4
Vincent
The instant Johnpulled away from me was one of the worst moments ofmylife.
I watched the fear, frustration and anxiety soak into his expression. He was scared. I understood that much - any new relationship is always mixed with some fear. But this wasn’t like that. John wasterrified, and I didn’tunderstandwhy.
When he turned and sped away from me, it was like my heart stopped for a few seconds. I couldn’t believe it. Our night was going so well until I had invited himinside.
Then the realization hit me. That must have been it. When I invited him to my apartment, he must have been put off by how forward I was being. I groaned and wanted to kick myself. In my excitement to get closer to John, I’d rushed things. I wouldn’t make that mistake everagain.
I shuffled up to my apartment a frustrated mess. There was no way I was going to lose this relationship. I would apologize to John and be more careful next time. Ihadto make this work. Ineededto.
Maybe it was crazy of me, but I was already in lovewithJohn.
That night I had a fitful sleep and awoke tired but determined. I knew what I hadtodo.
As I locked my door, I played the events over in my mind, nitpicking every little thing I said wrong or could have done better. I didn’t want to hurt John ever again. I had to showhimthat.
Instead of waiting for the elevator, I stormed down the stairs into the parking garage. My car stood in its usual spot and I quickly hopped in. Our pack was one of the few in the area who had modern technologies like cars. I took a moment to feel grateful for Red Sky’s up-to-datesociety.
I shot down the street. I knew exactly where I was going. Although I was a bit of a lone wolf in the pack except for my friend Markus and now John, I did have one omega friend I could alwayscounton.
The plaza was relatively empty and I parked close to the door. When I entered the flower shop, the floral scent enveloped me. The entire shop had a light, ethereal aura about it - it was such a calming place. Sometimes I was jealous of Florian, who got to work hereeveryday.
“Hello?” A small voice called out. I couldn’t see him because so many bouquets and intricate flower displays stood intheway.
“It’s me, Vincent,” Icalled.
“Oh! Why didn’t yousayso?”
A moment later Florian hurried out from behind the counter, wiping his hands on his floral printapron.
“Vincent, how are you?” he said with a beaming smile. “I feel like I haven’t seen youinages.”
“It has been too long,” Iagreed.
Florian nodded, then asked, “So what bringsyouhere?”
“It’s… a longstory.”
Florian smiled gently and gestured to the otherwise empty flower shop. “Ihavetime.”
I sighed. “Well, the gist of it is that I… metsomeone.”
He gasped. “Oh, Vincent, that’sgreat!”
“It is.” I frowned. “But I think I pushed things too fast. Last night I invited him to my apartment and I think I freaked him out. He ran off and I haven’t heard from him this morningatall.”
Listing off what had happened made me feel worse. It was like repeating it to Florian really solidified it. I felthorrible.
“Oh, dear,” he murmured. “Well, maybe it was just amisunderstanding.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, not reallybelievingit.
“So you want to buy him a bouquet to apologize?” Florianguessed.
“That’s right.” I sighed. “I don’t even know what kind of flowers helikes…”
