"Let's make a tour and see what we find from my list," Summer suggests.
The flower market is loud and busy: vendors pulling you aside, trying to sell their merchandise; buyers questioning and negotiating. Summer keeps her list close, checking off the items she finds.
"How's the gallery?" Daniel asks her.
"We have a new Picasso collection this month. Attracting quite the crowd."
Daniel raises his eyebrows, clearly picking up something's wrong. Usually, when Summer talks about the gallery, she goes on forever. I don't think Alice clued him in, though.
"Can I ask you two something? And you'll answer honestly?" Summer asks, standing straighter.
"Sure," Daniel answers.
"Do I give off non-dating vibes? I mean, is it something I do that makes men think, ‘oh, this one's just for fucking?'"
"What?" Daniel blinks. Yeah, Alice clearly didn't clue him in.
"Summer!"
"Sorry if the word "fucking" offends your brotherly ears, but I need some perspective."
Daniel and I exchange a look.
"Of course you don't give off any vibes-" Daniel begins, but Summer holds up her hand.
"I asked for the truth."
Well, since she asked.
"You wear your heart on your sleeve," I explain. "And you see everything through rose-colored glasses."
"So what you're saying is I should be bitter and mistrustful?" she asks, stricken.
"No, just...more careful."
"So it is my fault," she says miserably.
"What? No, I didn't mean that."
Daniel groans. "Fantastic job, Blake."
"Come on, help me out here." I place one hand on Summer's shoulder. "It's not your fault that a douchebag played you."
"Did you talk to Alice?" She narrows her eyes to slits.
I'm really winning this, but I give it a shot, though I can never lie to Summer. "No."
"Liar."
Daniel gestures with his head toward an empty space between two booths, and we move the party there because we're standing in everyone's way.
"Can someone fill me in?" Daniel asks. "I feel like I'm missing half the conversation."
"In a nutshell, my dating life's a joke."
"Just putting it out there, but if you give us his name and address, we'll happily deck him," I offer, only half-joking.
"You know, brotherly duty and all," Daniel adds.
She shakes her head. "You both sound like Logan!"
I theatrically clutch my heart.
"No need to insult us," Daniel adds, faking offense.
"So, no glaring signs that I'm unlovable?" she insists. To my shock, I realize she's serious.
"Summer Bennett, you're the most lovable person I know."
"You say that because I'm your sister."
"Obviously. But that doesn't make it less true."
Daniel nods. "If you need help vetoing any candidates in the future, I'm at your service."
"Your Logan impression is getting scarily accurate. Come on, let's get started with the shopping or I'll never be done with it."
Fifteen minutes later, the three of us head to her car, arms loaded. This is just the first round. Summer is barely halfway through the list.
"You're really going to wear us out, huh?" I ask on the way back to the market.
"Yep. That's why I asked you to come."
"Ah, and I thought it was just an excuse because you were missing us," Daniel says.
I scan the market again. Clara would love it here. Pity the market will close before she returns. Then an idea strikes me. If I can't bring Clara to the market, I can bring the market to Clara. Sort of. I can buy her...what? I don't know what her favorite flowers or plants are, but I know she likes them. She said something about wanting flowers on the balcony.
"Summer, do you know what plants or flowers Clara likes? She said she wants some for the balcony, but she didn't get around to buying any."
She cocks her head in my direction so fast I think I hear her neck give a little snap.
"You're buying her flowers? Oh, Blake, you're finally, finally on the right track." She pokes my chest over the heart area. "And of course I know what her favorites are. What kind of matchmaker would I be if I didn't? I've done my homework."
"Good, because I have a plan, and I need your help."
I miss Clara. I haven't realized how used I am to knowing she's next door. Somewhere at the back of my mind nags the thought that her condo building will be ready in a few weeks, but I ignore it, focusing on the now. And the now includes a truckload of flowers. I can't wait for Clara to return and see what I've been up to.