Welp, I’m about to burst his bubble. “I did find your number.” Hurt flashes across his face. I’m too freaked out right now to let him know I was considering calling him.
He takes a step back, putting distance between us. Ugh, I hate this. It’s why I don’t date anyone. I have my fun, and that’s it. Being the person who has to hurt someone else’s feelings isn’t something I take joy in.
“You won’t have to worry about me harassing you about a date if I’m working here,” he lifts his wrist to check the time, “I really need this job. The one thing you can count on is me coming in and doing the work needed. Besides, if I’m making deliveries, how often am I really going to see you?”
Why does he keep making valid points? “Fine. I get what you’re saying, and you’re right.” I take a deep breath and let it out, “the only time we’ll see each other often is if we need you to deliver to a wedding venue, and when you’re picking up orders.”
“So, no more talk about me not working here?”
“No,” I shove my hands in the pockets of my pants, “we’re both adults. I think we can handle being around each other even though we’ve had naked fun times.”
“Very adult way to put it,” he laughs. He walks across the small space, and I wonder if maybe he didn’t actually understand the conversation we just had. His arm brushes against mine as he reaches for the door handle. “I need to get to my job and put in my notice.”
“Oh.” Wait. Am I upset because he’s doing exactly what he said he would. “Okay. I guess you’ll be officially working here in the next couple of days?”
“Yep. Your brother has to check into a few things then I’ll be here.” He pulls open the door and heads out of the office.
Good. That gives me a few days to come to grips with whatever the hell it is I’m feeling. It’s a mix of disappointment and excitement. What the hell is happening to me?
“You realize this has the potential to blow up in your face, right?” Samantha grunts as she spins the wreath she’s working on around. It’s for a baby shower this weekend, and she’s not loving how she has the flowers placed.
“It’s not like I told him to apply for a job here.” I shrug.
“And you’re sure you didn’t say the name of the shop?” Emily asks. She’s working on an order, but I have no idea what it is.
“Positive.” They know damn well I keep things super casual. I don’t give anyone any actual details about my life. Though I don’t know why I offered up going to my apartment that night. It’s not something I usually do. Another way for me to build a barrier. There’s just something about Xander, and I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“Kai seems to be taking it pretty well.” Emily adds. Now she’s grabbing flowers in various colors. None of them go together. What in the world is she putting together?
“Yeah, he is.” Which is shocking to say the least. Especially after he figured out the connection between me and Xander. Normally it’s something he would have given his two cents about. But he must have seen my reaction when I walked into the office after the interview a few days ago.
Speaking of, my brother walks into the back and looks over our tables. I have a couple of bouquets I’m working on. A guy is wanting to surprise his wife with flowers at work and at home to celebrate her promotion. It’s a sweet gesture.
“What is that?” He points at the arrangement Emily is working on. “I’m not a professional like the rest of you, but even I can tell it’s a mess.”
Emily shrugs and continues adding flowers to the vase. “It’s what the client wanted. Apparently, all of these are the favorite colors of the girl he’s trying to impress. He was waiting by the front door when I got here this morning.”
“That’s…odd.” Kai runs a hand through his hair.
“Not really,” another flower goes in the vase, “he didn’t want to be late for school so I took his order before we technically opened.”
Ah, now it makes sense. “Are we supposed to deliver those to the high school?”
“No,” she shakes her head, “he doesn’t want to embarrass her. He asked me to deliver them to her house this afternoon.”
“More like he doesn’t want to get rejected in front of his classmates,” Kai smirks, “I remember that feeling all too well.”
“Like you ever got rejected by a girl,” Samantha laughs and rolls her eyes, “from what I remember, you had girls waiting for a chance to go out with you.”
“And we see how that turned out,” my brother shakes his head, “not that it matters anymore since I have an actual girlfriend.” He studies the vase of mismatched flowers. “Come to think of it, I should probably get her some flowers.”
“You better learn how to arrange your own bouquet,” Samantha says, “none of us have time to add another job to our plates right this second.”
“I never said it was for today. Maybe next week when she has a day off.”
“Add it to the calendar,” I point toward the huge whiteboard that covers the wall above the coffee maker.
“We’re supposed to be going digital,” he mumbles under his breath as he moves toward the board. He grabs a dry erase pen and opens it. “Where exactly do I add it? It looks like next week is completely booked up.”
