The second man that Leanna had in mind for me was a driving instructor. His sole goal during our two dates was to teach me how to drive even though I had no interest in it.
I spent four hours behind the wheel of his SUV with him breathing down my neck and not in a good way. By the time our second date was over, he had told me that I’d never cut it as his girl since I couldn’t master a left turn.
I was fine with that. I don’t need a driver’s license or a man.
I do need an explanation for why I’m suddenly being thrust into delivery person mode by Leanna.
“Al can deliver that with the others when he picks you up.” I glance at the clock on the wall. “I’ll put the bouquet together now, so it will be good to go.”
“Athena,” she stresses with a tap of her fingernail on the laptop screen. “I don’t think you understand. You need to deliver this order. The customer specifically requested you do it after seven tonight.”
Without glancing at the order on the laptop screen, I shake my head. “As much as I appreciate you wanting to help me find a man, I’m not interested.”
Her hand leaps to her mouth as she lets out a laugh. “When you told me to butt out of your personal life, Al said the same thing. I have nothing to do with this. I swear.”
I lean in to get a better look at the order.
The customer’s name is the same as the name for the delivery.Liam Wolf.I scan the address. It’s on the Lower East Side. When we had dinner together, he told me he lived there.
He wants me to deliver flowers to his home?
Holy hell.
I didn’t expect to hear from him again. I thought the dinner was both a thank-you and a good-bye.
“Do you recognize the customer’s name?” Leanna quizzes with a pop of her brows. “Is there something you’d like to tell me?”
Biting my bottom lip, I hold everything in. I can’t tell if I’m more excited than nervous. “He’s placed a couple of orders in the past.”
Leanna studies my face. “There’s more to this story than that.”
Shrugging off her assumption, I point at the laptop screen. “I’ll take care of that order. Why don’t you get started on the one for Hunter Reynolds? He wants something special for his wife, Sadie, for their anniversary.”
“I know what she likes,” she says with confidence.
This is why I love having Leanna here. She has built up long-term relationships with many of the customers who have been coming to the shop for years.
“Tomorrow I expect to hear all the details about your delivery to Mr. Wolf on the Lower East Side.”
I shoot her a look that’s punctuated with a sly grin. “That falls under client and florist confidentiality.”
Pointing a finger at me, she winks. “I knew something was going on. Good for you, Athena. Good for you.”
Maybe at another time, he could be good for me, but I’ve never been a rebound, and I have no intention of stepping into that role now.
Red skinny jeans,a white sweater, my black leather jacket, and my favorite boots. That’s what I’m wearing when I approach the address that Liam noted in his online order.
I considered going home to change my clothes, but I decided against it after looking in the full-length mirror hanging on the back of the door in the cramped office at Wild Lilac.
I smoothed my hair into a tight ponytail. After applying black eyeliner, mascara, and a sheer lip balm, I liked the way I looked.
Once I’m standing in front of the building, I realize that I have to be buzzed in.
Instead of pressing the button withWolfwritten next to it, I send Liam a text message.
Athena: I have a floral delivery for you.
It doesn’t take more than a few seconds for his reply to pop up on my phone.
