Flowers in Bloom (Book 2, The Clarke Trilogy)

By June Beyoki

#2 in The Clarke Trilogy. Clarke and Vince have been pretending to be in a relationship in order to keep Clarke's mother off her back. But they are running out of excuses to keep up appearances after her cousin's wedding turns into a disaster. Will Clarke decide to tell her mother the truth or will she realize that Vince's feelings may not be fake after all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: June Beyoki
• Release date: Aug 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311981271

June Beyoki

June Beyoki is a paralegal with a passion for romance. With her children almost grown up, she devotes her free time to reading, cooking and writing. She is often engrossed in romance novels and is always looking for more to immerse in.

Book preview

Flowers in Bloom

June Beyoki

Copyright 2015 June Beyoki

All rights reserved

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above author of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About June Beyoki

Acknowledgements

To Michael whom I cherish and love always,

and to my children, David and Crystal, who make life wonderful.

Prologue

Clarke and Vince have been pretending to be in a relationship in order to keep Clarke's mother off her back. But they are running out of excuses to keep up appearances after her cousin's wedding turns into a disaster.

Will Clarke decide to tell her mother the truth or will she realize that Vince's feelings may not be fake after all?

Chapter One

Clarke felt herself begin to sweat as she tried to run back and forth making orders on the phone and going through sketches and look books with her cousin Vanessa. Vanessa was tapping her freshly manicured nails on the counter impatiently as customers came in and out by the truckloads. The grand reopening had really picked up business, and the fact that now everyone knew they were taking care of Vanessa’s wedding which was the talk of the town.

Vanessa looked a lot different from what Clarke remembered. Clarke’s cousin used to be a shy, awkward girl who didn’t fit in with the rich crowd just like Clarke. Now, Vanessa resembled a super model with long lean limbs and long dark brown hair that looked much like Clarke’s mother and uncle. Vanessa’s makeup was done up like she was starring in Black Swan, and she had on a long silver dress like she was ready for a ball or banquet at any moment. Her maid of honor was the type whose nose constantly pointed in the air, and she acted bored whenever she was around people who she didn’t like. At that moment she was standing up against one of the displays and looking at her nails.

Clarke shook her head in frustration before pulling out another look book to show Vanessa. You know, we could go sit down in the back where it’s more comfortable. There would be fewer distractions from other customers, Clarke suggested. She watched as Vanessa looked back at the other girl like she was asking for permission, and the girl just shook her head without looking up.  Vanessa turned back to Clarke and shrugged.

I like being out here with all the flowers. I don’t really want to go sit in some stinky office. Besides, we need to get going from here to another errand for the wedding. We’re grabbing our shoes and doing a last minute dress fitting just to be sure everything’s ready. Can we just get this done? Vanessa asked the question with a whine. Clarke sighed, wanting to get done with it as well, but Vanessa didn’t seem to be happy with any of the options Clarke had presented her with.

Well, I’d be happy to get this done for you. Let’s just pick some arrangements or a theme, and I can make sure the orders are all put in so that everything will be ready for the big day, Clarke said with a nervous smile.

Look, Vanessa, can we just get going? Your cousin knows what the theme is and what color the wedding is, and I bet she can figure this out by herself. We’re going to be late if we don’t go now. Just trust that it’s going to be pretty and let’s move on. I still have a bachelorette party to plan, the maid of honor said, sounding annoyed. As much as Clarke didn’t like her, she was hoping that Vanessa would take the girl’s advice if only to give Clarke a moment of peace. It was too exhausting trying to run the shop and plan a wedding arrangement for someone who didn’t think anything was extravagant enough.

Vanessa looked back at her maid of honor and then at Clarke again. I guess she’s right. Just make it look good, cuz, okay? Clarke nodded and was about to assure Vanessa she’d find a way to give her the perfect day, but Vince walked into the shop just then with a smile spreading across his face. His dimples were digging in deep on either side of his mouth. She was somehow comforted by his familiar features, but then she watched in horror as Vanessa and her friend began to circle him like vultures. Wasn’t she getting married? She really shouldn’t have been looking at other guys that way.

Well, who is this? Is this the guy your mother keeps talking about, Clarke? Vanessa asked, practically cooing at Vince. Before Clarke could say anything, Vince held out his hand for the girls to shake.

I’m Vince, and who are you two lovely ladies. They giggled unabashedly at him, and Vanessa grabbed his hand to shake.

Strong hands, Vanessa commented with a wink. Clarke couldn’t believe her engaged cousin was flirting with her boyfriend, even if he was only pretending to be that. Too bad I’m getting married in a couple of days.

Oh, you must be Clarke’s cousin, then, Vince commented. You’ll make a lovely bride, he complimented with a wink before picking up her hand and giving it a light kiss. He was practically encouraging her. Clarke felt like she was about to pass out. She turned on her heel