Delaney Diamond's Blog, page 10

The Flower Shop: Episode 7

Time for another episode of The Flower Shop! This is the boom chicka wow wow episode. Because of the content, you’ll have to click page 2 to get to the text.

Synopsis: When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

Their mouths crashed together in the bedroom, heat and desire fueling their hungry kisses. Eager to reconnect and be made whole again, Rhonda kissed Peter with a sense of urgency, as if she’d never have the chance for another thirteen years. 

“Peter,” she said softly. Pain and longing poured from her with the whisper of his name. 

“I’m here.” 

He slipped the robe from her shoulders and pulled the nightshirt over her head. The entire time he continued to stroke and caress, his hands leaving goosebumps in the wake of each stroke. 

The Flower Shop: Episode 6

Time for another episode of The Flower Shop! Find out what happens after Peter’s epiphany, when he returns to Rhonda’s house.

Synopsis: When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

You were my life! 

Peter’s words cut through Rhonda as she prepared for bed. She had seen pain and regret in his eyes, as well as disappointment. 

Looking back, she’d screwed up. She and Peter had missed out on years together because she hadn’t been brave enough to stand up to his grandfather and her mother. 

Truth be told, she’d been scared. Scared they were right. That Peter would come to resent her, perhaps hate her. That she hadn’t been enough to justify him making such a major life change as leaving school. At the time, her decision seemed like the lesser of two evils, but now she wasn’t so sure. His vehemence about his feelings made her doubt and wobble under the crushing blow of regret. 

Rhonda slipped under the covers and closed her eyes. 

There was nothing she could do about her actions now. She couldn’t go back in time and turn down her mother and Mr. Ross’s request. 

The door bell rang, and her eyes popped open. Who could be at her door at this time of night? Frowning, she rolled onto her back and waited to hear if the doorbell rang a second time. Once again, the gentle chime sprinkled sound throughout the house, and Rhonda sat up. 

Could it be Peter? Did he come back?

She scrambled from the bed and slipped her arms through a satin robe to cover the short nightshirt she’d worn to bed. The doorbell went off again as she rushed out of the room and down the hall. At the door, she peered through the sidelite on the left and saw the unmistakeable shape of Peter standing on the porch in the darkness. 

Heart racing, she unlatched the door. “Hi.”

“Hi. Do you mind if I come in? I have something I need to say to you.” 

“Sure.” Rhonda let him in and then led the way to the small living room. She flicked on a lamp and faced Peter. 

He froze when he saw her in the light, and she realized what she must look like, standing there in her satin robe molded over her breasts and curves. The heat of his gaze practically seared her skin, and she self-consciously tightened the knot in the belt. 

“You have something to say?” she queried.  

Her question shook him from his daze, and he lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Yes, I did. I drove to the hardware store and sat in the parking lot, thinking about what you said and how I behaved. I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

“I gave you shocking information you weren’t aware of before. It’s understandable that you were upset.”

A rueful smile quirked the right corner of his mouth. “True, I was upset. At Gramps, at Miss Dee, at you, and at me. I shouldn’t have given up on us so easily, and I shouldn’t have stayed away so long. Over the years, there were times I considered coming back to see you, to fix what had happened between us. Every time, I chickened out, and I wish I hadn’t. I wish I hadn’t take a job I wasn’t even sure I wanted. You know why I stayed in New York? And believe me, it’s hard for me to admit. I’m not sure I even realized it until I saw you the other day. I stayed there because coming back meant I might see you, and I didn’t want to see you. I didn’t want to see you and face that we were over. Face that maybe you had someone else. So I… stayed away.”

His confession caused a tightening in her chest and confirmed her belief that he’d loved her as much as she loved him. He didn’t stay away because he was glad—relieved—to be free of her, as she’d originally thought. 

“A few years after we split, I thought about reaching out to see how you were doing,” Rhonda confessed. “See if maybe you still cared a little bit about me. I wanted to come see you.”

Peter’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Why didn’t you?”

She blinked rapidly, the enormity of her emotions making her teary-eyed. “Mom found out she had MS, and no matter what I had hoped about us, I couldn’t leave her then. She needed me, and I had to take over the flower shop so we’d continue to have income coming in. Not only for her medical bills, but so her last days would be comfortable.” 

Peter nodded his head slowly in understanding. “And were they? Comfortable?”

Rhonda nodded, smiling. “Yeah. I’d like to think that was because of me. I made her happy, I made sure she was comfortable, and that was important to me.” 

“Rhonda, I’m so sorry.” He came closer and took one of her hands in both of his. 

Her eyes were instantly drawn to his mouth, and she wondered if his kisses were the same—as sweet and drugging as honey.

“You’re too good. Your heart is too big, you know that?” he asked.

She swallowed the lump of pain lodged in her throat. “I don’t need your pity. My mother and I… we had a good relationship, and I’m proud that I was able to help her in her last days, and I’m proud of what I was able to do with the store she loved.” 

Peter’s thumb moved in a slow back and forth stroke across the back of her hand, and the gentle action soothed her inner turmoil. She never wanted him to stop touching her.

“When I came back and walked into the flower shop, I expected to see Miss Dee. Instead I saw you, and everything changed in that moment. I didn’t expect you to be here. I assumed you’d moved away and was maybe married with a kid or two.”

He linked their hands together, intertwining their fingers—light and dark, side by side like piano keys. 

“I thought the same about you. I figured you’d have a wife and a couple of kids by now—or at least making plans in that direction.”

“I guess we were both wrong,” Peter said. 

“I guess so.” 

They fell silent, and only the ticking clock on the mantel could be heard. 

“I better go. You said you have two weddings tomorrow.”

“I do.” She tried not to let disappointment overcome her.

His thumb moved against hers. “Just so you know, I don’t blame you, Rhonda.”

“Thanks. I needed to hear that.”

They walked to the door, hands remaining linked as naturally as if the years apart had never existed. 

At the front door, Rhonda said, “Good night,” and tried to pull away her hand.

Peter tightened his grasp, and her heart jumped in her chest. When he looked into her eyes, she saw how much he hungered for her and feared she’d be consumed by the hunger she felt for him. 

“Is it too late for us?” he asked. 

Rhonda opened and closed her mouth. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know how to answer his question. 

“Rhonda.” He whispered her name in a strangled voice. 

Time slowed, but her heart rate went berserk. 

“I don’t want to leave,” he said.

“I don’t want you to leave,” she whispered. 

A flash of heat lit up his gray eyes, and then he tugged her against his chest. Her free hand went around his neck and drew his mouth down to hers. Rhonda strained on her toes, arching her body against his. The kiss was brutal, their lips meshing together as their tongues tangled around each other. 

Peter released her hand to lift her against the wall, his low grunt of pleasure matching the breathy moans coming from the base of her throat. She scraped her fingers through his hair, gyrating her hips a lusty, provocative dance of need. 

“I need you, Rhonda, I need you so much.” He spoke in a husky, pained voice against her neck. “Say yes. Tell me—”

“Yes!” she panted. 

That tiny three letter word contained the power of an atom bomb. 

Rhonda dropped to her feet, and Peter reached under her robe and shoved her panties past her hips. The entire time, they kissed and nipped at each other with a desperation born from years of deprivation. 

Rhonda stepped out of her underwear and, panting as if she’d just run a marathon, grabbed his hand. 

“This way,” she said, pulling him in the direction of the master bedroom.

_________

Only a few more episodes left. Come back next week for Episode 7!

The Flower Shop: Episode 5

Time for another episode of The Flower Shop! Young love is hard enough without outside interference. Let’s see how Peter reacts to Rhonda’s bombshell news from last week.

Synopsis: When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

Reeling from Rhonda’s words, Peter pushed to his feet and shoved the fingers of both hands through his hair. 

Gramps had come to Miss Dee? 

For a long time he’d carried around a crater sized hole in his chest thinking Rhonda didn’t love him, Wondering if he’d overreacted when she told him she wanted to break up. Thinking he should have said something different. He should have tried harder. Then there was the anger. Her tears. His tears later when the anger wore off and accepted they were done. 

All this time… and it was because of his grandfather’s interference?

Peter paced the width of the driveway. “You should have told me,” he said. 

Rhonda sat with her hands wrapped around her torso, head bent, as if trying to make herself as small as possible. In a low voice, she said, “Your grandfather wanted you to leave town and have the kind of life he never dared. He wanted better for you.”

Peter stopped moving. “That wasn’t his decision to make. I knew what was best for me.”

“My mother agreed with him. She told me that I shouldn’t hold you back, because then you’d resent me.”

There was a moment of silence between them as Peter stared at the top of her bent head. A band of crickets chirped an upbeat melody, in comically stark contrast to the gravity of the tension in the night air. 

“Why didn’t you tell me they came to you?” Peter asked in a hoarse voice.

She didn’t answer right away, and the seconds that ticked by took a lifetime. With her head bent, he couldn’t see her features because the soft curls of hair he’d longed to touch all night had fallen forward and shrouded her face on either side. 

Finally, she lifted her gaze. “Because then you’d do exactly what your grandfather didn’t want—stay. I didn’t want you to do that for me. Sacrifices had been made for you to go to college. How could I hold you back? I didn’t want that on my conscience. You deserved to explore and experience everything you wanted. I thought you might be happier in New York, instead of… here. I couldn’t risk taking that away from you.” 

Peter let out a harsh, abridged laugh. “I could have taken online classes. I could have gone to a school closer and cheaper. I could have gone to school later in life. You could have come with me, and we could have shared an apartment so you could go to school too.” 

Rhonda had received a scholarship for tuition but couldn’t afford the housing, fees, and other living expenses. 

“If we’d moved in together, that would have cut your housing in half,” Peter said. “It was an option I’d considered making to you, so we could be together. If we both got jobs, it would be tight but doable. I considered broaching the subject with you, but I worried about what you’d think about us living together. There were so many other options, Rhonda. Options that didn’t include cutting me off. We never got a chance to discuss any of them. You say you loved me, but—”

“I did!” She shot to her feet. “Don’t you dare question my feelings for you! I went along with what they said because I loved you and wanted the best for you.”

“So you and your mother and my grandfather conspired against me, to make the best decision for me?” he asked angrily.

“Conspired? You make the situation sound way worse than it was. That’s not what happened.”

“How else would you explain it? They orchestrated our breakup by coming to you, and you went along with their plans.” He jabbed a finger at her.

With a flash of anger, Rhonda said, “Oh please! You know what I think? I think they were right and you were relieved when I had that conversation with you, because our relationship ended that day. You never looked back. Hell, you barely stepped foot in Fountain Springs after that.”

“Bullshit. Don’t blame me for what happened. I was hurt because the woman I loved, the woman I’d contemplated a future with, told me she didn’t want to see me anymore. Told me we were better off apart because we were different people now with different wants and needs and futures. You told me it was better that we cut all contact. Do you remember any of that conversation? Huh? Because I remember every goddamn word you said to me like it was yesterday!”

“I was nineteen! What was I supposed to do? I thought they were right, and I wanted you to experience life away from here too.”

“You were my life!” he yelled. 

Peter took a deep breath and ran trembling fingers over his head, staring down at his feet, jaw clenched tight with emotion. He needed to calm down or pretty soon the neighbors would come running. 

Finally, he looked at Rhonda again. “You. You were my life. And every moment I spent away from you was torture,” he said in a strangled tone.

She glanced away and inhaled a deep breath. “I did what I was advised to do. I did what I thought was right,” she whispered. 

Peter felt gutted by the injustice of it all. So much time wasted, and now, to find out there had been interference from family members—on both sides.

“Well, you were wrong. You were wrong to listen to them. You were wrong to end us. You should have told me. If you’d told me, I would have told you not to listen to them, that we could make our own decisions about our lives and our love.”

Her throat moved in a tight swallow, and her eyes met his. She seemed drained of emotion, her face expressionless.

“I told you we should leave the past in the past, but you wanted to talk. Now you know the truth. Your beloved Gramps interfered in your love life. Yes, breaking up was difficult, but what happened wasn’t all bad. I was here when my mother needed me, and you found a job making a nice living, which allows you to live in New York and drive a late model BMW. Our breakup hurt, but some good did come out of it.” She released a tremulous breath. “I don’t want to talk anymore. I have two weddings tomorrow, and it’s getting late. I think… I think you should go.” 

The emotions whirling through Peter forced him to remain still. Rhonda stood above him on the steps, and he didn’t know what to say as he gazed up at her—a graceful, intelligent, beautiful soul. 

“Rhonda—” 

“Good night, Peter. You have the answers you wanted. ” Her voice came out low and thick. Then she turned and walked across the porch. 

He watched in silence as she unlocked the door, entered, and shut him out.

He didn’t move for the longest time. That crater in his heart had been patched for a while, but it reopened and hollowed out his chest.  

The porch light going out snapped him out of his trance. He blinked and looked around at the dark yard. The street lights cast shadows over the road, and a few of the houses had lights on in the windows. The sounds of crickets seemed louder in the darkness. As if they mocked him for standing there like a fool.

Peter dragged his feet to the car, but before he pulled out of the driveway, he took another long look at the dark windows of Rhonda’s house and sighed his discontent. 

He took off down the street, not fully aware of where he was going until he pulled in front of his grandfather’s old store, Ross & Son Hardware. The For Sale sign in the window contained the real estate agent’s name and number. 

How could his grandfather have done such a thing to him? They’d been so close that he’d shared his deep feelings for Rhonda and expressed his desire to leave school and return to Fountain Springs to be with her. His grandfather had violated his trust by using that information against him. 

He’d always been a big personality and a strong-willed man set in his ways, but not once had Peter ever considered he’d had a hand in the trajectory of his love life. Not once when he’d bared his soul to Gramps about the breakup did his grandfather give any indication he’d been the catalyst for the wrenching pain Peter endured. 

Instead, he’d simply advised Peter to concentrate on his classes and encouraged him to do big things to make the family proud. And he had, after a few weeks of faltering, when he couldn’t sleep or study or retain information. 

When it looked like he risked flunking out of school, Peter finally took his grandfather’s advice and buckled down. His grades improved. In the end, he graduated and went to work for one of the largest banks in New York. He had staff, an apartment in an upscale building, a late model car, and every so often dated some of the most interesting women in New York. 

Yet he was never really satisfied, because his heart wouldn’t let him forget his first love. 

“Goddamnit, Gramps!” Peter slammed the heel of his hand against the steering wheel over and over again until pain shot into his shoulder.

Breathing hard, he rested his forehead against the steering wheel and closed his eyes. 

As a teen, he’d never thought he deserved Rhonda, and with the ferocious intensity of young love had lived in fear of losing her and all the joy she brought to his life. When she told him she wanted to break up, he’d felt vindicated. He’d been right all along. The fear he’d held inside had become a reality. 

Now he knew the truth. She’d loved him and didn’t want to end their relationship. She’d been coerced into having that conversation with him. 

Peter lifted his head. The dark, empty hardware store looked back at him.

What was he doing here? 

He should be with Rhonda. He should apologize and tell her that he didn’t blame her for what happened. They were both young, and their elders’ interference had robbed them of precious time together. 

He backed out of the parking lot and sped down the road, back to Rhonda’s house. 

__________

Since Peter’s life turned out so well, was his grandfather right to interfere?

Only a few more episodes left. Come back next week for Episode 6!

Delaney Diamond Presents: An interview with Necole Ryse

In this episode, Lexi Roark interviews Necole Ryse about Key to Your Heart, a mystery novel. Key To Your Heart is a reality show whodunit that will leave you guessing until the very end! Find out how Necole knows so much about the behind-the-scenes aspects of reality TV production and which one of her books she suggests you start with first.

Books by Necole mentioned in this episode: The Legacy, Chocolate Covered Murder.

Other books mentioned in this episode: The Guest List by Lucy Foley, Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby, All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris. 

Use the icons to share this interview with a friend.If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of Key to Your Heart!

The Flower Shop: Episode 4

Time for another episode of The Flower Shop! This week’s episode is in TWO PARTS. When you get to the bottom, make sure you click the number 2 to go to the next page and read the rest. Let’s see what’s going on this week with Rhonda and Peter!

When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

Rhonda looked amazing.

Peter stared in open admiration as she stepped onto the porch and joined him. She wore a burgundy top that crossed over her breasts, tapered tan pants, and low-heeled sandals.

Strategically applied makeup highlighted her almond shaped eyes and elongated her lashes. Her skin was an even nutmeg-brown with a hint of color that emphasized her cheekbones, and her lips… well, they beckoned with an enticing shade of red that brought attention to their curvy fullness. 

As if that wasn’t enough, she damn near took his breath away when she smiled up at him. She looked so good he felt underdressed in the white shirt and jeans he wore, but his clothing options were limited since he hadn’t planned on going on any dates while in town.

“You look incredible,” Peter couldn’t help saying.

“Thank you,” she replied, fingers smoothing a strand of hair from her cheek. Her hair was still parted in the middle, but waves added volume and texture to the shiny strands framing her face. 

Rhonda turned and locked the door with her key, and Peter let his gaze drop to her waist, hips, and generous behind. He gulped. He used to find it hard to keep his hands off her, but now her more womanly figure would make it downright impossible. 

“Did you make a decision on where we’re going?” she asked.

“I decided not to do the typical thing and go to a restaurant for dinner. Thought we should have a little more fun.”

“Oh?” Curiosity filled her brown eyes.

“I thought we could go to Orchard Park. Miss Jean said they still have live music on Friday nights.” 

“They do.”

“Tonight’s musicians play R&B and soul. Is that okay with you?” Listening to local and visiting bands at Orchard Park used to be one of their favorite pastimes. 

“It’s okay with me, except… I thought I’d be getting dinner, so I didn’t eat anything.”

“You’re still getting dinner. I asked Miss Jean to pack a meal for us, and she was kind enough to provide a blanket that we can spread on the grass. We’ll just chill and relax and listen to music.” Like old times, he silently added. 

“You have everything all figured out,” Rhonda said, her voice teasing.

“Always.” He smiled at her. 

“I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m the one whose father was in the military and should have been the one scheduling events with military precision, but you were always good about planning activities for us. And did not like when I was running late.” 

Peter chuckled, pleased she had remembered the care he took in putting together itineraries for each date. He wanted her to enjoy the moments and not have to worry about anything. 

“Would you believe I’ve gotten worse? My staff at the bank hates me.” 

“You don’t say. I’m shocked.” She laughed as they walked down the porch steps.

Peter took her hand in his, and she looked up at him in surprise but didn’t pull away. Her hands were soft, and immediately heat suffused his palm and wound its way up his entire arm. He rubbed his thumb along hers, chest tightening as he gazed down at her, and regret hit him hard with full force. 

He shouldn’t have let anger keep them apart. 

No one had compared to Rhonda in all these years. Few women understood his quirky sense of humor or his rigid need to always be on time and stick to schedules. Maybe after they talked tonight, something new could start between them. He certainly hoped so.

Peter guided her to his midnight blue BMW parked in the driveway. After she settled in the seat, he went around to the driver side and backed into the street. 

The park was only six minutes from Rhonda’s house, and when they arrived, Peter parked on the street. He removed the picnic basket from the backseat and clutched the rolled blanket under one arm. Walking side-by-side, they stepped onto the grass and made their way to the gazebo, where a small band was setting up. As they trudged across the grass, all around them were townsfolk. Some on blankets with pillows and food. Others brought folding tables and chairs and sipped wine as if they were in a fine dining restaurant. 

“Peter Ross, is that you?” a former male teacher asked with a wide grin.

“It’s me.” 

They paused to chat, and at the end of the conversation, the teacher said, “Good to see you, son. Keep him out of trouble, Rhonda.”

“I will,” she said with a laugh. 

They were interrupted two more times before they found a spot in the grass to settle. 

Peter used to hate living in a community where faces were always familiar and everyone knew your business. The anonymity of living in a big city where no one paid attention to you had been appealing. But right now, greeting people—even if he couldn’t remember their names—was a welcome difference from Manhattan. There, he seldom saw the same people, even in the building where he worked, and smiling at strangers made your a weirdo. In Fountain Springs, people didn’t have to know your name to be friendly.

“Is that Linda over there?” Peter asked once they were seated on the blanket with the basket between them. 

Rhonda nodded. “Sure is.”

“Who’s the guy with her?” He started taking out the dishes covered with foil.

“That’s Jason, her husband.”

Peter frowned. “What happened to the other guy… uh, what was his name?”

“Taylor. They got divorced, he moved to another town, and then she married Jason.”

“Thought they’d be together forever.”

“So did everyone else. She has a couple of kids—one with Taylor and two with Jason.” 

“I don’t recognize Jason.” His eyes lingered on the other man.

“He didn’t go to school with us. He grew up in Dorchester.”

“Oh.”

Much of the conversation continued like that as the band warmed up. Rhonda caught him up on the local gossip and news, and he was happy for the distraction. In all honesty he wasn’t ready to delve into the more serious conversation they needed to have. He liked to think of this moment as the warm up—the prequel before the piping hot conversation got started.

The food Miss Jean prepared was delicious. Using her homemade meatloaf, she made meatloaf sandwiches on thick bread. She also packed potato salad, whole fruit for snacking, delicious iced tea, and raspberry crumb bars for dessert.

“This is so good,” Rhonda said. She sat with her legs curled beside her, the plate on the blanket. She spiked a potato chunk with her fork and placed it in her mouth. “Mmm.” 

“I’ve been getting spoiled at her place,” Peter said, before biting into his sandwich.

“You haven’t learned to cook yet?” Rhonda asked, amusement lighting up her eyes.

Damn, she was gorgeous.

With a rueful smile, Peter shook his head. “I spend a shitload on takeout.” 

“Sometimes I eat Sunday dinner at the bed-and-breakfast,” Rhonda admitted. 

“You used to love to cook. You don’t cook anymore?” 

“I do, but you know, cooking for one isn’t always practical, and eating alone isn’t as enjoyable as sitting around the table at Miss Jean’s and chatting with her guests.”

The thought of Rhonda sitting in her house, eating alone, didn’t sit well with Peter. She should have company. Every night.

“You’re not dating anyone?” He asked the question with trepidation and waited anxiously for her answer. 

She gave him a one shoulder shrug. “I’ve dated, but I’m currently going through a dry spell.” She dropped her gaze and picked up her sandwich. “What about you?” 

“Same. Can’t seem to get a handle on the dating scene. The women… I don’t know. They don’t work out for various reasons.”

Silence settled between them, but the constant chatter of people nearby drifted on the air. 

“Do you always find something wrong with them, that makes the relationship not worth the effort?” Rhonda spoke quietly. 

Peter nodded slowly, never taking his eyes from her face. “Something like that. There’s always something missing or something there’s never quite enough. As if…”

She lifted her gaze to his. “As if they don’t…  measure up?” Her question ended on a whisper, as if she were afraid to ask the question.

“Yeah. That’s exactly it,” Peter answered.

Rhonda lifted the plastic cup to her lips and sipped her iced tea. He could watch her all night—eat, drink, talk, smile. Everything she did was attention-getting.

“Hellooooo, Fountain Springs!” 

The lead singer of the band yelled into the microphone, and Peter reluctantly shifted his attention to the gazebo. 

“Hello!” the crowd yelled back. Scattered claps and cheers filled the air. 

In the past, Peter and Rhonda used to sit much closer, with nothing between them, and eventually he would slip an arm around her, and she’d settle against him. Other times, she’d lean back on her hands, and he’d rest his head on her lap. Then she’d trace his eyebrows and play in his hair, her fingers gentle and loving.

Peter missed that. He wanted her touch again. Her kisses. The warm softness of her body pressed against his. Instead, he sat quietly beside Rhonda as he ate and listened to the band play. 

Not close enough to put an arm around her and draw her against him, but close enough to smell her perfume. For now, that was enough, because for the first time in a long time, he was utterly and completely content.

The Flower Shop: Episode 3

Time for another episode of The Flower Shop! Let’s see what’s going on this week with our couple. *rubs hands together*

When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

You can’t spare a little time for the man you used to love?

Peter had to know that question was unfair, shooting straight to her heart and making her feel like she was overreacting—because he was right. Rhonda had loved him once—maybe still loved him on some level after all these years. What they’d shared had seemed like a once in a lifetime love—all consuming at the time. 

She’d been adamant she didn’t want a boyfriend and wanted to focus on her school work, but Peter had been relentless. He convinced her to be his girlfriend with a laid back smile and persistence. Here he was again… persisting. 

Truth be told, she wanted that conversation too and needed the closure it would provide. Their relationship had ended so abruptly.

 “I can spare a little time,” she said slowly.

Now that she had agreed, a bit of relief filled her chest, and the apprehension from running into him eased somewhat. This was Peter, after all. She didn’t hate him, and they had history. Good history, for the most part.

A faint smile touched his lips, and his eyes softened, causing her skin to heat. Whenever he used to look at her like that, she’d smile into his eyes and let her fingers feather through his hair, lean in and nuzzle his hard jaw before pressing her lips to his to enjoy the texture of his soft mouth. 

He shouldn’t still be able to make her feel giddy, yet her body’s reaction was the same. An excited flush coated her skin, and her pulse rate kicked up several notches. 

“I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised you agreed,” he said.

“That makes two of us,” Rhonda said in a low tone, and the smile on his face broadened. 

“In that case, I better lock you down before you change your mind. Let’s see…” His brow furrowed before his eyes lit up with an idea. “How about dinner at that little restaurant on Forester Avenue, you know the one that—”

Rhonda shook her head. “It closed a while back. The space was leased a few months ago for another restaurant, but it won’t open for another four or five months.”

Peter swore softly. 

“A lot has changed since you moved away,” Rhonda said pointedly.

He frowned. “Seems that way.”

“I could pick a place,” Rhonda offered.

That would probably be easier since he was practically a stranger. He’d only been back twice that she knew of, and they hadn’t seen each other any of those times. Once his father moved away, his grandfather was his only tie to the town, and that hadn’t been enough to bring him back for regular visits. 

He shook his head. “No, I invited you out, and I’m going to make the plans. I can come by to pick you up around seven.”

“Are you sure?” 

“Positive,” he said with determination.

“Okay.” Way too much anticipation swelled in her chest, but she maintained an outwardly calm exterior, playing it cool and keeping her voice neutral. 

The seven o’clock meeting time gave her a couple of hours after the shop closed to get ready. She’d have just enough time to do something with her hair, paint her nails, and dig into her closet for a nice outfit. Something cute that didn’t show she was trying too hard. 

“Where do you live?” Peter asked.

“Same place. Mom left me the house.” 

“You live in the same place,” he said slowly, and she knew what he was thinking. 

He was thinking what she was thinking. So many memories in that house. Not only memories of her family, but memories about her and Peter. 

Memories of all the times she sneaked out to see him, or the times he climbed through the window into her room, and she prayed her mother didn’t pop in and catch them. Memories of all the times he’d come over and eat dinner with them, and later they’d sit on the porch and talk for hours, well into the night, until her mother called her in because she had school the next day. 

That’s where he picked her up for their dates, and after he left for college, it was the first place he stopped when he returned to town. 

So many memories…

“I know where to come get you then,” Peter said. “You’re not going to bail on me, are you?” He was half-joking, but she caught the concern in his voice.

“No, Peter, I won’t. To be honest, I don’t want to dredge up the past, but… we both said things we shouldn’t have when we split, and… I think we need to clear the air. We’re adults and should be able to talk openly and honestly.” 

“I agree.” He studied her for a moment. “All right then. I’ll see you at seven.”

“See you later,” Rhonda said. 

Peter backed away, a faint smile on his lips, before he turned and walked up the street toward the bed-and-breakfast, his stride long and sure, the jeans hugging his thick thighs and cradling his firm behind. He climbed into his car at the curb, and Rhonda climbed into her van, watching in her rear view mirror as his car disappeared around the bend.

When she returned to the shop, Bryn was cutting and arranging flowers to freshen up the window display. 

“Hey, boss lady,” the redhead said. “We received a big order from the hotel again.” Amusement filled her voice. 

Rhonda sighed and shook her head, which made Bryn burst out laughing. 

“He’s not giving up,” Bryn said, snipping some greenery to add to the bouquet she was working on.

“Apparently not,” Rhonda muttered. 

She’d gone out twice with Shane Weathers, the manager of the Fountain Springs Hotel. While she’d had a good time, they had zero chemistry. When he invited her out for a third date, she’d declined his invitation. 

Instead of giving up, he resorted to ordering elaborate arrangements for the hotel. One for the front lobby, and one for the tables across from the elevators on each of the five floors. 

“I’m sending you to do the delivery and arrangements this time,” Rhonda told Bryn, setting down her clipboard and slipping her apron around her neck. 

“Oh come on, you know he doesn’t want to see me.”

“Well, that’s who he’ll see this time.”

“You’re going to give up all that money? The man orders six arrangements.” Bryn rested a hand on her hip.

“I’m not going to lead him on to keep his business. Unlike you, I have a conscience,” Rhonda said playfully. 

Bryn rolled her eyes and resumed her work.

“I’ll be in the back prepping for the weddings. Holler if you need me.”

“Will do,” Bryn said over her shoulder. 

There were two weddings this weekend that they had to prepare for, which meant getting vases and ribbons and preparing the boutonnieres and corsages, among many other tasks. 

Fortunately, they were on schedule. Rhonda adhered to a rigid schedule, which kept the operations on track and running smoothly. She’d learned to be a florist from her mother, but she’d learned the skill of organization from her father before he passed. 

Former military, he didn’t believe in wasting time and drilled in her head the importance of efficiency. Both her parents would be proud to see how she’d grown the business her mother started. 

“You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, baby girl,” her father used to say. 

His constant praise had been the catalyst for her high performance in school, and had she been able to attend college, she knew she would have excelled there too. But college hadn’t been in the cards for her. 

Rhonda set buckets, flowers, and all her tools on the long, wooden work table. She placed a large, lined trash can beside her and then went to work. 

As she tore off leaves and trimmed stems, the scent of the flowers wafted up into her nostrils, and her mind wandered to Peter. Right now, she was calm, but as seven o’clock drew near, she knew she’d become nervous. 

First, because she was ridiculously, painfully excited about spending time with him. He was as handsome as ever but had a calm maturity that his younger self didn’t possess. The intensity remained, but he seemed to be reigning it in, as if he didn’t want to come on too strong and scare her away. 

A deep-seated ache filled her, a long-buried feeling she’d assumed would never return, but all her old feelings came back with a vengeance, and she ached to spend an hour or however long he’d give her, soaking up all the information she could about him. She wanted to know everything about his job and his life in New York. Did he still have the same sense of humor, or had he become more serious? Which parts of him were the same, and which parts were different? Was he the same Peter she’d fallen in love with? Would he care if she flung her arms around him and buried her face in his neck one last time?

Rhonda laughed out loud. “That won’t happen.” She chunked bruised flowers in the trash. 

The second reason she would become nervous was because she and Peter were going to talk about the past, which meant discussing their final argument. Rhonda stopped working and dropped her hands to the table. She stared at the flowers before her. 

If tonight was about closure and discussing what happened, then she needed to be completely honest with Peter. Could she do it?

Could she tell him the real reason she’d broken up with him thirteen years ago?

_________

So much yummy yearning. Come back next week for Episode 4!

The Flower Shop: Episode 2

I got the idea for The Flower Shop the other day and decided to write another short for my Free Reads page. Each Monday I’ll drop a new episode. At the moment I have no idea where this story is going, so come along for the ride!

When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

Peter wiped his mouth and dropped the napkin on the table. Patting his stomach, he said, “That was delicious.”

Miss Jean, owner of the bed-and-breakfast, smiled with satisfaction as she poured coffee in the cups of the two other guests at the table—a couple passing through for a few days on their way to Canada.

“There’s more if you like,” Miss Jean said.

An older woman with a head full of white hair, she moved slower than she used to but still had quite a bit of energy. She needed that energy to keep running the bed-and-breakfast she’d owned ever since Peter was a kid. Her daughter and son-in-law worked with her and were expected to take over when she retired, but she didn’t appear to be retiring soon.

Peter patted his stomach again, full of bacon, pancakes, and eggs. “I’m good. Need to get moving if I want to meet the contractors on time.”

His grandfather’s hardware store contained a large inventory of supplies and merchandise, which he would include in the sale of the property, but the building itself needed work. He and the real estate agent did a walk-through the day before yesterday and discovered spots that needed repairs since the place had been left unattended for almost two years while Peter’s father decided what he wanted to do. To facilitate a faster sale, the agent suggested fixing the problem areas before he put the place on the market. 

Peter believed selling was the right decision, but part of him remained nostalgic about the business. Long before he was old enough to work at the store, he used to accompany his grandfather and play behind the counter, sometimes driving the elder Ross nuts with his mischievous activities. When he was old enough, he worked at the store after school and on weekends. Nothing like the work he did in banking nowadays. Nonetheless, they were good times.

His mouth twisted into a rueful smile as he pushed back from the table. “I’ll see you later, Miss Jean.” He nodded at the couple and moved toward the door.

He couldn’t pass out the dining room without seeing the flowers he had purchased at Dee’s Flower Shop days before. Miss Jean displayed them on the sideboard in a white vase, resulting in a constant reminder of the woman he had bought them from.

Rhonda hadn’t left Fountain Springs. What a shock. He had assumed she’d moved by now. He moved away and after a couple of years stopped inquiring about her. Knowing she was within reach but unreachable had been unbearable. Better that he salvage his sanity instead of crawling back to a woman who made it clear she no longer wanted him.  

He jogged down the steps from the front porch and paused in the walkway bisecting the front lawn. Across the street and down a ways, the van for Dee’s Flower Shop was parked in front of the dentist’s office, a large building housing a husband-and-wife dental team and their staff.

His chest tightened. He should get in his car, parked at the corner, but he hadn’t seen Rhonda since that first day when he arrived in town. The tightness in his chest blossomed into pain at the thought of simply going about his business and not taking advantage of the chance to see her.

Without another thought, he crossed the street and went to stand beside the van, out of sight of anyone exiting the dentist’s office.

He glanced at his watch. He couldn’t wait long or he’d be late for the contractors, but—

The sound of laughter filled his ears.

Her laughter.

Then her voice. “I tell you what, send your husband to the shop, and I’ll make sure you get the arrangement you really want,” she said to someone inside the office.

A response came back, but he couldn’t understand what they said. Rhonda laughed again, and the pain in his chest twisted deeper, burrowing under his skin. Damn, how he’d missed her laugh. 

Some of his fondest memories were of spending time with Rhonda as they did nothing but laugh and enjoy each other’s company. They had the same twisted sense of humor and could watch the same movies over and over. He had lost track of how many times they’d watched  40-Year-Old Virgin. Countless times—enough to recite the dialogue while giggling uncontrollably. Then he remembered her crying laughing when they saw The Hangover, the last movie they’d watched together before they split. Seemed like ages ago.

Rhonda came around the van to the driver’s side, and his whole body tensed. She pulled up short when she saw him. She wasn’t wearing the florist apron today. That allowed him to clearly see the khaki pants that fit over her womanly curves, and a red shirt with Dee’s Flower Shop across her full breasts, the color flattering against her russet-brown skin. 

Her dark hair was parted in the middle and swept her shoulders, framing a face blessed with lovely lips and soul-searing dark brown eyes. He fought the urge to close the distance between them, thrust his fingers into her soft hair, and fasten his mouth to hers—kissing away the uneasiness that remained, while savoring the touch of her sweet lips. 

“I saw your van from across the street and thought I’d come over and say hi. You’re out early.” The awkwardness from the other day remained, but Peter was determined to power through this time.

Rhonda nodded, holding her clipboard against her chest. “I like to get the deliveries done first thing, whenever I can.”

She swallowed, and he guessed she didn’t want to see him. Maybe she had hoped they wouldn’t run into each other again. Too bad.

“Makes sense.” Peter hooked a thumb in the belt loop of his jeans. “Are you… are you doing anything later? Tonight, I mean.” 

Her eyes widened. “I—”

“Don’t lie, Rhonda.” 

She froze, clearly surprised he’d called her out. Then her shoulders slumped, and she glanced around as if expecting someone to rescue her, but the only movement in the area were a couple of cars driving by each other in opposite directions. 

She returned her gaze to him. “I think it’s best we steer clear of each other. You’re only here for a short time.” She pulled out her keys.

“Don’t you think you owe me?”

She frowned. “Owe you? I don’t owe you anything.” 

She opened the door, and Peter stepped closer. No way was he letting her get away.

“Look, this is awkward for me too. When we broke up, I said some things I shouldn’t have.” 

“You sure did.” She laughed bitterly. 

She didn’t face him, shoulders tight, her obvious discomfort forcing him to remain much farther away than he’d like, to avoid her rushing away. 

“We need to talk. About what happened.”

“Or.” She faced him, her soft mouth settled into a flat, mutinous line. “We could leave the past in the past. You’ll be gone soon, right? How long do you plan to stay here?”

“I’ll be in town for a couple of weeks to straighten out the situation with the store.”

“Then you’ll be gone.” Her voice quivered on the last word, and he heard the pain that for years had rested inside him whenever he thought about her and what he’d lost. “No need to dredge up bad feelings.”

Peter wanted to yell and shake her, but he forced himself to remain calm. Only by remaining calm could he appeal to her sense of kindness and maybe—just maybe—she’d give him a moment of her time. 

“We were in love once. You can’t spare a little time for the man you used to love?”

Her nostrils flared, and she dropped her gaze, tightening her hug on the clipboard. 

Peter stood still. He held his breath. 

And he awaited her answer. 

_________

Come back next week for Episode 3!

The Flower Shop: Episode 1

I’m writing a serial short! I got the idea for The Flower Shop the other day and decided to write another short for my Free Reads page. For the next five to six Mondays, I’ll drop a new episode. At the moment I have no idea where this story is going, so come along for the ride!

When Peter Ross returns to upstate New York, his plan is to sell his grandfather’s hardware store and return to life in the city. But a chance meeting with his old girlfriend Rhonda Jefferson makes him second guess his decision, and wonder about what could have been. 

Genre: Contemporary Interracial

Trope: Second chance

Heat level: Sensual

The bell on the front door chimed, signaling someone had entered Dee’s Flower Shop.

“I’ll be right there!” Rhonda called out.

Standing behind her seated assistant, she pointed at the computer screen. “Let’s increase the basket order by two dozen. Last month we ran out, and I don’t want that to happen again.”

“Got it,” her assistant, Bryn said.

Rhonda left her to finish placing the order and slipped out the back room. As it was near the end of the day, the store was empty of customers, except for the one who’d entered moments before. Wearing a dark suit, the man faced the floor display of bouquets.

Tucking her hands in her apron pockets, Rhonda said, “Those are on sale at thirty percent off.” 

The man turned, and her eyes widened in surprise. At the same time, recognition appeared in his gray eyes, which also widened. 

“Rhonda?” His eyebrows drew tight.

“Pete.” His name crossed her lips in little more than a whisper. 

Peter Ross, her old boyfriend. The man her young heart thought she’d marry. 

A wave of heat swallowed her as memories raced through her mind. Lying on a blanket in the middle of Orchard Park and holding hands during the free summer concert. Peter coming by on his bike and throwing rocks at her window. She then sneaked out for a late night make out session in the shadows of the house. 

He’d changed quite a bit since the last time they saw each other—thirteen years ago—his sophomore year in college, when she’d told him long distance couldn’t work between them. She told him he should concentrate on his college classes and all the new experiences coming his way. They’d argued, and she’d never heard from him again. In truth, she’d given up and refused to hold onto him, even though it killed her to let him go. 

“I thought you’d moved,” he said. 

She smiled, shaking her head. “Still here.” 

His gaze swept her from head to toe, and her skin tingled everywhere, nerves alert and alive. 

“You haven’t changed much.” 

That wasn’t entirely true. Rhonda had, of course, put on weight in the past thirteen years. She used to be reed thin. Nonetheless, she took the compliment in stride, yet wishing she’d known he would be here today. If she had, she would have styled her hair differently, instead of in a simple bun. Maybe put on a bit more makeup too. 

“Thank you. You’ve certainly changed. Very corporate.” She eyed his dark suit.

His style of dress wasn’t the only difference. His light brown hair used to be longer, curling around his ears and along the nape of his neck. Now it was cut short and neat, the wavy texture almost invisible because of the short length. The lanky body of his youth was gone, replaced by a broader frame. He seemed more serious and carried himself with the confident posture of a grown man. 

Peter shrugged. “Suits are required attire at work. I left early and drove all the way here for a meeting, nonstop.”

“That’s a three hour drive.” 

“Over three hours,” he replied. “The meeting was with a real estate agent.”

She’d heard there were plans to sell the old hardware store after Mr. Ross died. “The hardware store.” 

He nodded, confirming what she’d heard. “Yes. My grandfather left it for my father in his will, but Dad wasn’t interested in coming back here and managing the store.” He let out a deep breath, a frown creasing his brow as he looked off into the distance. “He’s been gone so long, and he’s comfortable with his new life in Montana. He asked me to take care of selling the place since I live closer.”

Shifting from one foot to the other, Rhonda asked, “So… once it’s sold, that’s it? All ties to Fountain Springs will be cut?” 

His gaze met hers. “Yes.”

She swallowed the emotion bubbling in her tightened throat. She hadn’t known he was coming back to sell the store. Ross & Son Hardware had been closed for a while, ever since Mr. Ross passed away. Local gossips swore the owner of the local pub intended to buy the business, but that turned out to be nothing but a rumor. Then a new rumor started, that Peter’s father was going to return from Montana and take the reins of his father’s business, but apparently that had been false, as well. 

The truth was manifested before her. Peter would take care of selling the hardware store. Then he was gone. 

“I don’t suppose you have a lot of prospects in Fountain Springs,” Rhonda said.

“I doubt it, but the agent will advertise to neighboring towns and across the country. He thinks the store is the perfect business for someone looking to quit the rat race and settle into small town life. Since the next closest hardware store is in the next town, he thinks we have a good chance of selling.” 

Rhonda straightened her spine. “Well, good luck to you.”

“Thank you.” Peter cleared his throat. “Is Miss Dee here?” He looked around, as if expecting her to appear from the back.

Rhonda shook her head, dipping her gaze for a brief moment. “Mom passed away a few years ago.”

“Shit. I didn’t know that.” 

“Of course you didn’t.” 

“I would have…” He moved, as if he wanted to reach for her, but when she winced, he halted, closing his hand into a fist and dropping it to his side. “I’m sorry about Miss Dee.” 

Rhonda didn’t want to talk about her mother. Her mother was the reason she’d remained in Fountain Springs after high school. She was the reason Rhonda had made the heart-wrenching decision to break off her relationship with Peter, and in her mind, set him free. 

She walked behind the glass counter and forced a smile to her face. “Where are my manners? This is a business. What brought you in here?” 

Peter didn’t answer right away. He seemed taken aback by the change in topic and wanted to continue the conversation, but then changed his mind and smiled back. “Looking for some flowers. I’m staying over at the bed and breakfast on Cranton.”

“Miss Jean’s place.”

“Yes. Can’t believe she’s still here.” He laughed. Then, as if he suddenly realized he’d put his foot in his mouth—after all, Rhonda was still here too—he cleared his throat and cast a glance to the flowers he’d been looking at when she came out the back. “You said that bouquet is on sale?”

“Yes. Thirty percent off.”

“I’ll take it.” 

“Great.” 

Rhonda prepared a fresh bouquet. They didn’t speak while she worked, but she felt Peter’s eyes on her the entire time. When she finished, she rang up the order, swiped his card, and handed it and the flowers to Peter. 

“I hope she enjoys them.” 

“I’m sure she will. It’s a beautiful bouquet.” Peter shoved his wallet in his pants pocket. “It was good to see you, Rhonda. I guess I’ll see you around town.” 

“Maybe.” 

A few seconds ticked by, and she had the impression again that he wanted to say something but then changed his mind. 

“Good night,” he said. 

He left the store, and the bell above the door chimed his exit. Rhonda locked up after him and then busied with closing procedures, cognizant of Peter backing out of the lot. She didn’t breathe easy until he pulled onto the roadway. 

In a small town like Fountain Springs, there was a good chance they’d run into each other again. 

She sincerely hoped they didn’t.

_________

Come back next week for Episode 2!

Delaney Diamond Presents: An interview with Taylor Love

Our second author interview is ready! This time Lexi Roark interviews Taylor Love, and the author shares her thoughts about Crashing in on Love, the first book in her Vacation Love series. Find out how she juggles writing with a full-time job, and which part of the story she struggled to write.

Use the icons to share this interview with a friend.If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of Crashing in on Love!

Delaney Diamond Presents: An interview about Ethan

I’m so excited to share this interview with you!

One of my goals this year was to interact more with you. That prompted me to redesign my website, incorporate more blogging, and create a Readers Lounge where we could have launch parties, discuss books by other authors, and invite those authors for an interview. Then I had the bright idea to record the interviews, and now I kinda sorta have a podcast. LOL.

The podcast is called Delaney Diamond Presents: An Author Chat. Every second Thursday of the month, we interview authors in the Lounge, and about four times a year (whenever I have a new release), I talk to readers about my current release. It’s all very relaxed and informal, like friends getting together for a quick chat, and although it’s done over Zoom, it’s strictly audio.

You should definitely attend live if you can. That way you can submit questions to be answered during the interview. But if you can’t attend, you can listen to the recording later.

The first interview was completed in February, and I was interviewed by Lexi Roark about my newest release, Ethan (Family Ties, Book 1). There were plenty of laughs, and I answered questions like What’s one of your favorite scenes in the book? and Which of your heroes would you date and absolutely not date? You have to hear the answers to those questions!

So the interview is below, and I hope you enjoy it.

Use the icons to share this interview with a friend. If you haven’t already, make sure you pick up a copy of Ethan !