Page 14 of Bloom and Burn
He pauses, turning around abruptly as if he just remembered something. I tilt my head to the side, giving him an expectant nod.
“About this getting to know the locals…” He glances at his watch and shoots me a flirtatious wink. “Feeling hungry? I could use some company. Besides, I should probably wait with that call. No one likes to be disturbed with work stuff until after their lunch break ends…”
I grin like an idiot. Hell-fucking-yes! This means he’s totally into me, right?Right?
“I don’t know…” I twirl a longer lock of my hair around my finger.
“My treat. And you pick the place.”
“Say no more.” I almost jump from excitement. “Gimme like half an hour and I’ll be ready. If that’s okay. I’m waiting on a delivery.”
“Sure, I’m not in a rush and it’s not exactly lunch time yet. I’ll wait in my car.”
My professional behavior lasts until he leaves the shop, at which point I can’t help but squeal. Holy shit, I can’t believe he actually did it. I’m going on a date withJack Keller. I snicker, busying myself with a couple bouquets until the delivery arrives. Once I’ve sorted that out, I take off my apron, and then spend a minute in front of the mirror to make sure I look good. Cute. Totally bitable.
This is crazy. But also the best. And if I am lucky, the food at the new pizza place is not the only thing I’ll get to taste.
6
Jack
Can’tbelieveIdidthis. I actually asked Ryan out on a date.
I didn’t plan on it, but the words sort of just came out. Fuck, I’m getting nervous. But I don’t regret it. And that radiant smile he showed off? It was so damn cute I had to exert extra self-control not to smooch his smartass mouth.
“This looks new,” I say as we get out of my SUV and head for the restaurant. It’s a pizza and burger place, not far from the Blooming Orchid.
“Yeah, they opened recently. I am yet to try it.”
“Hmm, should I be honored? That you chose me as company for such an important milestone?”
Ryan chuckles, his pleasant laugh reverberating through me. God, I just love making him smile.
“Totally. Here’s hoping the food holds up to the company though,” he says, shooting me a sexy little wink.
He’s so much fun. And he’s also willing to relocate the shop for me. I still can’t believe it, even if it’s his parents that have to sign the contract.
We claim a table along the window overlooking the place’s back garden. It actually doubles as a hotel, with a couple of suites available on the second floor. We order today’s specials, which arrive promptly and smell like heaven.
“This is so good,” Ryan moans around a bite of his cotto ham and mushroom pizza.
I mirror him with a groan of my own as I taste the juicy butter chicken burger I ordered. “This was a good call. Definitely.”
“Gimme a bite of that.” He holds up his hand, offering me a slice of his pizza.
His appetite is impressive. Judging by his narrow frame and small size, you wouldn’t guess he had it.
I pass him my burger. “Shit, this is so good, too. I could eat this every day.”
We don’t really say much as we demolish our food, leaving the chatting for when we get our desserts. I opt for ice-cream and he gets a slice of chocolate and almond cheesecake.
“So, tell me about yourself, Ryan. How’d you decide to run a flower shop?” I say, taking a scoop of vanilla and bourbon.
He studies his cheesecake and his gaze kind of goes dark. Intense, like he’s never seen a cake before in his life. The way he stabs the dessert without taking his eyes off it is deliberate and slow, sending a scorching thrill down my back.
“Well…” He hums, pausing with a forkful of cheesecake at his mouth.
My eyes zero in on it as anticipation stirs inside my gut. I don’t know why, but there’s just something erotic about the way he’s enjoying his dessert, and I can’t help but stare in expectation of what will happen next. My awkward interest is soon rewarded as he licks his lips first, then wraps them around the fork and eats the cheesecake piece.
