“You’re such a good mom. What are your plans after the wedding?” Millie hugged Joy’s arm.

“Oh, didn’t Edith tell you?” Joy stood before them. “I plan on buying a flower shop in town and managing it myself.” She rubbed her hands together. “Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, I’m so excited.”

Millie’s eyes widened. “No, really. What are your plans?”

“Really.” Joy glanced at them both. “That’s what I really plan on doing. I mentioned it to you, didn’t I, Edith? I thought I did.”

“Well, good for you. That sounds wonderful. That’s perfect for you. You’ll have to show us where it’s located in town. Right, Edith?” Millie winked at her friend.

“What a coincidence.” Edith picked up a champagne flute filled with sweet mimosa and held it up as if toasting Joy.

“A coincidence?” Joy crinkled her nose. “What coincidence? What are you talking about?”

Millie turned away, trying to hide her giggles.

Edith rolled her eyes.

“Seriously, what coincidence?” Joy attempted to get it out of Millie. “You’re both acting strangely.”

“Well, just yesterday, Martin and I took a stroll downtown and saw this adorable flower shop that just so happens to be for sale.”

Joy raised her chin. “Yes! That’s the place I told you about. It is adorable. Perfect location, established clientele, and everything. They handle flowers for all the weddings, retirement parties, funerals . . . It would be the ideal shop to buy. The couple wants to retire to Florida, but neither of their two kids wants to take over the business.”

“I know. I talked with the owners yesterday.” Edith sipped her mimosa.

“You did?” Joy tilted her head. “Aren’t they the sweetest couple? But the shop is just too expensive for me. I doubt I’d get a loan big enough to take it over.”

“Too late anyway,” Millie said. “They sold the shop yesterday.”

Joy’s countenance fell, and so did her shoulders. “No.”

Millie pursed her lips. “It’s true.”

“You’ve got to be kidding. I knew I didn’t act fast enough. I guess it’s too late.” Joy tossed her hands into the air. “What else is new, huh? There is another shop for sale in nearby Larchmont. It’s not as big, but it’s cute.”

“Yep. The little shop in New Rochelle sold.” Edith winked at Millie. “Some old broad bought it but needs someone to run the joint.”

Joy glanced at her. “Really? Do you know who it is? I mean, I could go talk to her. I’m sure I could convince her to hire me to manage it, and then maybe down the road, she’d sell it to me. What do you think? Is she nice?”

Millie crinkled her nose. “Somewhat nice.”

Edith smacked her.

“Hey!” Millie rubbed her arm. “See? She can be a bit cranky at times. Are you sure you want to work for her?”

Joy squinted. “Wait . . . what? Work for her . . . What are you two talking about?”

Edith raised her glass again as if toasting.

Joy’s eyes widened. “You? You bought the shop?”

Edith nodded.

“You?”

“I sure did. And you know what? The more I think about it, the more I realize that I don’t want to run a flower shop. So how about I sell it to you for the bargain price of ten dollars?”

Millie crossed her arms and frowned. “I was thinking more like one dollar, but that’s just me.”

Joy smiled so widely, she thought her face might crack. “No way. Are you serious?” She covered her mouth with both hands. “Edith!”

“For ten . . . okay, one dollar, the shop is yours to own and run and do whatever you want with.” Edith removed a set of keys from her purse and dangled them in the air. “Here you go!”

Joy stepped back for a second and took it all in. “Oh, Edith. I don’t know what to say.”

The lovely shop appeared in her mind. Its stained glass windows, rows of glass shelves filled with colorful blooms and vases, the various plants in ceramic pots that adorned the entryway, black and white tiled floor, the French door entrance complete with its little brass bell dangling above it, and the clientele she’d inherit all brought tears to her eyes.

She gently took the keys from Edith’s fingers and held them in her palm as if they were rare jewels. To her, they were rare jewels, and the shop in town was the treasure chest.

“I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve been patronizing this shop for decades. I love it.” She held them to her chest.

“I know. When I told the owners what I was doing for you, they were thrilled. They know you and are so happy that you are taking over the shop, Joy.” Edith handed her a glass of mimosa.

“I honestly don’t have the words, Edith,” Joy said in a weepy voice. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Well, don’t cry before the wedding day.” Millie wiped a tear from her own eye.

“Here’s to Joy and dreams coming true.” Edith toasted her.

“Hear, hear.” Millie gently clanked her flute with Joy’s. “Here’s to a bright future.” She winked. “And to having very rich friends.”

“All I ask is for you to name it Edith’s Place.” Edith raised a sarcastic eyebrow.

Joy almost spit out her mimosa. “What? Uh . . . yeah, no. I don’t think so.”

The three friends roared with laughter and hugged through their joyful tears.

“Okay, ladies and gentlemen.” Annette, the wedding planner, clapped her hands. “Places, please,” she shouted. A portly thirty-something woman, what she lacked in height, she made up in feistiness.

“Places . . . places. Where’s my place again?” Joy frantically searched for her place, frustrated that she had forgotten.

“Hello, Joy.”

That familiar voice stunned her into a frozen state. Oh no. She paused and caught her breath as her throat tightened. She swallowed and slowly turned around to face the inevitable.

Tony grinned and waved his hand over the chairs before him. “I think you sit here.”