Page 4 of Somebody Else Will

“Sorry,” she said as she blushed. “Shall we go inside?”

I nodded as I scanned her body. There was no way I would be hiding my attraction to this beautiful woman. We casually walked toward the entrance as I asked, “So how long have you been in business?”

“About ten years or so.”

“You don’t look old enough to have been in business that long.”

She gave me the side-eye. “Flattery won’t get you a cheaper rate.”

I chuckled. She was straightforward. I liked that. “I’m not looking for a cheaper rate. I’m just making conversation and stating my observations.”

“Mm-hmm. I’m thirty-five, so I’m old enough.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed that. I thought you were younger than me, and I’m thirty-two.”

She nodded as I opened the door. When she walked inside, she said, “Thank you.”

Her mouth opened slightly as she looked around, then began taking pictures with her phone. “This place is gorgeous.”

“Yeah, it is. My cousin did well picking this out,” I said, agreeing with her as I looked around.

I watched her walk around, taking pictures as she went, while the planner met me in the foyer area. “Hello, Mister Wheeler. I take it you find this venue suitable for the celebration.”

“I do. Thank you, Miss Mattison.”

“Umm… I’d inquired about services from another floral company. I didn’t realize you were doing that part yourself.”

I frowned slightly. “I told your assistant that I was hiring my own florist.”

“Wow. I guess she didn’t relay that.”

I watched her face redden, then I turned my attention back to Denishia’s fine ass. I loved a woman with meat on her bones, and Denishia’s body assured I would have all the protein I needed.Shit!I would definitely have to shoot my shot before she left. As she approached us, she smiled. “I have so many ideas. Once I get back to my office, I’m going to sketch out my ideas. Are there any particular flowers or colors you wanted?”

“Well, the color scheme is white, black, and gold,” the event planner responded.

I frowned slightly, because Denishia wasn’t speaking to her. She didn’t even know who she was. Denishia glanced at her with a frown on her face, before asking, “And you are?”

“I’m sorry. I’m Jackie Mattison, the event planner.”

She nodded. “I’m Denishia Boswell, owner of Happily Ever After Floral Shop.”

I could tell there was some tension with how Jackie interrupted our conversation, so I rudely stood in front of her and said, “My mama’s favorite color is red. So I think red and white flowers would be nice.”

The smirk that appeared on her lips almost made me laugh. She was about that foolishness, too, and I could tell it was a challenge for her to remain professional. “Okay. I should have a sketch by Friday morning. We can make changes as you see fit.”

“You’ll email the picture of it?”

“Yes. I’ll text you later to get your email address.”

I nodded, then grabbed her hand and shook it slightly. “Thank you for coming to see what I needed. You’re going to email me your invoice?”

“I don’t charge for consultations. I don’t charge anything until the job is locked in. If you like the sketch, I’ll give you a contract for the work.”

“But you drove all the way here.”

“I… don’t… charge… for… consultations, Mister Wheeler.”

I gave her a one-cheeked smile, then stepped from in front of Jackie. She was pissed, and I could see it not only in her facial expression, but in her demeanor. Her weight was shifted to oneside, and I could have sworn she’d rolled her eyes. She quickly smiled and nodded as Denishia smiled at her.

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