Wildflower Wedding Read Online Free

It was just that simple.
    Wasn’t it?
    Besides, maybe a kiss from Drew would cause a heart-pounding, knee-popping reaction, right? Surely it would. Hopefully she’d find out.

2
    Sweet Fantasy
    R EESE STORMED INTO RIVER ROW PIZZA AND PUSHED through the double doors leading into the kitchen. He made a beeline for the Sub-Zero fridge and snagged a bottle of Budweiser. After a quick twist he tossed the cap into the trash with much more force than necessary and then took a long pull on the beer.
    His uncle looked up from where he was stirring a big pot of fragrant sauce. “Whoa there, hoss. Who shoved a burr up your butt? Surely not that cute little flower shop owner you’ve been daydreamin’ about ever since she called in her order.”
    â€œI haven’t been daydreaming about Gabby.” Reese took another swallow of beer. “I don’t
daydream,
damn it.” His language didn’t faze his uncle, who was part father figure but more like an older brother. In fact, with their dark Italian looks and similar build they were often mistaken for siblings. It wasn’t until after Uncle Tony’s divorce that threads of silver started showing up in his hair.
    â€œFantasize?”
    Reese shot his uncle a glare.
    â€œHey, man, I was just messin’ with ya.” Uncle Tony pulled the checkered dish towel from his shoulder and wiped his hands before coming around to lean his hips against a long stainless steel table. Angling his head toward the fridge, he said, “Grab me a beer and let’s talk about what’s eatin’ you.”
    Reese handed his uncle a bottle. “I’m sorry I was being such a dick.”
    â€œAh, don’t worry ’bout it.” He gave him a wave of his hand and then tipped back his bottle. “Now, talk ta me,” Uncle Tony urged in his typical Brooklyn no-nonsense get-to-the-point way.
    Reese lifted one shoulder. “I dunno. I’ve always had a thing for Gabby and she’s always blown me off, at least when we were teenagers. I mean, I get it. Well, I used to get it. I was trouble and she liked to stay out of it. Never got caught drinkin’ or smokin’, got good grades, you know, the whole nine yards.”
    â€œReese, you turned that corner a long time ago.” Uncle Tony swung his arm in an arc. “Does she know you’re part owner? Graduated from college with honors?”
    â€œShe thinks I’m a pizza delivery dude. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
    Tony’s eyebrows shot up. “And you didn’t set her straight?”
    Reese finished the beer and tossed the bottle in the trash. It landed with a
thunk
. “I tried but this douche bag came walking into the flower shop. He’s the damn mayor or some such shit and Gabby was falling all over herself trying to impress him.”
    â€œDrew Gibbons?”
    Reese grabbed another beer from the fridge. “Yeah, him. He wants her on some committee or something. Wanted to take her to some fancy-ass dinner. Thumbed his nose at the pizza.”
    Tony snorted.
    â€œWhat? You know him?”
    â€œI know of him.”
    â€œGo on.”
    â€œWell, apparently there’s been a lot of new development in Cricket Creek over the years.”
    â€œDamn, tell me about it.”
    â€œI’ve seen even more since I’ve been here getting the pizza parlor ready for business. Anyway, so . . . back to Drew. I had to go to council meetings to get approval for different stuff, and of course as mayor Drew presided over the boring-ass meetings. Restaurant Row where we’re at is the second phase of this shopping mall. The first was Wedding Row where Gabby’s Flower Power, the jewelry store, the bridal and tux shop, the bakery, and all of that stuff is located. The recent addition of River Row Pizza and Pasta is just the beginning of phase two.” He held up two fingers to demonstrate. “Several other