Page 4 of True Soil-Mates

Because as soon as I can speak to her without my heart spinning like a hamster in a wheel, that is happening.

3

JASMINE

Sitting so close to Alex with our coffees had made my heart feel like it was about to burst out of my chest. I tried so hard to look calm, but hemusthave noticed I was fluttering on the inside.

What’s going to happen when I’m alone with him?

On the walk back to the shop, I grin wildly at everyone I pass. It feels like I’m glowing. I’m sure everyone I pass will know that I suddenly have a gigantic crush. I’ve never been able to keep a poker face when it comes to my emotions. Even when it’s not appropriate to share them.

We were all so thrilled a few weeks ago when Violet booked her first corporate account. We definitely need more projects like that, but without any real connections to large businesses, it’s hard to tap into that market. But now this!

I hope that Alex doesn’t assume that his business is all I’m after. I really like him. I’ve never liked anyone this much, to be honest. He’s interesting, even though he’s a bit shy. Quiet. Possibly the kind of slightly nerdy scientist who doesn’t get out much.

But hey, I’m a bit nerdy in my own way, so maybe he won’t care that I’m kind of awkward around people sometimes.

Back at the shop, I make a mug of green tea, which always helps me think. We have an extensive collection of photos showing different kinds of plant displays. I sift through it and throw together several of my favorites that I think would work in the offices of a research facility. Things that I know I can construct easily, too.

After catching up with the rest of my work, I go upstairs to shower and change into something a bit nicer. Black pants and a teal top aren’t real office attire by any stretch, but more polished than my usual baggy jeans and t-shirts, mostly given as promo from various suppliers.

I almost make it out the door unnoticed, but then my older sister Iris spots me. “Hey, why are you all dolled up? You usually don’t care if you have mud on your clothes.” My other sister Violet immediately zooms over to listen in.

So much for a silent escape.

“I met a guy at Brody’s this morning. He runs a research lab and wants to de-stress the office. I’m going to drop in and take a look at the lighting situation, see what kind of plant displays might work.”

“Should I come too?” Violet asks. “Maybe I could design something that?—”

Iris jabs a quick elbow in her ribs. “Excuse me? Jasmine clearly wants to be alone with this guy. Look at the way she’s blushing already.”

They both laugh, and I prepare myself for a round of teasing, but Iris simply taps my arm playfully. “We need all the new accounts we can get. And if the guy is hot enough to put that look in your eyes, you need the excitement. Good luck!”

“And have fun!” Violet calls out as I drop my folder of photos into my shoulder bag and take off before Mom wonders what we’re chatting about.

The address is several blocks away, in a light industrial area I’ve never been to before. The building looks quite new – a three story ultra-modern glass and steel cube.

I ring the buzzer, and a split second later hear a voice squawking from the intercom that I can’t make out. A moment later, I watch through the window as Alex strides toward me. Wow, he’s really tall aswellas fit. He seems the slightly obsessive type, and that definitely extends to working out. He looks like he could lift a car or something.

I’ve never known what kind of man I would be interested in. Smart, handsome, and kind, of course, but now that I’ve seen how Alex inadvertently takes up so much space with his massive bulk, I’m adding that detail to the list.

“Jasmine!” The way he says my name while throwing open the door sends chills and fire straight up my spine at the same time. Wild. “Please, come in.”

He leads me past a large parcel room, then down a long white corridor to the reception area.

“With the thick cloud cover today, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get proper light readings,” I explain as I follow him. “But I can come back when it’s sunny. I’ll just take a rough guess for now.”

We arrive at Reception, and I take in the white walls, cream couches, and light gray marble floors. A little dull, but I’m glad to see there’s a huge east-facing window on one side. “I was thinking maybe a plant or two in here?” Alex asks, looking around. “There’s a lot of space. Maybe one of those miniature tree things?”

I pull out my folder, flip to a page and hold it up. “We could easily create something like this with glass shelving – an entire wall of plants in front of that window. It would give peoplesomething to look at other than their phones when they’re sitting here waiting.”

“Hmm.” He studies the page, then looks back at the window. His smile lights up his eyes, sending another strange but welcome prickle through me. “We don’t have guests very often, but it’s just kind of expected that you have a waiting area. I guess it might as well look nice in case we use it on special occasions.”

“For sure.” I don’t want to mention what a waste of space this is.

He snaps his fingers. “I overheard some employees saying that the lunchroom is small and dark. Would there be room for tables in here?”

“Definitely.” I drift around the room, pointing to imaginary furniture. “A huge plant shelf could go from here to here, and then we could put in some long…almost like picnic tables, but really clean lines. Think dark oak, soft, padded benches. There would easily be room for fifteen to twenty people to eat here.”

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