Kai’s eyes twinkle, his infectious enthusiasm radiating. "We're so excited, Ben! And knowing you'll be helping create something beautiful for us… It just feels right. Caleb was so happy to tell me how you just fit in here and that you are readyfor this. He said you've got a heart for people with the eye of an artist. Things I already knew.”
I look over and see Caleb nodding and blushing. He gives me a wink.
I gesture around the chic room, my gaze lingering on the whiteboard. "This new space is incredible, too! Imagine the magic we can conjure here." Caleb stands a little taller with what looks like a surge of pride, a quiet understanding passing between us. This is more than just a business transaction; it’s a validation, a testament to the seeds of creativity that Kai himself had sown in me all those years ago when I was just a teen trying to find my way.
The sweet scent of wildflowers on the table, so simple yet so perfectly placed, seems to mirror the moment's burgeoning beauty. I imagine the conversations to come, the brainstorming sessions with Caleb that I’m sure will be filled with laughter and shared visions, the gentle unfolding of floral dreams for Kai and Shawn. The morning, which had begun with the comforting embrace of a van and the promise of a quiet intimacy, is now blossoming into something even more profound, a vibrant tapestry woven with friendship, trust, and the shared language of flowers.
Enjoying the new conference corner, Kai explains his vision. “It will be a May wedding, because June is so overrated,” Kai teases. “My parents were married in May, and I thought I would pick their month as an honor to them.” He explains more about why May is important to him, and it fills me with hope that one dayI’ll be on that side of the table picking out flowers for my own wedding.
"I want it to reflect us as a couple,” Kai continues.
“Wild and playful, but romantic," I fill in, having known Kai for a while, the wild part I understand. Especially when he’s a little. Some would call him a brat, but I think he’s just mischievous.
Already painting a vibrant picture, I lean closer to the whiteboard, a fresh marker poised in my hand. "So, we're talking about a spring wedding that feels alive, like a meadow after a fresh rain. Forget rigid bouquets; think overflowing baskets, branches that twist and turn like dancers, and a riot of color that surprises and delights." I scribble a few hurried notes, a spark in my eyes. "We can use lots of texture–delicate ferns mingling with bold poppies, maybe some wispy grasses peeking out from unexpected places. And for the playful element, perhaps unexpected pops of color, like vibrant bluebells tucked amongst softer hues, or maybe even some strategically placed ladybugs made of tiny berries."
I get so lost in my drawing and notes that I don’t see Caleb getting up and heading to the cooler to grab some of the flowers and elements I mentioned. He brings them to the table and begins constructing from my notes and diagrams. Almost like we are one with this vision.
Kai beams, a soft glow of approval emanating from him. "Exactly! You guys get it. I want it to feel effortless, like nature decided to throw a party. But beneath that playfulness, there needs to be that deep, undeniable romance. Think stolen glances, hushed promises whispered amongst the blossoms. Maybe we can incorporate some vintage elements into the arrangements, or use candles that cast a warm, flickering glow. And the scent…oh, the scent needs to be powerful, like a secret garden you stumble upon."
Mom’s garden flashes in my memory, and I totally get what he’s thinking. My smile widens, the possibilities unfurling before me like a breathtaking floral tapestry. "Intoxicating is the word you’re looking for. We'll have the sweet perfume of lilacs and hyacinths, the earthy undertones of moss and damp soil, perhaps even a hint of something spicy like cardamom pods hidden amongst the greenery. It will be an experience, Kai. A joyous, wild, and deeply romantic celebration of you and Shaun’s love.”
The mention ofvintage elementssparks a memory, a warm and fuzzy recollection of my mother’s cluttered potting shed and her penchant for collecting unique vases and jars. I can almost see her face alight with discovery, pulling out a delicate, amethyst-colored jar or a robust, emerald-green pitcher from a dusty trunk. Those jars, so imperfect and unique, had been the first vessels for my own budding floral creations, carefully arranged for Ms. Tibball. They each held a whimsical charm, a narrative of their own that perfectly align with Kai's vision of wildness and romance. My eyes, already bright with inspiration, seem to glow even more.
"Oh, Kai," I turn from the whiteboard and shout out, a genuine thrill coursing through me, "I have just the thing…well, more like an idea. My mother collected vintage glass jars. All sorts of shapes and colors. Mismatched, of course, but that's their charm! They would be perfect for holding smaller arrangements, tucked amongst the branches, or even as individual centerpieces on some of the tables. They’d bring that touch of history and personal story that feels so right for this," I gesture vaguely to the whiteboard, then back to Kai, the unspoken connection between my past and this present moment solidifying.
Kai claps his hands together, his smile widening. "Ben, that's brilliant! It's like you're reading my mind. Those little touches,the personal histories woven into the design, that's what will make it truly special. It’s not just about the flowers themselves, is it? It’s about the feeling, the memories they evoke. Your mother's jars sound like they’re brimming with love and stories, and that’s exactly the kind of magic we want to infuse into this wedding."
“I’ll see what I can do to recreate it. Since…you know.” I struggle to explain it all again. Kai was there to help me when I was kicked out. He knows the story about my mom’s car accident, the destruction of the garden, and how I was a homeless gay teen. He was there for it all and helped me get on my feet.
I pull out my phone and take a picture of the board, along with Caleb’s mockup of the arrangement. Caleb gives me a wink, and I nod. We’re a team, and each day, each consult shows me more and more that Caleb respects me as an artist and as an equal. There’s no competition between us.
The rest of the consultation flies by in a blur of shared ideas and excited scribbles on the whiteboard. We discuss the ceremony backdrop, envisioning intertwined branches dripping with ethereal fairy lights, and the reception tables, each adorned with miniature meadows housed in vases.
I feel a profound sense of gratitude, not just for Kai’s trust in his wedding flowers, but for the supportive environment Caleb and Barrett have cultivated. It’s a space where creativity is not just encouraged, but nurtured.
Chapter Fifteen
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Ben
Kai left with the mockup arrangement Caleb made, and we’ve been putting together a few new arrangements for the past few hours to restock the showroom floor.
"Are you excited to hang out with everyone tomorrow?" Caleb's voice interrupts my thoughts. He's talking about the group playdate at his house tomorrow.
"I think so,” I tell him hesitantly. “Jason and I got together last night for some daddy-little time. We didn't want to do the whole romantic thing for Valentine's since we just started dating." Wait. Are we dating? It's only been a week, but I can't imagine seeing anyone other than Jason.
His warmth and caring have been nothing shy of spectacular. He's everything I've been looking for in a relationship, and a daddy. He's tall and in good shape, handsome, the sweetest guy I've met in a long time, and a great listener. When he held me while we watched a movie, it felt like he was made just for me. It was like I was a puzzle piece fitting into the perfect slot in his side.
"How was it? Your first time playing together?” Caleb bounces on his feet in excitement. “I remember when Barrett and I started dating, it was awkward because he just got out of a terrible relationship–"
"It wasn't a relationship," Barrett interrupts, rolling his eyes, as he comes into the back room to check on us. "I dated a guy for a couple of weeks and realized he wasn't the right fit forme. I just happened to meet this cutie while I was getting coffee one morning." He steps up to Caleb and wraps him in his arms. Caleb melts into him. They are too cute together.
Will I have that someday? The daddy who just wraps me in his arms for no reason. I let out a soft whine.
When they both look at me, I feel my face heat. "What? You guys are just too cute," I tell them before turning to my workstation and packing up my notes and clearing the few springs I was messing with. I place the flowers in a small jar of water and set it aside. It's nothing special, but it will brighten my space. I hate tossing good flowers away.
"So...you never said how it went?" Caleb prods, and Barrett clears his throat. He seems to do that a lot when Caleb gets too nosy. "Sorry, Ben. I know it's not my business, but you and I are becoming good friends, and I love Uncle Jason. He's the sweetest guy, and he needs a sweet little to take care of him."
