Page 2 of Timeless Valentine

I laugh with him, heading for the cooler. "What size bouquet would you like?"

He shrugs those incredible shoulders, making it impossible not to stare. "Whatever size is tasteful." He pauses, tipping hishead from side to side. "Okay, leaning toward extravagance, but not too over the top. Money is no object, put it that way."

Wouldn't that be nice, I think to myself, going into the cooler to gather his flowers. When I reach the roses, I point to each stem in turn, getting his nod of approval through the glass before taking it. I add daisies, lilies, fresh greenery, and then bring it all to the worktable in the back.

I've become incredibly quick at arrangements, so it's just a few moments later when I bring the bouquet to him in the front. "Damn," he mutters, staring in appreciation. "You're fast. That looks great."

I tape the paper around the arrangement closed, noticing that he's already written out a gift card with tidy printing. When I ring him through, Leo doesn't even glance at the total.

His eyes drop to my name tag, then he smiles at me. "Thank you so much for your help, Grace. You're right – this was much better than ordering online."

"Good. I’m glad. I hope that you'll come back for other birthdays. And of course, for Valentine's Day next week."

He was just picking up the bouquet, but now he sets it down again. "Dammit. It's that close?"

"Yes. So today would be the day to make an order. I promise that our delivery guy is a lot more reliable than our website guy." Every time I make him smile or chuckle, it feels like I've won a prize.

"Great. I'll need four arrangements."

"Wow, that's a lot of girlfriends." My fingers flutter to hide my mouth. "Sorry. None of my business."

He's already laughing. "No, no girlfriend. No wife. But I do have four women that work in my—" His head shakes, slightly rustling his thick chestnut hair. "Sorry, three arrangements, for three women. My assistant just quit."

"I'm sorry to hear that." He really does seem like the type of guy who needs an assistant. Who doesn't notice that February fourteenth is just around the corner?

Pulling out a brochure, I point at various options until we settle on something that is perky rather than romantic, and won't take up too much space on a desk.

He orders three identical arrangements to be delivered around ten am on February fourteenth, swiping his card again as if the money doesn't matter in the slightest.

"Great. Is there anything else I can help you with?" I ask.

"No. But thanks for reminding me that I have to deal with my assistant's departure as soon as I get to the office." He looks genuinely disturbed.

"I'm sure that some of the other people in the office could help you get up and running?"

Leo exhales heavily. "Maybe. She had just finished organizing all of my appointments and upcoming meetings in some new program that I've never used. I tried to open it yesterday, and couldn't even get into it."

He attempts a smile. "I don’t suppose you know any HourFlow software experts, do you?"

I should just send him on his way. Yet the thought of not seeing that incredible smile again makes me blurt, "Actually, I do. I've been using it myself at my main job for the past six months."

He frowns. "You have two jobs?"

I laugh at his horrified look. "Three, actually. HourFlow is pretty easy to pick up, but you're right, that first hour and a half makes your head spin. I've been through all of the tutorials and found the shortcuts. I could probably teach you the basics in half an hour."

His frown deepens. "Three jobs? When do you rest?"

"Sunday evenings, from five until nine," I laugh again. "Where is your office?"

He gives me an address that is thankfully only eight blocks from my main day job.

"If I take the first bus, I could get there by ten to eight. I can show you the basics, get you comfortable with it by eight thirty or so, then I'll have to run to work."

It is almost too much when he directs that megawatt smile straight at me. "I really appreciate it. I'll come pick you up, you're doing me a favor. Where do you live?"

It's only after I give him my address that I realize I've just told a total stranger where I live. He certainly seems trustworthy, though. Jerks and creeps aren't normally so concerned about selecting the perfect flowers for an aunt's birthday, are they?

"How do you take your coffee?" he asks.

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