Page 5 of Be-Leaf in Love

Melati’s big smile relaxes me a bit as I approach the reception desk. “This must be important,” she says, winking. “He said to drop everything when the flower girl is ready. You should have seen his smile.”

Really? He thinks of me as “the flower girl”? Well…fine?

She lifts the phone to her ear, still grinning. “Mr. English? Miss Palmer is here. She’s—” Melati blinks in surprise, and her mouth drops open. “He hung up!”

A split second later, Jack comes rushing from the end of the corridor, hand outstretched to shake mine. “Violet. So good of you to come back so soon, thank you.”

His hand clasps mine gently and warmly. He doesn’t let go, staring into my eyes for what feels like a whole minute. He’s wearing another perfectly tailored, physique-hugging suit, this one more charcoal than black. Also, he’s wearing a different watch today – all black, with neat silver screw accents.

“Come on, let’s see your ideas,” he says, leading me down the hallway. For a brief moment, his palm brushes my lower back, and I swear I lose the ability to breathe. I’ve always been easily flustered at the best of times, and Jack’s presence is awakening so many brand-new feelings that I’m overwhelmed.

Instead of walking into his office, he turns down a side hallway, then opens the door to a medium-sized conference room. There are two empty chairs, and he pulls one out for me as I stare in astonishment at four unfamiliar faces.

Oh no.

I can speak to one person with confidence. Maybe two. This is officially…a group. And they’re all looking at me. This is the real-life version of a frequent nightmare.

“Everyone, this is Violet Palmer, of Palmer’s Potted Plants. They’re a local family business who have been operating for twenty years. She has some innovative ideas to breathe some life into our space.”

Jack’s smile is strange. It’s as if he’s trying to contain it, even though his eyes are dancing. “Violet, this is Jerry, our office manager. Fiona, Jeff and Mark are all department heads. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Swallowing hard, my throat feels disconnected from the rest of me. “Hi,” is all I can manage.

Everyone is looking at me expectantly, as I pull the prints from my bag. My hands are visibly shaking, which Jack notices immediately.

“Violet,” he says softly, leaning close. “Are you okay?”

I can’t explain that I have stage fright. He’ll think I’m some flighty little girl. I’m already the flower girl, for goodness’ sake.

“I-I’m sorry,” I murmur, spreading out the first several pages across the table. Turning to Jack, I give him what I hope is a meaningful look. “I only printed one set. I didn’t realize I’d be presenting toseveral people.”

From the way he’s studying my eyes, it’s as if he can see right into my soul.

Under the table, he gives my knee a quick, discreet pat as he nods. “That’s okay. We’ve got this.”

4

JACK

I’m an idiot. How could I have expected Violet to be ready to give a full presentation on such short notice? Not to mention, the poor girl clearly has a problem with public speaking. Her fingers are shaking, and her breath is unsteady.

Damn… I hope this hasn’t ruined my chances with her. But damage control is part of my job. I’ll have to make this okay.

If I could only stop staring at the swell of her breasts in that cute dress and imagining how soft her delicate mouth will feel when I finally get to kiss that trembling bottom lip.

“Actually, Violet, if it’s all right with you, since we’re a little pressed for time I’ll just summarize for the group what you and I discussed yesterday?”

She nods eagerly.

Using her photos as a reference, I quickly go over the potential of the sun-drenched wall and explain how having an area full of foliage will brighten the entire office. Then I turn one of the pages toward me.Oh, interesting. “And as you’ll see here,” I continue smoothly without missing a beat, “we can echo the green wall by having several plant arrangement areas throughout the entire space. Including the reception area.”

Jerry nods, slipping out a typed page at the bottom and scanning the numbers. “The pricing is quite reasonable. Far less than we’d be looking at for a full makeover.”

“Plants are incredibly popular right now,” Fiona says. “They make the air feel fresher and more alive. Great for productivity.”

Jeff and Mark look at each other and shrug. “Sounds good to me,” Jeff says.

Mark grunts. “Worth a shot, maybe.”

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