Page 17 of True Soil-Mates

Did I ruin everything by being a bit slow to read him? I’ve been running on pure physical lust, with no time to think things through. At the end of the day, I just don’t know if I would be a good girlfriend for him.

Researching new plants before I select them for a project is automatic. I determine what kind of light they like, what kind of soil, their watering needs. Only then will I decide to use them in a particular planter.

I was so head over heels for Alex that I didn’t think about his needs.

Given that he’s clearly fussy about cleanliness, my career does not work for him. But changing my career is not an option. Ilovemy job. It’s part of who I am. Even if I wasn’t working for and with my family, this is exactly what I’d want to be doing with my days.

The brick is sufficiently shredded in my large gray tub. I reach down for the bag of perlite; there’s only about a cup left. I dump it into the tub, scrunch up the empty plastic bag, and fling it into the trash.Yes! I have excellent aim after doing this for years and years. Then I turn my attention to a row of freshly potted snake plants standing along the edge of the workbench, waiting patiently to be watered.

“Knock knock.”

I spin, shocked to see Alex standing in the doorway between the shop and the workroom. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

I shouldn’t be staring at him open-mouthed, but I can’t help it. That grin! And the way he’s looking at me sends all kinds of prickles through my lower belly.

Alex steps closer, and I lift my hands. “I’m covered in muck.”

He doesn’t flinch, stepping closer. “I just need your lips for a split second.” His fingers tangle in the back of my hair, and he gives me a light, dreamy kiss that sends my heart soaring.

He steps back, clearly pleased at the effect this has on me. “While I do appreciate a kiss,” I say, “that didn’t exactly answer my question. What are you doing here?”

Alex chuckles. “All the work you’re going to be doing, and I haven’t even paid a deposit yet. I needed to go for a walk anyway, so I just made a payment with your mother. She’s lovely, by the way.”

“Oh. Thank you.” I want to reach for him. To find out if the heat between us will melt away my nervousness. To ask him if my innocently dirty career will freak him out in the long run. “I was just about to grab a couple of bags to finish mixing this soil, then I can scrub up.”

“Shall I wait here?”

“Sure. Take a look around at the plants, see if there’s anything that catches your eye.”

I hurry out the back door to the shed and grab two bags, stacking them in my arms. The potting soil is kind of heavy, but perlite weighs almost nothing, so it evens out.

As I approach the door to go back inside, I hear a thump, followed by a muttered, “Oh shit.No.”

I shoulder the door open, then shuffle inside to find out what’s wrong. I don’t see Alex. When I turn the corner around the largest shelf, I drop the bags to my feet and blink in surprise.

Alex is on his knees on the dirty workroom floor, gently pressing spilled soil back into a snake plant pot. He’s nothesitating in the slightest, really digging his fingers in. Getting dirt under his nails.

The sigh of relief rolls out of me in waves. He’s not a hardcore clean freak or germaphobe at all.

There’s a chance he can get past my slightly unusual but amazing career. And that means…

There’s a chance for us.

12

ALEX

Looking around the huge workshop, I’m stunned by just how many kinds of greenery and different shades of green are packed onto the shelves. Leaves of every shape and tone. Vines…baby trees…some odd slightly twisted spikes with yellow edges.

Everything is so fresh and alive. Maybe I really have had my head buried in my work if I’ve never noticed that indoor plants truly are energizing.

I love that Jasmine has a job where she’s surrounded by nature and beauty. Where she’s in control of the work she does. Where she’s genuinely happy.

That’s all I want: for her to be truly happy. Which might mean I’ll need to ramp back my workload. No more zoning out for weeks at a time – even if it means hiring more staff. We certainly can afford it, after several great years in a row.

Wandering along the shelves, I wonder what kind of plants will end up in my office. I hope I get that tall one with the airy leaves, it’s fun. Stepping closer to it, I feel something shift near my waist, then there’s a dull thud.

Looking down, my heart sinks when I see that I’ve knocked one of Jasmine’s twisty spiky plants off the workbench. Dammit. It’s fallen right out of the pot, with its bare roots on the chilly floor. That can’t be good.

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