Fortunately, flowers are the key to brightening anyone’s day, and they are available in my store all year round.
It’s just… flowers are also the language of romance. I’m somehow part of everyone else’s moments, yet I don’t experience my own.
Maybe I’m a little envious when I watch Ford with his family. Who wouldn’t be a little jealous?
Shaking away the thought that creeps into my mind more often than it should, I sigh and grab a broom to sweep the floor and prepare to close up.
A few minutes later, I step outside and grab a few buckets filled with flowers on display. The fresh air and sun are a welcome change. Sometimes I wonder if the sun and flowers are competing to turn someone’s day around, it feels like today the sun wins.
Because the thing with flowers is that while you can buy yourself flowers, it doesn’t have the same effect as if someone else would. And right now, there is nobody in my life, not even close, only a memory of a night that lingers in my thoughts.
Heading back inside, I recount the list of things I need to do to close, and it’s a welcome distraction.
It’s twenty minutes later when I turn off the tablet for orders and payments then head back to the closet where I lock things away.
The sound of the bell over my front door rings to inform me that someone is here.
“Sorry, the options may be limited since I’m closing up,” I call out, not looking up, as I’m too occupied with noticing how dirty my apron is today.
Untying the belt, I walk back onto the shop floor.
“It’s okay, there is only one item I’m looking for.”
That voice causes me to instantly freeze, except for my eyes that snap up to confirm that it’s him, and I’m faced with a smirk as he leans against the counter, with sunglasses in his hand and wearing jeans and a light blue short-sleeved button-down shirt that accentuates his piercing eyes.
“Declan.”
“Violet.”
Hesitating, I take one step into the middle of my shop, doing my best to interpret his suave smirk and not combust at the same time.
He left a damn note on the pillow, with paper he’d folded into a bird, after a night of endless fun. I can’t really be mad because that was what I signed up for, but still, it stung a little.
“Tie her up.”
Declan instantly searches for the source of the words and finds Nugget perched in his cage. My face turns red from the choice of words this bird spits out at random moments.
“Someone is direct. I like it.” Declan’s cheeks heighten as he grins to himself.
I shake my head and smile tightly in embarrassment. “He is the culprit of my daily misery.”
Declan’s head tilts in different angles to study the bird. “I thought you have a bird phobia, so why am I staring at a parrot in a cage?”
“Nugget is part of the deal with my landlady. I get a decrease in rent if I keep the bird, since my landlady moved downstate to a condo that doesn’t allow pets. His limited vocabulary that is barely appropriate is just a bonus.” I’m sarcastic and huff out a breath.
“You’re handsome.”Nugget pecks his beak as he walks along his pole.
“Couldn’t agree more,” Declan responds.
Looking away, I hide my soft smile as I touch a lisianthus amongst a bunch of flowers. I do my best to occupy myself and erase the memory of Declan’s mouth covering mine to block my moans while by back was on his couch. “I wasn’t expecting you here. Is there something I can help you with?”
I can feel his gaze on me. “Thought I would stop by. I saw Ford, and he invited me to a BBQ. I would like to bring Brielle some flowers.”
I swallow because now I know that I will have to be near him at my brother’s house. I knew this day would come eventually.
“Well, uhm, okay, what do you have in mind?” I walk around the counter, avoiding glancing in his direction.
“What about sunflowers?”
