Page 18 of Love in Full Bloom

I take a sip of my latte to hide my smile. "It was... perfect. His property is amazing, Elena. Five acres that he's transforming into this incredible blend of wild and cultivated spaces. And he actually values my perspective on plants. He asked for my input on a section he's designing."

"Input on his garden? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" Elena waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

"Stop!" I laugh, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "It wasn't like that. Well, not entirely."

"Oh my god, details immediately." She sets down her coffee cup with such enthusiasm that some sloshes over the side.

"We kissed." I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. "And it was... wow."

"Just kissed?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Yes, just kissed. It's only been a few days since we met." But even as I say it, I know that time doesn't really matter here. The connection between Ben and me feels deeper than the brief span we've known each other.

"And? When are you seeing him again?"

"Tomorrow evening. He's coming to my studio. To see my work," I add quickly when she gives me another suggestive look.

"I'm sure that's all he wants to see." Elena grins, then her expression softens. "Seriously though, I'm happy for you. You're practically glowing. It's been a long time since I've seen you this excited about someone."

"I know. It's just..." I trace the rim of my mug with my finger, trying to find the right words. "He gets me, Elena. Not just my art, but me. The way I see the world. And he doesn't think it's silly or impractical."

"Why would he think that?" Elena frowns slightly.

I shrug, uncomfortable with the question. "You know how people can be. They think artists are flighty or unrealistic. Especially when you paint things most people consider weeds."

"Speaking of which, how's the commission for the Hendersons coming? They're still set on the wildflower meadow piece for their dining room, right?"

"Almost finished. I just need to add some final details to the foreground. I think they'll love it."

We chat about work for a while—her promotion at the marketing firm, my upcoming gallery showing, the commission I need to complete this week. It feels good, normal. But my mind keeps drifting back to Ben, to the way he looked at me when we said goodbye, like he couldn't wait to see me again.

As we're finishing our coffees, the bell above the door chimes, and I glance up to see my friend Mara entering with a woman I don't recognize. Mara spots us and waves, making her way over to our table.

"Hey, you two!" She smiles brightly. "This is Sophie, my new colleague from the design department." She turns to the woman beside her. "Sophie, this is Elena and Jasmine."

We exchange pleasantries, and Mara asks about my festival showing. I tell her about the sales and the positive feedback, feeling that familiar rush of pride and gratitude.

"That's amazing, Jas!" Mara beams. "I knew people would connect with your work. Oh, and how was the garden thing with the landscape guy? Did that happen yet?"

"This morning," I confirm, unable to keep the smile from my face. "It was wonderful."

"Ooh, details!" Mara pulls up a chair, gesturing for Sophie to join us. "Is he as dreamy as his portfolio suggests?"

"Even dreamier," I admit, feeling my cheeks warm again. "And he has this incredible property he's designing himself. It's like nothing I've ever seen—this perfect balance of structure and wildness."

"Just like the two of you," Elena interjects with a smirk.

I roll my eyes at her, but can't deny the accuracy of her observation.

"Wait," Sophie says, looking interested. "Is this Ben Thompson? The landscape architect who did the Riverside Plaza renovation?"

"Yes, that's him." I'm surprised she knows his work. "Do you know him?"

"Not personally, but I've admired his designs for years. My firm collaborated with his on a commercial project last year." Sophie takes a sip of her coffee. "He's incredibly talented. Very detail-oriented and precise. Not the type I'd expect to be interested in..." She pauses, gesturing vaguely toward me.

"In what?" Elena asks, her tone suddenly cooler.

Sophie seems to realize her misstep. "Oh, I just meant... his aesthetic is so structured and architectural. Very clean lines and deliberate compositions. And your work is more..." She searches for a word. "Whimsical? Free-form? I'm just surprised, that's all. You seem like artistic opposites."

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