Page 29 of Chasing Love: The Owens
“Greenery is boring.”
“Well, it might be boring, but it makes the flowers shine. It’s like your backdrop and will barely even be noticed, but you can pick some fillers too. Sweet peas or larkspur might be nice.”
“How about we dumb this down for me? I point, you pick. If you want to name them, fine—but I’ll forget.”
I laugh. “Sure thing.”
She points, I pick, and soon I’m arranging the bouquet in my hand, varying heights, centering the sunflower. I add a few unexpected touches for texture, something soft and playful.
I hold it out, and her eyes widen. “Wow. You’re amazing at your job. Earl! Come see what this young lady just made!”
“I’d rather not,” Earl mutters. “It’s been longer than five minutes.”
“Sorry,” Poppy says behind us. “I’m sure he’ll be here any second. This is very unlike him.”
“Let’s trim the ends. Do you want to put it in the mason jar now or wait till you’re home?”
She leans in. “If I carry a mason jar of water all the way home, I’ll look like I peed myself by the time we get there.”
“Then I’ll tie it together and wrap it in kraft paper. All you have to do is add some water and slip it into the jar when you get home. Sound good?”
“Sounds too easy. Don’t be upset if they’re dead in a day.”
I stand from the stool. “You’ll keep them alive for a week, I bet.”
“No, she won’t,” Earl calls from the front, constantly within earshot.
I lean down and whisper, “I believe in you.”
Her face lights up. “I really like you.”
As I walk to grab the kraft paper, warmth blooms in my chest. I’d forgotten how good it feels to make someone smile. To create something beautiful out of what they thought was nothing. Thanks, Rosie. I owe you one.
The bell rings, and Bennett barrels in, cheeks flushed. “I’m so sorry, Earl.”
“Fifteen minutes late. Might want to get that watch checked,” Earl mutters. “Rosie, he’s here.”
“Again, I’m sorry. Let’s go to my office.”
Bennett glances at me, then Poppy, before weaving through the tables.
“Perfect timing. She just finished my bouquet,” Rosie says. “I’ll grab it on the way out, darling.”
“It’ll be ready for you.”
Bennett stops at his office door, and I hold up the bouquet. His mouth lifts in a small smile. Our eyes meet, and for a breath, we hold each other’s gazes. Then he opens the door and motions for Earl and Rosie to go in first.
“Man, I can’t breathe.” Poppy clutches her throat.
“What’s wrong?”
“All the sexual tension in the shop. You’d think I had allergies or something.” She flashes me a teasing grin.
I bump my shoulder into hers, and she laughs.
God, for a little while there, I forgot all about my problems. And it felt really, really good.
Chapter Fourteen
