Page 10 of Be-Leaf in Love

Apparently, John English was some kind of bad boy of the financial world, who made tons of money but also several enemies. A real cutthroat bastard. Yet he’s still well regarded, because he’s one of the best at what he does.

That must be super annoying for Jack, to have his father’s reputation overshadowing the good work he does. No wonder he didn’t want to talk about it.

The bell rings out front, and Jasmine jumps up to answer it. A moment later, she sashays toward me while holding out a small brown and gold package. “Somebody has an admirer!” she laughs.

The front bell dings again. This time it’s Mom who goes out front, while Iris runs over to join us in my corner. “Who’s it from?” Iris asks.

My hands are trembling as I open the box. “The gorgeous businessman who took me out to dinner last night, I guess.”

Wow. Every chocolate is like its own universe. Some are decorated with flowers and leaves, others with stripes and a glorious, glossy icing.

Jasmine peeks in. “I bet they’re from that new handmade place that was on the news. Girl – these are super expensive. He got you a full dozen?!”

I hold out the tray. “Please, take one.”

Mom returns when we each have a bonbon melting on our tongues. I silently hold out the box and nod, and she laughs. “Snack break, apparently.”

Jasmine moans around the mouthful of chocolate. “So good.”

“Read the card,” Iris insists.

I tilt it away from them to read. “Dinner again tonight, beautiful? Nothing fancy. Just something a little different. May I pick you up at the shop at 6:30?” He’s left his cell number for me to reply.

“Apparently, I have a dinner date tonight,” I announce.

Mom’s eyes narrow. “Is he a nice boy, dear?”

I giggle-snort. “He’s not a boy. He’s the CEO of an investment company. But yes, so far he’s been nothing but unbelievably sweet to me.”

Mom blinks in surprise, then looks back and forth between my sisters. “Do we approve of this?”

Iris nods. “Yup. If they hit five dates, we need to meet him.”

“For sure.” Jasmine nods decisively. “Those are the rules.”

“Rules?” I ask blankly.

Mom shrugs. “Yep. The rules we’re making up right now.”

“Fair enough,” I laugh. As soon as they go back to work, I send a text.

Thank you for the lovely chocolates. I’ll see you here at 6:30.

He responds in less than a minute.

Jack: Can’t wait to see you again, gorgeous.

The rest of the day is a blur of work and trying to think of what to wear. By the time I’m standing in front of my closet, my decision is made. After putting on a floral dress, I add my bangles and put up one side of my hair in daisy clips.

Jack has already seen the business version of me and the work version of me. He might as well see the date version of me – now that there is such a thing.

A few minutes before six-thirty, I walk downstairs to see a gorgeous silver convertible rolling up in front of the shop.

Jack jumps out and rushes over, wrapping his arms around me in a giant bear hug and spinning us around. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in a week.” Before I can reply, he presses a string of light kisses along my temple, my cheekbone, and down my throat, barely missing my mouth.

Then he stops, conspicuously looking around to make sure nobody is nearby before giving me a deep, soul-stirring kiss that makes the backs of my knees tingle.

There's a bounce in his step as we walk to the car. “Don’t worry, I’m not taking you on the highway or anywhere that will blow your lovely hair around. Just across town.”

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