“Whatever takes your breath away,” he says.
Never mind the flowers; that statement did the trick.
Speechless, I stare at him.
He bows his chin. “I’m looking for an arrangement that will surprise the hell out of my girlfriend. It has to be unique. Do you think you can handle that, Athena?”
I can handle anything, even creating beautiful bouquets for men like him to give to other women.
“I’m up for the job.” I smile.
Sliding a credit card and a sealed envelope toward me, he takes a pause. “Her name and address are written on there. I need that and the flowers sent to her today.”
All of my deliveries have already gone out, and it’s nearing five o’clock.
“My delivery cut-off is at two.” I glance down at the large silver watch on his wrist. “I can have this in her hands tomorrow.”
“It has to be today.” He leans both of his palms on the counter. “I’ll pay extra if you can get it to her before eight.”
Who am I to stand in the way of true love? I have nothing planned for tonight, so I do my good deed for the day. “I can take it to her personally. No extra charge.”
His eyes scan my face. “If you can make that happen, I’ll be forever in your debt.”
I set to work writing out an invoice for an elaborate arrangement of the most expensive flowers I have in stock. If I’m going to do this tonight, I might as well do it right. I hope the woman on the receiving end of the bouquet and the note realizes just how lucky she is.
“You’ll confirm once they’re in Wren’s hand?”
I glance at the front of the envelope and the masculine handwriting.
Even the way he writes his girlfriend’s name is sexy.
Wren Holson
Beneath it is an address in Tribeca.
My gaze shifts to his handsome face. “The recipient usually confirms the delivery in a phone call or text to the sender.”
That goes without saying. Most people who receive flowers can’t wait to thank the person who sent them. I overheard my fair share of those calls when I worked at a floral shop during summer break in high school. I handled any deliveries that could be made on foot. It saved the shop owner a nice chunk of change, and it gave me insight into how much an unexpected gift of fragrant blossoms can instantly alter a person’s mood.
“Wren has a shoot that starts at seven.” He taps his finger on the envelope. “She’s a photographer. This is her studio address. It might take her a minute to get in touch with me after you deliver the flowers, so I’d appreciate confirmation. A text will dojust fine since I’ll be busy with a couple of appointments at my office tonight.”
I push a pad of paper and a pen at him. “Jot down your number on here.”
His lips curve into a smile. “Sure thing, Athena.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as he writes out the digits. I’ll program it into my phone for the night, but by tomorrow morning it will be history.
I finish up the invoice and slide it toward him. “Have a look over this and see if that works for you.”
His gaze catches mine. Without a glance down, he studies my face. “Charge it to my card and add a twenty percent tip.”
I already added a generous rush fee to the total, but since he hasn’t looked at the invoice, he doesn’t realize that.
I play to the moment as I pick up his card to run it through the register. “I’ll add ten percent to this order. You can tip me twenty on the next bouquet.”
“The next?” His brows perk.
“Once you see how grateful your girlfriend is, you’ll be back.”
