Page 10 of Chasing Lyric
He laughs.
Hallmark hero over here’s laughing at my predicament.
“I’m essentially here to buy some flowers. I know my bunch won’t make up for the flowers you lost to Doughnut’s stomach, but let me help. Every bit counts, right?”
Curiosity runs through me. “Oh, for your… girlfriend?” I ask before I think.
A sly smirk covers his features. “No, for my mom. Dad forgot to get her a bunch for her birthday yesterday. He’s too busy today. So, he sent me on an errand to grab them for her… thought I’d get some for her, too.”
My heart skips a beat. He’s a family man.Swoon.
“You’re close to your relatives, then?”
He dips his head like he’s pondering the notion. “We don’t always see eye to eye, but for the most part, we’re close.”
I let out a scoff. “I feel you on the not-always-seeing-eye-to-eye part.”
He tilts his head. “Your family the same?”
I roll my shoulders, sore from carrying Doughnut around. “You have no idea.”
“So, ah… you work in the florist here long?” he asks, turning to glance back at my shop.
My face alights, and I feel warmth flood through me. “You could say that, I own it.”
His eyes find mine again.
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
My breath catches in my throat as he stares at me.
“That’s a great accomplishment. Your shop has quite a reputation in Orange County. It’s why I came out here to get a couple of nice arrangements.”
Opening my eyes wide, I’m a little shocked. I knew business was booming, but I had no idea word had spread so far.
This is great news.
“Wow! Thanks for telling me. It’s nice to know we’re doing well.”
His killer smile greets me again, and I liquefy inside. “Well, one thing I do know is if you deliver a quality product time and time again, youwillreap the rewards.”
“Spoken like a true salesman.”
He glances down at Doughnut once more.
Suddenly, I realize, Hallmark is the problem solver to my bigger issue. “So, you know Doughnut and his owners, right?”
He dips his head. “Sure do. He belongs to my old friend Rip and his brothers up in the San Fernando Valley. I can call them to come get him if you like. They’ll be worried sick.”
My stomach churns with guilt. “Oh, no, that’s not necessary. I can take Doughnut back to them, seeing as I kinda took him on a road trip. I just need their address.”
He rubs his chin, the move sexy as sin as he ponders. “Why don’t I come with you? I haven’t seen Rip in ages, and I need to catch up with him anyway.”
I tense.
Is he seriously asking to take a small road trip with me?I mean, we’ve known each other all of five minutes, and this god-like GQ cover model wants to spend time…with me?
