Once she was out of sight, Ryann pulled her hand from Maddie’s and sat down, taking a moment to remove her outer garments and her gloves. She was rattled, both from the conversation in the car and Maddie’s behavior here in the shop.

Maddie rolled her eyes and sat down next to her. “Boy, oh, boyo. You sure know how to have a good time.”

Ryann glared at her. “I don’t understand the point. And the ‘pretend’ isn’t even a good idea. I mean, at the very least, Brenda will figure it out once we pay for everything. And if not then, she will once she delivers the flowers to Jai and Stuart’s venues.”

“And? So we’ll get caught. Who cares?”

“I do!”

“Clearly.”

They lapsed into a tense silence again, Ryann almost fuming. Something about this entire situation with Maddie was tearing at every defense she had. Normally cool and collected, she’d been angrier with this perfect stranger than she had with almost anyone, and it had happened several times in less than twenty-four hours.

Still, she thought, risking a quick glance at her, they had to work together. She might be able to lessen their contact with some careful dodges over the next week or so, but she couldn’t completely avoid her, either. She was going to have to make the best of this weirdness between them.

“Listen,” she said, touching Maddie’s sleeve. “I’m sorry. You’re right. It doesn’t matter at all. We can pretend, if that’s what you want.”

Maddie perked up at once, her face lighting up. “Really? You don’t mind?”

She still didn’t see the purpose of the make-believe, but Maddie seemed really happy with the idea. It didn’t seem to have any malice behind it, anyway. And really, what difference did it make?

“No. I guess not. It could be fun.”

If Maddie detected the lie or her reluctance, she didn’t let on.

“Great!” Maddie said. “I have this theory that we’ll be treated better if people think we’re a couple. Let’s see if I’m right.”

“Really? Even though we’re…” She gestured between them.

“What?”

“Two women?”

Maddie’s brows lowered. “What do you mean?”

She laughed. “I mean, don’t you think some people might treat us worse if they think we’re a couple? A lesbian couple, I mean?”

Maddie was about to reply, but they heard Brenda coming their way again and froze. Ryann took Maddie’s hand almost unconsciously, and Maddie squeezed her fingers just as Brenda walked into the room holding two steaming mugs. She smiled at the sight of them and set the drinks down before sitting across the table from them.

“Did you get a chance to look at any of this?” Brenda asked, indicating the swatches and the binders.

“No,” Maddie said. “We weren’t sure if we should wait for you.”