Wallflower (Whittaker Floral #2)

27. Hannah

The red sign was just visible up ahead. In the nine years I’d lived in Chicago I’d passed Wrigley’s iconic marquee more times than I could count, but I’d never really noticed or cared until Declan came into my life. Declan, who chose that moment to tighten the hold he had on my hand, squeezing once as he wove though the busy street with the practiced grace of a New Yorker. That sign and this man would forevermore be tangled up in my mind.

It was August fourteenth—just two days before the date I’d felt equal parts dread and excitement over for the past month—and the last place I’d thought I’d be was Wrigley Field. “You know I love going to games with you,” I’d said cautiously when Deck brought up the idea, “but I’m not sure I want to spend my last Saturday in Chicago at a baseball game, Declan.”

He’d kissed my knuckles, just the barest touch of lips on my skin, and said, “I know that. I thought we could invite all your friends to the game, then all go out afterward. Like a last hurrah for Chicago.”

“Well, that does sound fun,” I acknowledged.

Now we found ourselves at Wrigley, using the special entrance that would take us up to the box suites. Deck pulled me to the side of the entrance as we got close, his hands landing on my hips. “Is everything okay?” I asked.

One of his thumbs ran up and under the Cubs shirt I wore and his face tipped forward until his forehead touched mine. “Everything is wonderful. We won’t be alone for the rest of the night, so I wanted to say I love you.”

I smiled. “I love you, too.” His lips closed the distance to meet mine in a small, tender kiss that only made me hungry for more.

I didn’t get more, though, because his hand sought mine again and he was leading the way through the gate and up to our suite. We weren’t the first ones there. Declan had invited the women from my work, Ethan and his family, and Nady and Mason. We’d spent a great deal of time with Ethan and Ellie over the past five weeks, trying to make the most of our time left in Chicago. Declan hadn’t said as much, but I knew he and Ethan were going to miss each other terribly. I felt badly he was being torn away from his brother so soon after they’d reconnected, but I was also glad for one more reason to visit Chicago frequently.

Two weeks ago, Nadia had come into the city to meet with me in Elizabeth’s shop, where I designed the arrangements for her wedding. They were the first arrangements I’d ever made, apart from what Declan had ordered, and though I wouldn’t be in town to make them myself, we planned to fly back from Japan for the wedding during the time between the end of the Japanese baseball season and the MLB Japan All-Star game, which wasn’t until mid-November.

Ethan, Ellie, Nady, and Mason were already in the suite when we got there, along with Elizabeth, Bitty, Julia, and Jane. “Where’s Matty?” I asked as I hugged Elizabeth, but the older woman only shrugged.

“She’s running late, I suppose.”

I frowned. Elizabeth didn’t seem worried, so I assumed I shouldn’t be either, but Matty was never late. Matty’s favorite pastime was complaining about how important it was to be on time. Declan, seeing my frown, leaned in close to my ear. “What’s wrong, babe?”

I shook my head, as if the action was enough to shake the negative thoughts from my brain. “Nothing. Matty’s just late.” I meant to leave it at that, but I continued explaining. “Which is weird. Because she’s never late.”

“She texted me to say she was running late. Don’t worry about it,” he said.

“She texted… you ?” I was pointing at him, as if he might be confused about who contacted him.

“Yep,” he replied simply.

“And not me?” I asked, requiring more information as to why my best friend in the whole world was texting my boyfriend instead of me. While Matty and Deck had gotten to know each other well in the preceding forty-four days, it was beyond unusual for her to forgo texting me in order to text Deck instead. Honestly, I was shocked she had his number. Something was going on here. Declan’s eyes darted left and right suspiciously, and I was preparing myself to hear whatever answer he could have for this question, when the door swung open and Matty walked in.

“Sorry we’re late!” she exclaimed, wrapping me in a quick hug. The word we’re caught my ear, and my eyes focused on the space behind Matty, where another woman was walking in.

“Hannah!” Drea squealed, opening her arms wide.

“Oh my God, Drea! I didn’t know you were in town,” I said, stepping into her hug.

“She’s in town for you, silly,” Matty replied. “I’m late because I had to pick her up from the airport. I texted Deck.” She raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t tell you why I was late, did he?”

“I didn’t,” he said from where he stood behind me.

“You must be Declan,” Drea said. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

He nodded. “You too. Nice to meet you.”

“Where’s Milo? And Aria?” I asked, not bothering to further introduce Drea, since she and Deck seemed to have done most of the work themselves.

Drea grinned widely. “They took the rental car and are driving down to Springfield to visit his family,” she replied. “I’m staying with Matty?— ”

“With both of us,” Matty interjected, because you’re staying over at my place tonight.”

I opened my mouth to say that I couldn’t, that most of my things were packed and I hadn’t even talked through the possibility with Deck, but I clamped it shut again, trapping those words inside, because I knew without a shadow of a doubt Declan would want me to do whatever made me happiest. And this grown-up sleepover with my best friends, as silly and impulsive as it seemed, was what I wanted to do. I glanced at Deck, and he smiled. “I dropped your bag off at Matty’s this morning, so she has your stuff.”

“Seriously?” I looked between Deck and Matty.

“Of course,” Matty replied. “I think of everything. It’s why you love me.” She looped her arm through mine and reached back to pull Drea along as well. “Now, let’s go watch baseball.”

An hour later, the Cubs were losing, but the night was beautiful and I was so happy to have all of my friends and Declan’s family close before we left them in two days. During the seventh-inning stretch Declan slipped out onto the patio and put his hand on my shoulder, just as he had at the first game he invited me to. This time I was sitting between Ellie and Drea, doing a much better job of paying attention to the game, even as I chatted away with both women. I turned and smiled at Declan, and Ellie politely busied herself with the baby she was bouncing on one knee.

He gave my hand a little tug, and I stood, rounding the seats to kiss him. His mouth was warm against mine as his hands pressed to my back, and I thought, not for the first time, that it was surprisingly easy to leave my home, my work, and my friends, knowing I’d be leaving with this man. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close, walking us into back into the suite, where most people had ended up congregated. “Hey, everyone!” he called out. “I just wanted to thank you all so much for being here.” I glanced back at the patio door, where our friends were now trickling in. “This summer has been a strange one for me. I started a new job, met most of you folks—and you’re great people—got to reconnect with my big brother and his family, and, of course, I met this amazing woman.” Declan turned towards me.

“Hannah,” he said, “you are truly the most amazing person I’ve ever met.” I blushed at his public compliment, and he continued, smiling at me, “You are so smart, so funny, such an incredibly talented artist, and so beautiful. I cannot believe my luck that my brother and sister-in-law chose a wedding florist who would end up being the love of my life. I know my life is better because of you and I know I want to spend every day, from this day forward, making you happy.” He knelt, pulling a small box from his pocket, and I gasped, full understanding of what was happening finally dawning on me. “Please, Hannah Jackson, make me the happiest man on earth by agreeing to be my wife.”

For one beat, I stared at him, taking in this moment. It was only a millisecond, but for that one beat, Declan looked almost pained. “Of course! Yes! Declan, yes!” I responded finally, and he jumped up and lifted me into the air, spinning us once before he kissed me deeply.

“Give her the ring!” Ellie called out, and there was laughter.

Declan pulled back from me suddenly. “I forgot!” We laughed, but my laughter turned to a gasp as he pulled the ring from the box. The center diamond was large and round and smaller diamonds lined each side of the platinum band it sat on. It looked simple, not at all fussy, but I was sure it had cost an incredible sum of money.

“Deck,” I whispered, my eyes wide, feeling unsure about the grandness of it.

He slipped the ring onto my finger and pulled me close, holding my hand between us so we could both see it. The crowd began to turn back to the game, more out of politeness than interest, I thought, and when Declan spoke again, his voice was a whisper, meant only for me. “I looked at so many rings, hundreds, probably. I would picture your hand—small, smooth, delicate—working on the arrangement you made me, and nothing I saw seemed worthy of you. But when I saw this ring, I could picture it on your finger while you worked.

“If you hate it, that’s fine, we can get another one, but if you’re just worried about the cost, please don’t worry about that today. If you don’t hate it, then don’t worry about anything else. Just know that every day, for the rest of our lives, when I look at that beautiful ring on your talented hand, I will remember the day Hannah Jackson agreed to be mine, and believe me when I tell you it will be worth every penny I spent. So, be honest, do you like it, or no?”

“I love it, Deck—” I breathed out, but he cut me off before I could object.

“Then it’s settled. Every day, for the rest of our lives, I will look at that ring and remember this moment, the best day of my life.” He leaned in and kissed me, deep and hungry, his soft lips pressed to mine, then stepped back, pulling me close to his side and looking out at the field. “The Cubs are going to lose,” he said.

“You know baseball is boring, right?” I asked with a grin as we walked back out to the patio together.

He shook his head at me, smiling. “I’m telling you, the more you learn the more interesting it gets.”

“Strike, ball, hit, four bases. What more do you really need to know?” I joked.

“Let me tell you about the pitchers a little.”

“Please don’t do that.” Still smiling, I kissed him.

He leaned close. “You know, I’m going to drive you crazy in Japan,” he said.

“Probably, but I knew a long time ago that I would rather hear you talk about baseball than just about anyone else talk about anything else.”

We watched in silence for a few minutes, then he reached across me, grabbing my left hand, bringing it to his face and kissing it. “I love you, Hannah.”

I grinned, turning to face him. “I love you, too, Deck.” I leaned closer to him, lowering my voice. “Can I tell you a secret? Do you promise not to tell anyone?”

His eyebrows furrowed for a moment in question, then I pulled his head down so my lips brushed his ear and whispered, “I secretly like baseball, too.”

Elizabeth and Bitty were first to leave, and I hugged Elizabeth long and hard, feeling an unexpected glut of tears. “Thank you, Elizabeth,” I choked out, “for taking a chance on me.”

Elizabeth laughed, sounding as emotional as I was. “Before I’d even met you, Matty said I had to hire you, and you know what Matty’s like when she gets something in her head.” She pulled back from the hug, taking my face between her two hands. “But I have no regrets, Hannah. You are so wonderfully talented and kind, and I’m thankful my daughter has you in her life.”

I lost the battle to my tears, and Elizabeth pulled me close and squeezed me once more. “What did you do to her?” Matty joked behind me, and I knew my friend well enough to know she was cutting some of the tension. I sniffed once, looking at Bitty.

“Good luck, Hannah. I’m happy for you,” she said, which was maybe the most words I’d ever heard her say at one time.

“Thank you, Bitty,” I said, sniffing again, leaning in for a hug from the older woman, who’d never given any indication of being a hugger. I wasn’t usually a hugger either, though, and today I was, so I didn’t think too hard about pulling her in tightly. I exchanged hugs with Jane and Julia, as well, realizing it was possible I would never see either of them again. Both were young, and there may come a time when they would leave Whittaker Floral.

Nady and Mason left next, Nadia looking bone tired and gently rubbing the small swell of stomach that confirmed my previous suspicions. “I’ll see you at the wedding,” I said. I rather liked that she’d picked a tight sheath gown that would show off her six-months pregnant belly for her wedding. She had a level of unselfconsciousness you had to love.

Nady brightened. “Absolutely,” she said.

Next to me, Declan was exchanging hugs with his brother. I’d never had a sibling to be close with, but I assumed he felt even more ripped apart leaving Ethan than I felt leaving Matty, and I hurt for them both. Still holding Cora, Ellie embraced me once, fast and hard. “You’re going to make me cry,” she mumbled, frowning at me.

I disentangled Cora’s pudgy little fingers from my hair and gave them a quick kiss. “I’m going to miss you guys, too,” I said. “It was so amazing getting to know you both—all four of you.”

“Say bye-bye to Auntie Hannah, Cora?” Ellie said to the baby, and I nearly gasped as the truth of her words hit me. Matty and Elizabeth had been an adopted family to me after I left for college and my mother cut me off, but I hadn’t had family in years. Now, by agreeing to marry Declan, I would not only be getting my husband, but his family, too.

Ethan stepped in next, trading places with his wife so she could say goodbye to Declan. “Congratulations,” he said. “I couldn’t have wished for a better match for my brother.”

“Thank you,” I replied, leaning in for a hug in the hopes he wouldn’t notice the violent blush that sprung up at his compliment.

“Come on,” Ethan said, nodding toward his family. “Let’s head home and let them enjoy the rest of their night.”

“Congratulations,” Max said amicably as he stepped in front of me. “Guess Ellie’s right and you’re my Aunt Hannah now.” He smiled a big smile that was a perfect match to his father and Declan’s, then held out a fist. I bumped it awkwardly, maybe a little too hard.

“Your face looks like mine did the first time he called me Uncle Declan,” Deck said, leaning close to my ear, the humor clear in his tone. I looked up at him. “Regrets?” he asked gently.

“None,” I replied, a smile splitting my face.

“I’ll walk you out,” he offered, holding open the door for Matty, Drea, and myself.

“Thank you,” Drea said, shifting so she was walking next to me. She leaned in a little, talking quietly, but still loudly enough for all of our small group to hear. “I told Matty on the drive in, but I didn’t want to make a fuss on your proposal day.” She grinned. “I’m pregnant.”

“Seriously?” I asked. “Congratulations!” I stopped in my tracks, throwing my arms around her in an unusual display of emotion. This night had me very emotional, it would seem.

She laughed, looking at Matty. “See, that’s a much better reaction.” Her gaze swung back in my direction. “Matty’s first question was if it was on purpose this time.”

Matty laughed loudly enough that none of us could help but join in. “It was a joke,” she choked out between giggles.

Declan was staring at the three of us as we tried to regain our composure and lost it all over again. “Are you three okay? I can drive you back to Matty’s. I don’t want you wandering the streets if you’re drunk.”

Catching her breath, Matty was still grinning as she lasered in on Deck. The slight bob of her chin was the only giveaway that she probably was a little drunk, but not many people would’ve recognized it. “You worry too much. Didn’t you hear we have our very own Designated Drea? We solemnly swear to take care of your fiancée .” Matty’s eyes sparkled. “But I’m definitely getting her drunk enough to finally tell me all about your AOE.”

My eyes went wide and Drea exclaimed “Oh my God, are you still talking about AOE?”

At the same time Declan said, “What’s an AOE?” And the entire thing made the three of us lose control laughing once more, this time as Declan shuffled us out of the building. “Give me your phone, I’m ordering you an über,” he said as we stood on the sidewalk, still trying to stop laughing. “I don’t trust you all to take two trains back to Matty’s.” He rolled his eyes dramatically, but a smile tipped his lips.

He ordered the car and handed me back the phone, leaning in closer. “You’re going to be good?” he asked.

“I’m going to be great,” I replied. “Thank you for tonight. For calling Drea to fly in, for the party, for setting up the sleepover—everything.”

He pushed my hair behind one ear. “A lot of that was Matty,” he admitted, “but I love to make you happy, Han. Thanks for saying yes to being my wife. ”

I glanced down at the ring, grinning stupidly. “Thanks for asking.”

He kissed me. It was a gentle kiss, not at all rushed, the kiss of two people who had forever. Our lips parted and we stood, eyes still closed, breath fanning each others’ faces. “Hey, Han?”

“Hmm,” I answered.

“What’s an AOE?”

I peeked out of one eye to find his green eyes open and curious. I could vividly remember the first time Matty had brought up her Average Orgasms Expected statistic almost two years ago, and I never could’ve imagined standing here, having Declan Andrews ask about it. The absurdity of it nearly sent me into hysterical laughter again, a sure sign I was a little more tipsy than I’d thought.

“I’ll tell you later,” I replied, kissing his neck gently. “But don’t worry, you’ve got great stats.” I gave him one more kiss, this time leaving him with a confused frown .

“Bye, Deck,” Matty sang cheerily. “Hope your AOE’s not less than one,” she added.

I elbowed her in the ribs. “It’s not less than one.”

“Ha!” she declared triumphantly. “I’ve already gotten her to spill!”

Declan shook his head, smiling as he turned away and walked toward the train, and Matty, Drea, and I dissolved into giggles again, leaning on each other and holding our stomachs as we waited for our ride and tried to catch our breath.