“I’ll think of something,” Florian said with a smile. “You just sit tight and I’ll whip something upforyou.”
“Thanks,Florian.”
He got to work instantly, pinning up his messy blond hair and picking out single stems of flowers from the many glasscontainers.
“So,” he said through a mouthful of a lily stem. “Tell me more about this guy. He must be something ifyoulikehim.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I grumbled good-naturedly.
Florian laughed. “Nothing. I’m glad to see you getting out and meeting new peopleisall.”
I agreed, but didn’t sayanything.
“Where did you meet him?” Florian called. He was on the other side of the store now, pulling ribbon from a colorful display on thebackwall.
“At the adoption centre,” I said. “He was just kind of sitting there byhimself.”
“That’s interesting,” Florian said genuinely. “Does he like kids? I mean, most omegas do, but I don’t want toassume.”
“He does. Apparently he’s thereoften.”
“That’s nice.” He shuffled over with his arms full of stems and ribbon, barely making it to the counter in time. He began arranging them and his face was obscured by all the flowers bobbing and waving around. “Are you thinking of starting a familyatall?”
“I mean - I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it atall,” I admitted. “But I think it’s a little too early for that.” I sighed. “Especially since he basically ran away the instant I invited him to myplace.”
Snipping noises came from the counter. “I don’t know, Vincent… I still think there’s something else going on. I know you, and you’re not a pushy guy. Oh!” He suddenly ducked under the counter, ran up to the fridge at the front of the store, picked up a couple roses, and dashed back. As he added them to the bouquet, he said, “Just talk to him. Youneverknow.”
I sighed. “I know. You’reright.”
“And….done!”
A moment later Florian appeared in front of me with a bouquet so large I couldn’t see his face. Roses, lilies, lilacs, carnations, and a bunch of other flowers I didn’t recognize were arranged beautifully, with a curled red ribbon holding them alltogether.
“The rose, lilac and carnation are for love. The lily is beauty.” He shot me a wry smile. “The white tulips are forforgiveness.”
“I definitely need some of that. Throw some more white tulips inthere.”
He laughed and handed me the bouquet. “Hereyougo.”
“Thanks.” I held the bouquet delicately with one hand and dug around for my wallet with the other. “How much do Ioweyou?”
But Florian waved me off. “Don’t worry about it. It’sonme.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, shocked. “No, please, let mepayyou.”
“No, no no!” He waved his hands almost childishly. “You’re not allowed. Get out of my storenow.Bye!”
I half groaned and half laughed. “Geez, fine. I’m gonna leave a one-star review for the badservicehere.”
Florian was still waving me out of the store. “Goodbye! Let me know howitgoes!”
“I will.Seeyou.”
I placed the bouquet gently in the passenger seat and set off for John’s apartment. I could only pray that I wasn’t too late to save ourrelationship.
* * *
My heart poundedas I pulled up to the curb. Gently picking up the bouquet, I parked and locked up the car. I stared at the frontentrance.
