His words make me smile.
I’m so excited! I can’t wait to call Tammy and tell her what just happened. As he lays me down on the bed, I think about how that phone call can wait.
We spend the rest of the day making love and cuddling in bed. Eventually Andrew falls asleep next to me. As we lay there, I think about how things have changed. How much I have changed, because of him.
I swore off love and marriage. I said that it wasn’t for me, that I could never feel things like that. Yet deep down I actually was. I was just too afraid to give into those feelings and admit them.
I snuggle up next to Andrew and am ready to fall asleep. Today was an interesting and exciting day.
In the morning, I’ll call Tammy. I can’t wait to hear her reaction. I also can’t wait to tell her that she was right. Taking her advice and opening my heart to Andrew was the best choice I ever made. For the first time in my life I am in love and I couldn’t be happier about it. That’s the truth.
I start to think about the business, how Andrews plans will help me, but then my thoughts change. I start to think of Andrew and me in California.
What would that be like?
I fall asleep dreaming of the two of us together. We travel the world and visit different places. Both of us happy just to be with each other. That must be what Marsha and her husband feel like with each other. That is what makes love and marriage so appealing.
I guess I was wrong about everything.
Sometimes life can turn into a fairy tale especially when you least expect it.
Chapter 21
Sheila
A month later, we are all gathered at the flower shop for mine and Andrew’s engagement party. It’s the last big celebration that we are having in town. Soon we are heading off to Silicon Valley to celebrate something else that is just as exciting: the grand opening of my new business in that location.
I’m so excited about it but I’m also excited for Andrew to show me the city as well. I’m standing next to Andrew now, while he’s discussing our upcoming trip with Brian and James. We are also explaining our business ideas to them. They are proving to be great friends to Andrew and me. We get along well with them.
“Basically, it will work like this,” Andrew explains. “It’s an on demand flower service that is designed to cater to all the tech gurus in that area.”
Brian and James look at him, impressed.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Brian says.
“Yeah, I like it. That would come in handy if anyone ever needs to apologize to their spouses for working late,” James says.
We laugh.
“That’s one of the scenarios we envisioned when creating the idea,” Andrew says.
I smile up at him proudly. I love how intelligent and talented he is.
He smiles back at me and kisses me softly. As I look around the shop, I see my friend Tammy walk in. I excitedly wave to her. She sees me and hurries over. Once I leave Andrew’s side, Tammy gives me a big hug and says, “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!”
I hug her back and say, “I’m happy for you as well.”
Tammy has been having some luck in the love department as well.
She comments, “Yes, it seems like things are both working out for us.”
I nod in agreement.
“So, you’re really, really happy?” Tammy asks, me as we both look at Andrew.
“Beyond words,” I reply with a smile.
“Good. That’s all I wanted for you,” she says.
We grab drinks from the refreshment table and talk.
“So, I hear you are going to be a big success in the florist industry?” Tammy asks.
I nod.
“Andrew has a lot of great ideas that have really transformed the business,” I reply.
“And you said you didn’t need a man’s help,” she teases.
I roll my eyes and we both laugh.
“I hear the auction business is going well, too?” Tammy asks quietly.
“Yes, I’m surprised by that as well,” I say, as we sip our drinks.
Truthfully, I am. I wasn’t expecting the auctions to be successful. At the rate that they are spreading, though, a lot of the local businesses have been earning more money from them and doing quite well.
A lot of people know about the auctions but help keep the public quiet about it. I was surprised to learn how many people were cool about things like this. After a while, Andrew grabs my hand as he makes an announcement.
“We want to thank everyone for coming to our engagement party. You all know how happy Sheila and I are to be together, and we wish you that same happiness as well. Enjoy the food and have fun.”
Everyone cheers and toasts to us. We hired a DJ to play music, so everyone is having a good time. Andrew spins me around the floor.