Page 34 of Violet Moon
“Somehow I knew you’d be in here,” Emmaline said.
“Were you looking for me?”
“No, just needed a few flowers for the bakery and thought you might be in here, too.It’s a nice place to start your day, isn’t it?”
Sera smiled.“My favorite.Though, your day started a while ago, didn’t it?”
“Regular sleep is a concept I’ve long since forgotten.I sleep when I want to.I’m awake when I have things I want to do.Plus that handsome bear of mine still enjoys mornings and I can only take so much stomping around before I’m up for good.”Emmaline chuckled.“What are you bringing to Parisa this afternoon?”
“Roses,” Sera replied, holding up a few fresh clippings.
“A special occasion?”
“No, just feeling drawn to them.”
“Maybe it’s a sign that they’re speaking to you.Roses can symbolize a lot of good things, not just passionate love like everyone immediately thinks.White roses can mean a celebration of new beginnings, yellows can be friendship or warmth, and pinks bring admiration and joy.”
“To me they’re just pretty.”
“I know it might be silly, but I love the language of flowers, and I enjoy sneaking messages onto people’s tarts.”Emmaline regarded the flowers with a soft smile.“Those pansies of yours can say ‘think of me,’ and their cousin, the violet, can say so many things: honesty, devotion, or an invitation to take a chance on a new love.Your daisies, too.Those are often used as a sign of deep attachment.They can say ‘I’m yours.’I kind of hope when I sneak a few of these violets and use them today that they send a good message -- whatever the customer needs it to be.”
“That’s sweet,” Sera replied, but her mind was running away with another thought.Did she want her flowers to mean something when she gave them to Parisa?
“Of course, none of that would be possible without all your love and care for these little ones.”
“It’s nothing.Just my small contribution,” she said.Her voice sounded far away to her own ears.
Was Hugh right?Was the way she felt for Parisa more like romantic love than the platonic love she’d always considered it to be?
“Hardly a small contribution!You keep the shop looking lovely and help make sure we have more fresh vegetables on our plates.”
“Only some.We still have to buy a lot.”
“Still, it’s nice to have them close by.Take the compliment, will you?”Emmaline chuckled.
“Yeah.Sure.”Did she have feelings for Parisa beyond their friendship?She gave her flowers everyday.Talking to Parisa over tea and coffee was the best part of any day.But they were just close friends.Those were all things best friends could do and think.
Her heart beat faster and Emmaline looked at her with a sideways sort of glance that suggested she’d noticed.Sera chewed on her lip as she considered the time.She could talk through this flurry of confusion with Hugh before meeting with Parisa and Wilma.She had to get it out of her head.Even if she was late, it was necessary.
“You’ve just given me an idea,” Sera said, clipping a couple more pink and white roses.
“A good one, I hope,” Emmaline replied.
“I don’t know yet.”
Sera darted towards the door and grabbed her coat before heading down the path past the house, down to the bakery, and across the street towards the cafe, knowing Hugh would more than likely be there.If he wasn’t she would go hunting for him.
eleven
Seraskippedthelineand burst through the vampire cafe doors with a wild look in her eyes.Scanning the floor for Hugh, she didn’t see him in any of his usual spots, but she did see Eugene wiping down a table and she darted over to him.
“Hugh’s not here,” he said once he noticed her.“But can I get you something?Got a new syrup we mixed up today.Could be lovely.I hope.I think it is.Anyway, I bet you’d like it.”His smile was so warm and kind Sera had an impossible time figuring out how on earth Hugh found anything annoying about this soft, sweet man.
“Do you know where he might be?”She asked, then added, “But that sounds like a temptation I just can’t pass up if it wouldn't be a bother.”She was in a hurry but she couldn’t be rude.Also, potentially life-changing realizations demanded a treat.
A few minutes later, she left with determination and a warm cup of rich, spiced, caramel-flavored coffee in a to-go cup.
By the time she reached the bookstore, her coffee was gone and her hands were shaking from nerves and sugar.She could’ve tossed the cup but she held it in her hands to give them something to do besides shake at her sides.She beelined through every aisle in the long, narrow shop until she found exactly who she needed to talk to.
