“It was so cool the way you did the flowers for the Black Diamonds celebration.”
“Really?”
“They were gorgeous. I knew I had to come get a bouquet from you.”
“Well, thank you. I’m glad you could come out and get something you liked.”
A furious blush creeps up my cheeks at her kind words. She smiles the whole way out of the store after I helped her put together something special for her daughter’s birthday. Happy customers like that are why I love doing this.
It’s nice to see that people recognized the hard work we put into the celebration and want to stop by.
I go back to sorting through this morning’s flowers that Leon picked up, arranging them accordingly in the cooler for events and working on more bouquets to sell. A fewknickknacks need restocking, keeping me busy most of the day.
Until Leon stops me. “Okay, what are your plans for tonight?”
“Going home to my husband?” I answer. It comes out as more of a question.
“Not tonight,” he declares. “We’re going to take you out to celebrate.”
“Celebrate what?”
“Your big win. The store has been getting all sorts of buzz after the Black Diamonds championship celebration.”
“Are we getting a lot of business from it?” I ask. Leon is in charge of booking the events, while I handle more of the storefront side of things.
“Yes. Business is doing great. I even got a call from a local magazine that wants to do a write-up on the store. Everyone wants us to do their events because we work with the Black Diamonds. Want the same vibes we gave our champions.” His eyes sparkle. His passion is Enchanted Petals, as much as mine is. “So tonight we celebrate. Dinner. Drinks. Maybe dancing if we feel up to it.”
“If we celebrate tonight, we arenotdoing shots,” I clarify. “No way.”
Because doing shots always seems to get me in trouble. At least where Declan is concerned.
“Party pooper. But you will have two drinks and after that, the number is up for debate.”
I smile back at him. Leon is one of my closest friends and clearly knows me well. “That is agreeable.”
“I love you, Alice. Thank you. Now, I’ll finish up here if you want to go home and change.”
I look down at my Enchanted Petals tee and torn-up jeans. “You mean you don’t think this is acceptable attire to wear out?”
“Jacob will have words to say about it—if you want to get him started.”
“I won’t.”
Heading to the back room, I grab my things before leaving. I pull out my phone and call Declan. It rings and rings before going to voicemail.
“Hey. Leon wants to take me out to celebrate how successful the event was last week. I’m sure you’re at practice, but I might see you at home before I leave. I’ll see you tonight. Umm, bye.”
Why was that the most awkward voicemail ever? It’s not like I don’t know how to have a conversation with him, so why am I being weird?
It’s been like that since our almost-kiss the night of the championship dinner.
Ball is in your court.
I think about it the entire way home. All while getting ready and primping to go out as I change into something that Jacob would approve of.
High-waisted black jeans with a silk, leopard-print camisole top. Nothing over-the-top, but I feel confident in it.
I spritz on perfume before giving my hair one last fluff as my phone buzzes that my rideshare is here.
