“Oh, I wish. They’re just something I’ve always loved, ever since I was a little girl, right after my family and I took a tripto Hawaii. We had stumbled upon these streets that were filled with frangipani trees, and I remember being completely captivated by them.But no, I don’t work with them. I’m a nurse. What about you? What do you do?”
She keeps her gaze on me as she sets both of the plants gently in the trolley.
“I’m an operations manager for a car rental company. It’s not as exciting as it sounds, and it’s certainly not as rewarding as being nurse.”
“I’m sure you’re great at what you do either way.”
“I try. But lately, I haven’t been as focused, and more often than not, I can feel the passion for the job slowly dwindling away.”
“Perhaps you’re not being challenged enough.”
“Maybe… or it’s just that I’m starting to lose interest.”
“I get that. Sometimes I wish I could just spend every day in a garden or greenhouse, tending to plants all day long.”
“Why don’t you?”
“Because I have bills to pay, that’s why.”
“Of course. Can’t have you slacking on your adult responsibilities, now, can we?”
She lets out a soft, airy laugh, and for a fleeting moment, I’m mesmerised by her warm, comforting smile and the sparkle in her vivid blue eyes.
Hope is slightly taller and curvier than the women I’ve been with in the past. And while I’ve usually been attracted to brunettes, her long, vibrant red hair always seems to catch my eye. She’s beautiful in that ethereal way, like a siren or anangel in a fantasy movie. And with every encounter, I find myself increasingly drawn to her.
“Alright, enough chit-chat,” she orders, instantly snapping me out of the spell she seems to have me under. “We need to find you more plants.”
What the hell is wrong with me? She just got divorced from her ex-husband, and here I am, gawking at her like some smitten teenage boy who just reached puberty.Get a hold of yourself, dickhead! You’re the last person she needs to be involved with.
“You’re the boss,” I mutter, pushing my thoughts as far back as I can and follow her into the next aisle.
For the next twenty minutes, we move through each section, carefully examining and selecting different plants. In the end, we grab six in total—four smaller ones and two large floor plants, which she identifies as a fiddleleaf fig and a parlor palm, promising me that the latter is ‘very easygoing.’
I pay for the items at the register, and within minutes, we have them loaded into the back of Jason’s truck.
“Thank you, Hope. For all your help. You’ve probably saved a few innocent plants from a tragic fate.”
She chuckles softly. “It was my pleasure, Kaden. I made sure to pick the ones that could survive your… eventual neglect.”
“I promise to give them all the TLC I can provide.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Treat them like they’re your own children. They need more than just water to survive, they also need to thrive.”
“Duly noted. Where do you think would be the best place to put them?”
“Well, I’d need to see the space first. Otherwise, I can only make a few rough suggestions.”
“Would you like to?”
“Make a few rough suggestions?”
I shake my head slowly. “See the space?”
She opens her mouth to speak but hesitates. I can tell a hundred different scenarios are running through her head about how this might play out. So, I spare her the worry.
“Only if you’re comfortable, there’s absolutely no pressure. You’ve already helped more than enough. I just thought it’d be good to get someone else’s opinion. Someone with a keen eye and a real interest in this stuff. As I said before, I’m totally clueless.”
She glances at the plants now on the back of the truck, while she thinks over my request. After a long pause, she looks up, our eyes locking once more.
