Chapter 1
Sarai
Aphone released its shrill ring as Sarai walked across the floor to answer it. She picked up the receiver. “Petals to the Metal, this is Sarai, how can I help you?”
Sarai emerged from the vast array of white tubs. They were full of various brightly colored blooms. They filled the air with their sweet perfume. The top of her head was the color of cotton candy, with twists of midnight blue ringlets that cascaded down her shoulders to fall just above her wide hips. She was dressed in her favorite rock tee and neon green leggings. She wore a white apron over it with Petals to the Metal in neon green. Her mom had embroidered her name on it with neon pink thread. In her hand she clutched a bundle of orchids.
“Ok, so that’s two white orchids on a pearl bracelet with a pink ribbon. That will run you $25. I can do an orchid on the pink ribbon for $10.” The counter wascovered in corsages. She picked up a pair of shears andbegan cutting stems off as she cradled the phone between her shoulder and her ear. Sarai was an excellent multitasker.
“Coming through!” Mickey said, carrying one of the large white tubs full of pink and white tulips. Unlike Sarai, Mickey was more normal looking with black dyed hair and a diamond stud nose ring. She was dressed in low rise jeans and a white floral top under her apron. Mickey stopped to lift the cord of the phone above her head as she slipped around the counter and behind Sarai.
“Tell you what. I can do a shiny pink ribbon for her wrist and then a sheer ribbon tied around the stem of the orchid. Will that do?”
Business was booming. And the next few days were going to be hectic. It was homecoming weekend in the valley at three different high schools, so they had hundreds of corsages to make. And there was a wedding that weekend. Bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, and floral arrangements had to be made. On top of that were birthday bouquets, get well bouquets, I’m sorry bouquets, first date bouquets, anniversary bouquets, and just because bouquet orders coming in daily. They were swamped. She only had a very small staff: her, her bestfriend Mickey, their delivery boy, and one other employee who kept the tubs filled with fresh water.
The bell above the door jingled and Mickey looked up at the sound. A tall, dark, and handsome man strolled in through the door. He was dressed in tight jeans and a black muscle shirt that accentuated the tanned and muscular body underneath. It was alluring, and Mickey couldn’t help but watch him with hungry eyes.
He had long black hair that hung around his shoulders and he removed a pair of sunglasses that revealed honey brown eyes. There was an air of arrogance about him, in the way he held his head up, and the way he walked with purpose.
“Yeah, I can do that for ten. Not a problem. You can pick it up between three and six day of. Have fun at homecoming.” Sarai had her back to the door, so she didn’t see the man who walked in.
Mickey poked Sarai as she hung up the phone and wrote down an order.“Well, hello there,” Mickey said under her breath. She clicked her tongue and looked him up and down. She nudged Sarai, who rolled her eyes and smacked her before going to the counter.
The man smiled at Mickey’s comment andstopped at the counter. A Rolex, on his wrist, flashed itsdiamonds as he moved his locks of raven hair out of his face.
“Welcome to Petals to the Metal. Can I help you, sir?”
“Yes,” he purred, and Mickey sighed beside her.
“I apologize for my drooling employee.” Sarai grinned as Mickey waved slyly and winked.
“It’s no trouble.” He laughed arrogantly, as if he was used to girls fawning over him.
“I’m sure it isn’t.” She blushed, embarrassed at her own stupid comment. “Anyway, how can I help you?”
“I need some flowers. An arrangement of red roses should do.” He flashed her a smile that showed off his pearly white teeth.
“What’s it for?” Sarai asked as she grabbed the order pad and pen. She tore off the previous order and then wrote down the new one.
“A dinner party, if you must know,” he stated with no hint of emotion.
“You just want a bouquet of red roses?” Sarai asked. “How many roses in it?”
“I believe I said an arrangement,” he snapped and then flashed his perfect teeth again.
“Right, an arrangement. How big of an arrangement are you thinking?” Sarai nibbled on the tip of her pen.
“Just make me an arrangement with red roses.” He was either annoyed or nervous; she couldn’t quite read him.
“Look, red roses are beautiful, but can I suggest something better?” She picked an orchid up off the counter that hadn’t yet been tied with a ribbon. “Orchids are a much more extravagant choice, and we happen to have plenty left over from our homecoming order. We always order extra. And, for contrast, orchids go great with lilies. I can make you a gorgeous arrangement with brightly colored orchids and white lilies. It will be so much prettier than plain old red, boring roses. I know because they happen to be my favorite flowers, so I always make myself an arrangement of them for my birthday.”
“This flower you hold in your hand, this is anorchid?”
“Yes.”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he studied the flower. “Do you have an example of an arrangement so I can have a better idea?” he asked after an awkward moment.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” She opened a book on the counter and flipped it to her favorite arrangement. “I made this one for my birthday last year. I just happen to have these colors in stock.”
