Page 2 of Renovating with the Mountain Man
I waved my hand towards her and the paper. “I give you complete control over the garden.”
“Great. But first, I need to see the room. What kind of light and shade we get will determine which plants would work.”
“How’s tomorrow morning, nine am? I can pick you up from here or your place, whatever is easier.”
“Here is fine. I’ll sketch some more ideas tonight. Mind if I keep this?”
“Not at all. See you in the morning, Phoenix.” I winked at her as I backed up slowly before leaving the shop. Her cheeks turned pink, and she could barely hold eye contact with me. That ghost of a smile was back, ruining me from the inside out, after only such a short time of knowing her.
Oh, she liked me.
She really, really liked me.
I liked her, too.
CHAPTER TWO
Phoenix
“He’s a handsome one,”Amara said as we worked on filling the last of the day’s orders.
My cheeks flushed and I busied myself with the bundles of baby breath, making sure they were even, a task I already had finished. I couldn’t make eye contact, nor did I know what to say without being blatantly obvious.
I had an insta crush on the sexy mountain man.
“Thane’s known him for a long time. He’s a good guy. Takes care of his Gran who raised him. Though now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with a woman. Hmm. Maybe he hasn’t found the right one yet.”
I said nothing and continued fiddling with the flowers, not a single thing accomplished in the five minutes I’ve stood here like a deer caught in headlights.
“I’ll have to ask Thane.” Amara mused as Chevelle breezed into the backroom.
“Ask Thane what?” Chevelle said as she set down the bags in her arms, all of them bursting with flowers. She was the otherflorist who worked here. Chevelle was loud and outgoing, the opposite of my sky, quiet persona. She was funny and kind, and her floral arrangements were serious goals. Amara, my boss, was one of the sweetest people I’d ever met, and I couldn’t be happier to work with two amazing women.
But I still found myself guarded and closed off.
Unless we talked about plants of course.
I’d smile and make casual chit chat, but it took me a long time to open up. Though I could feel my shell cracking with every day that passed.
Probably why my mom was my best friend, not having many friends during my school years, and too shy to even think about talking to a boy. Eventually, I went on a date or two, had my first kiss, but as far as love? Nope, didn’t happen for me.
“Why Lyric hasn’t had a girlfriend. At least one I’ve seen.” Amara answered.
Chevelle’s eyes lit up as they widened. “Oh, the tall, dark, and handsome one on Thane’s crew? He’s a looker.”
I couldn’t help the small giggle that escaped my throat, both women looking at me with amused, yet puzzled expressions. “Sorry, it’s funny to hear you both gush over men when you both have your own hot mountain men!”
Amara threw her head back in laughter. “Oh, sweetie, you’ll learn soon enough that the endless stream of handsome mountain men doesn’t end around here, even when you score your own. So have fun browsing the menu, you just can’t order when you’re locked in. Luckily for you, you can indulge. But watch out for that love bug.”
“Oh yeah, it hits hard and fast. I didn’t want to believe Amara when she first told me. Until it happened to me that very same day.” Chevelle laughed loudly and shook her head. “Wooo, it’s powerful, watch out, Phoenix!”
“I think I’m safe, guys. I grew up in Appleridge. Been around mountain men my whole life. Haven’t fallen for one yet.” I said while my cheeks burned a thousand degrees. I was sure if I looked in the mirror, they’d be flaming red.
“Just haven’t found the right one yet. Happens fast for some, slow for others. Either way, you can enjoy a fun project with the hot mountain man for the next few days.” Amara jostled me playfully in the side with her elbow.
“Wait, back it up. Did I hear that right?” Chevelle clapped and did a little jig dance. “You are working with Lyric?”
My entire body flushed, and my heart raced in my chest.
