Page 19 of True Soil-Mates

“On her birthday. Why?”

“Without her ordering you to de-stress, you wouldn’t have had an excuse to talk to me. Let’s go put together a bouquet for her.”

“Anything you want, gorgeous.”

I’ve done many odd things in my life, but choosing from various kinds of big square-ish roses is a first. But I think Jasmine appreciates the attempt even if I don’t know what a gerbera daisy is, or if it goes with lilies and those weird ferny branchy things.

Jasmine teaches me the code used when describing an arrangement. If it looks traditional and proper, florists call it “classic”. If it’s weird or offbeat, it’s “funky” or “eclectic”. Something old-fashioned or mismatched gets categorized as “rustic”.

Her mother and sisters are lovely, and seem thrilled that Jasmine and I are clearly together.

I can’t help noticing how often people come into the shop just to chat with Dahlia, not to buy anything. She’s just as friendly, but the light in her eyes always dims after people leave without her making a sale.

Once I pay for the bouquet we’ve designed, Jasmine joins me outside the shop. “Once you get all of the plants arranged however you like at my company, you’ll come every week to care for them, right?”

“Yes. We’re still figuring out our corporate program, so I’m sorry, I don’t know what the rates are yet.”

My hand waves dismissively, then tucks around her waist. “Whatever it ends up being, I want to be sure I’m paying full price. No boyfriend discount or anything.” Her expressive eyes light up. “You like the word boyfriend, baby?”

Her chin tips up and down quickly. “I…yeah… I had no idea how much.”

“Good. Does my lovely girlfriend have a business card?”

“There’s the store card. Shall I grab one for you?”

“Actually, no. Let’s wait until you have your corporate program set up. Hopefully you’ll add a page to your websitededicated to it. I have a lot of connections around Kingsville. I’ll personally message everyone and recommend you.”

Her hand flutters over her heart. “Oh, I can’t ask you to?—”

“You didn’t ask. I offered. I want to secure the future of your family business.” I smile. “That’s totally separate from the future of us, by the way – which, I hope, includes me picking you up in an hour for dinner at my place?”

Jasmine’s arms circle my shoulders as she pulls me in for a kiss, making the cellophane of the bouquet I’m holding crinkle. She nods to the arrangement. “I hope Carol likes them.”

“She already likes you, and that’s the real point.” My lips brush her ear. “So do I. See you soon.”

13

JASMINE

Alex gives me his list of suggestions for takeout places. Honestly, every kind of food is covered on his list, so I don’t feel deprived. And this way he can feel comfortable about our choice. I like that.

By the time we’re finishing up our paninis, our conversation has circled all over the place. But now it’s a bit different. Now, when Alex tells me about a cool museum or gallery, we’re also making plans to go there together.

He picks up the empty wrappers, tosses them in the trash, then scrubs his hands. As he sits down beside me again, he stares down at his palms. “You know… I do wash my hands a lot. It’s automatic, from working in labs my entire life. Sometimes I guess I blur the line between work life and home life.”

“It’s understandable. You spend so much time there.”

He takes my hands. “Will you help me adjust a bit more?”

My heart does that crazy squeezy thing it’s been doing a lot lately. “I don’t want to change you.”

His grin lights up his eyes. Holy smokes, I will never get tired of staring up at that handsome face in front of me. “Notchange. More like…a slight nudge?”

“Okay.” My head tips toward the kitchen window. “You have a beautiful spot right there for a small herb garden.”

“Perfect. The entire house could use some plants. Will you help me pick them out?”

“Of course.”

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