Page 17 of Estranged Heart
“Cool. It’s really good to have you back, man.” Reese pats me on the shoulder before walking to the back.
Rows of flowers have me smiling instantly and the sweet scent wraps around me like a warm hug. For a moment, I feel more at peace than I have in months and breathing comes easier. Then, when I stand behind the counter, the front doors ring open and one look into the eyes of the stranger entering has all the blood rushing to my head.
“Hello,” he says, his voice deep and smooth, causing the hairs to rise on the back of my neck.
“Hi,” is all I manage to say, the rest of my words catching in my throat.
“I’d like to place an order. Can I do that here or should I call it in? The last place I stopped at said they were pretty booked. I’m really hoping you guys have some openings.” He steps closer, his brows rising. I know him. I’ve seen his face before but I don’t know where or why he’s causing a strange reaction within me?
I can’t even explain what’s going on inside me at this moment. Chaos, warmth, a strong want, and confusion all at once. A sweet scent of wine hits my nose. My heart pounds in my chest, almost as if it’s dancing and singing. Strange.
“Yeah,” I finally respond, pulling myself out of the trance he had me in. “We can do it here. Do you know what you’re needing, or would you like to see what we have?”
He shuffles in place, appearing a little hopeless and lost. “I have no clue what I’m doing, if I’m being honest.” He releases an awkward chuckle.
“Honesty is always a good place to start.” I pull out a few photo albums displaying an array of arrangements. “What’s the occasion you’re shopping for? Anniversary, wedding, birthday, or something else?”
His face drops and his hooded eyes tell me everything I need to know before he can say the word.
“Funeral.” He shoves his hands in his back pockets, leaning more on one side, coming off more vulnerable than before. It’s the first time he’s said the word out loud and he’s struggling. “I . . . My husband passed away and my friend thought it would be a good idea since he loved flowers.” His face is pained and my heart cracks in two. This could’ve been Stacey with someone else standing behind this desk. We don’t all get a second chance, and right now I don’t feel deserving of it. This poor man.
Reaching below the counter again, I grab another book and lay it on top of the others. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m more than happy to show you the different options we have. What was his favorite flower?”
“Lilacs.”
I smile, flipping through the pages. “Wonderful choice. He had good taste. Here are a few arrangements that could work.” I push the book closer to the edge and he inches closer to take a peek.
“Thanks.” His eyes leave mine and drop to the first page.
I don’t realize my hand is still in the way until he tries to flip the page and his fingers graze mine. Tingles dance along the skin he touches and I quickly pull back, my head spinning and body craving to be back where it was. What the fuck? This man is a stranger and we don’t exactly play for the same team. Or, I didn’t think I did.
“Everything okay?”
I look up into his big brown eyes and this time I allow myself to get lost in them for a little longer. My breathing is once again all over the place, and I remember where I’ve seen him before—my dreams. He’s a real person. Who is he, and why does he keep invading my sleep? What I want to know more than anything is why I want to keep him here for as long as I can.
I don’t know him, but something inside me does, and it’s calling for him to come closer. “Sorry . . . I . . . got a paper cut and they always take me by surprise.”
The corners of his mouth curl. “They really are painful for being so small. Can I see?”
“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. We should go back to focusing on your order. That’s more important.”
“The person handling it is too. How else can I expect everything to go right if you’re too beat up by paper to do your job properly?” He smirks and my cheeks heat. Oh my God, I think I’m blushing. I’m too old for that and this isn’t the right time. Not when he’s staring right at me and all the sunshine from outside is blazing through the glass door putting me more on the spot.
Letting out a shaky laugh, I stand taller, reaching for the book again. My hand accidentally lands on his and this time I take longer to pull it back. He’s so warm and inviting. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to play a round of rock, paper, scissors with you.”
“It’s okay. It was my favorite game growing up.” He gives me a cheeky smile.
“Isn’t it every kid’s? I mean, how else do you figure out who’ll do something first?”
“That’s a fair point. Too bad deciding on the right flower arrangement can’t be as easy.”
Looking down at the option his fingers are still on, I place the tips of mine on the same image. “I think what you’ve chosen so far is perfect. Subtle but beautiful.”
“Yeah.” He perks up a little. “Very fitting for Landon.”
“That was your husband’s name?” Why does it sound familiar?
He nods, swallowing hard. “It was.”
