"They're beautiful." I compliment the work, and Barrett nods.
"He just popped out for coffee at Steamed. It's just a couple of blocks down, so he should be back any minute. In the meantime," Barrett gestures around the shop, his large hands moving with surprising grace, "take a look around. Get a feel for the place. We pride ourselves on letting our flowers do the talking, but we're always open to a fresh perspective."
Oh, how different this is from Sovereign Florals.
"I'm in no rush," I tell him, already scanning the vibrant displays. The arrangements are indeed stunning, a symphony of color and texture that speaks of creativity and care.
A pang of excitement, a familiar flutter that always accompanies me when I immerse myself in a world full of blooms. Except, I never really felt this way at Sovereign. This right here, standing in the middle of Peonies and Petals, feels right.
Reaching out to gently touch a velvety tulip that is in a design with roses, I hear the chime of the bell announced another arrival. A man who is my height with bright eyes and a slightly disheveled mop of copper hair enters the shop, balancing two steaming cups of coffee and a white paper sack rolled at the top.
This must be the husband. Caleb.
"Steamed delivered!" he announces with a grin, handing one of the cups to Barrett. "Noah sends his love, obviously."
"And look who's here!" Barrett says, pointing to me with his coffee cupped hand.
Curiosity crosses his eyes before recognition sets in. "You must be Ben. Kai's been raving about you." He extends his hand, grip soft and gentle with a couple of band aids lacing his fingers.
"That's me. Ben. Nice to meet you," I tell him, still eyeing his fingers when I let go of his hand.
"Don't worry, hazard of the trade. One of the batches of roses we got in had thorns, and I didn't notice them until it was too late." He shrugs and takes a sip of his coffee. At least I assume it is coffee. "Ben. Welcome to Peonies and Petals. My baby."
Barrett clears his throat and gives Caleb a pointed look.
"Fine," he teases and offers me a wink. "It's my second baby," he finishes and then lets out a soft giggle.
Barrett's eyes linger on Caleb, a possessive warmth that speaks volumes. It isn't just professional admiration; it's something softer, something more intimate.
I turn my attention away from them as it seems to be a private moment, only to be met by tension in my neck. The comments from Cole sneaking in, and the fear that my work is inadequate. But the more I take in the shop and the kindness of these two men, that tension starts to dissipate.
"So," Caleb says, turning his bright gaze back to me and away from his husband, his hand still resting on Barrett's arm, a gesture of casual intimacy. "Kai tells us you have a knack for making flowers tell a story. I'm all ears. But instead of telling us, we want you to show us. That is, if you're okay with that."
The unspoken invitation hangs in the air.
A surge of quiet confidence fills me. Here I am in a new town, already being seen for the first time in a long time. It's like I'm on the cusp of something extraordinary.
A prelude to what's to come.
Chapter Three
__________
Ben
Caleb reaches out and grabs my hand as I stand in the middle of the shop's showroom. "Relax. You're going to do great. I can feel it." He squeezes my hand before releasing it. "Come on. Let me show you the workshop."
Caleb guides me through the doorway behind the counter where Barrett first emerged. He shows me the staff's gender-neutral bathroom, a storage closet for cleaning supplies, and then Barrett's office. It's small and very organized. Then, to my surprise, the hallway ends and opens into a large room full of battered wood workbenches, shelves of vases with varying sizes, shapes, and colors, and a wall of walk-in coolers filled with some of the most beautiful flowers.
"Soooo," he draws out dramatically, "this is where the magic happens," Caleb tells me, showing off the workroom.
Barrett snorts behind us, and I feel my cheeks heat. He was thinking what I was with the words,where the magic happens. I don't know them well enough yet to make those kinds of jokes, so I just put my head down and try to keep my smile to myself.
"Aaaaand," Barrett mimics Caleb, "this is where I leave the two of you to have fun. I'll be in my office placing our flower order for next week. It will be insane." Barrett kisses the top of Caleb's head and offers me a little wave. "Oh, and Ben?"
"Yeah?" I ask, taken off guard a bit because I wasn't expecting him to address me.
"Take a deep breath." He orders and I listen. Breathing in deeply through my nose and out of my mouth. "Good, boy. Now…have fun. I can't wait to see what you create." And with those parting words, he heads back down the hallway, and I'm left wondering what that was all about.
