Flower Shops - Morgan Wallen

9

"Wow, you really went all out." Taylor says, her hand on Kate's shoulder. "It looks great, Kay."

"Thanks, T." Kate responds, looking at the venue she booked for Morgan's album release party. "I think we're all set for Friday."

"What time?"

"Seven."

"I'll be here." Taylor gives her best friend a kiss to the cheek then heads out.

"Hey pretty lady." Riley says from behind her. "You did great! It look amazing, babe."

"Thanks." Katie chuckles, pushing her hair back. "Friday is gonna be so stressful."

"Why? Figured it's the day when people just show up." He drops an arm around her shoulders. "I wanna talk to you 'bout somethin'."

"Sure." Kate nods, letting Riley guide her to a more private area. "What's up?"

"I've been thinkin'- and I know there's probably a better time to do this but I can't stop thinking' about this." He licks his lips. "We've been datin' for a year and I think we should get married."

"Get- get married?"

"Yeah, why not? I love you, Katie."

"Can- can we talk about this later when I can give the conversation my full attention?"

"Sure. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yeah. Sounds good."

"Okay, I love you." He kisses her.

"Love you too." She mumbles back, letting him kiss her but not really kissing him back. He sighs as he walks away, leaving Kate alone in the venue with her thoughts.

+++

"Hey, you seen Katie?" Morgan asks Michael at his party a few days later.

"Uh," Michael looks around. "No, I haven't. Is she here?"

"I don't think so." He pushes his hands through his neatly combed hair. "Shit. She's missin' this party- her first album party. That's not cool." He digs his keys out of his pocket. "C'mon, let's go."

Morgan drives to Katie's house, worried out of his mind. This isn't like her. Not at all.

"That's her car, right?" Michael points at the SUV parked off to the side.

Morgan nods then hops out of his truck, heading to the front porch. He knocks on the door. "Katie?" There's no answer. "Katie!?" He says louder, knocking again.

He swears under his breath as he grabs her spare key from the light fixture above the doorbell. He lets himself in and starts looking around her house. Morgan heads to the back of the house while Michael checks the front.

He knocks on the slightly open bedroom door. "Kate?" He pops his head in. "Hey." He says when he sees a lump on the bed. "Katie?"

She doesn't respond.

Morgan sits behind her, his hand on her side and his chin on her arm. "Katie." She groans in response, pulling the pillow over her head. "Hey." He whispers, rubbing her back.