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.”
“Hello.” Joy clasped her hands together and did her best to grin. “Nice to see you again, Tony.”
“Back this way, mom and dad of the bride.” Annette scooted them to the entrance where Jaime and Michael stood.
“Groom—this way.” The wedding planner took his arm and led him into the garden.
Michael turned and waved goodbye to Jaime.
Tony and Joy faced Jaime.
“Here we are,” Tony said. He took both her hands into his and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “My baby girl is getting married tomorrow.”
“Dad.” Jaime rolled her eyes. “Don’t get all mushy today. Save it for tomorrow,” she teased him.
“Mom, this is your usher, Henry. He’ll take you to your seat for the show.” She winked.
“See you after.” Joy pecked Jaime’s cheek, then took the usher’s arm.
Once seated, Joy turned in her seat to watch each bridesmaid head down the aisle to the music Jaime selected. She waved to Edith and Millie seated in the back, both beaming with happiness. Edith raised her fist into the air as if encouraging Joy to be strong.
