds bougie.”
Nyomi cleared her throat, nudgin’ me on the side. “Anyway…”
“It probably is.”
Dominique smiled politely. “Let’s move on to some others. Over here, we have…”
For like thirty minutes, she started explainin’ different centerpiece heights, aisle flowers, and ceremony arch options. All that shit. Nyomi listened like a student in class, noddin’ along while occasionally lookin’ back at me. She couldn’t shop smilin’, happy as fuck.