2X The Heat (2X The Pleasure 1)

e had places to be.

“No, thanks. Maybe for the gala. One day I can actually pay you.” I smiled. He waved me off and slung his backpack back over his shoulder.

“Now worries, Emilia. I’m glad to help!” He was out the door before I could protest.

I kept working. There was actually a lot to do, and I just kept postponing it. But by the end of the work day I had organized all the flowers, trimmed down their stems, and prepared the usual orders for Sasha.

She usually came by in the morning. Maybe she would explain more about this charity ball happening on Saturday. I put my oversized sweater on, and locked up before I started the short walk to my studio apartment. Really, it was right around the corner and only took me one song to get there. Once inside, I popped in a frozen dinner and took a quick, hot shower. And it actually had to be quick because the hot water only lasted a few minutes.

It was a dingy place, but it was mine. The one small window I had was lined with an array of plants, daisies mostly because they were my favorite. Right next to it was my bed, well it was just a mattress and box spring with a quilt I made from old tee shirts, but it was comfortable. I had a small bedside table that mostly held a bunch of clutter, and a small couch that only held laundry I refused to fold. My television was my laptop, and the kitchen might as well be the bathroom. Yeah, not much. But it was all mine.

Once I settled in with Netflix and my lasagna, I called Ivy. She and I had been friends since high school. These days, that was a really long time. We went to the same college, the state school here. Iowa had good schools regardless.

“Hey, I was just about to call you!” Ivy had such a chipper voice, I wondered how she could always have so much energy.

Her job was way more stressful than mine. She was an up and coming designer and assistant, which meant she had to be at her boss’s beck and call, planned all the shows for him, handle orders, then find time for her own designs.

“How odd, how was today?” I put her on speaker and settled into the couch.

“Ugh, horrible. I just now got back. I was about to find something to eat. What about you? How is the shop coming?”

I just got into the official shop space last week, I had been working out of the makeshift greenery I made of the roof, behind the landlord’s back.

“Pretty well. Sasha actually just gave me this huge order. To handle the floral and gardening for a charity ball on Saturday.”

“Oh shit, that’s good, isn’t it? You don’t sound happy.” She accused correctly.

“Yeah. It’s just a lot. I want to do a good job.” I explained.

“Oh, for sure. Don’t even worry about it, your work is amazing. How will you finish the order though?” I hadn’t even thought of that. Every flower in my shop won’t be enough, and it wasn’t even the theme I already had mustering up in my head.

“I hope to ask her about that tomorrow. I’m sure she has a budget and everything.”

“What kind of charity?” she asked. I could barely hear her though, with the background noise and the sound of the microwave.

“A boys and girls club. It was one of the first ones her and her husband opened up.”

“What’s her name again? Wait, this is the same one that’s been buying from you all this time.”

“Yeah. Sasha Hallows. Her husband’s name is Bryan.”

“Oh yeah, they basically built the youth of this city. Whoa, she is like your fairy godmother or something. Except with flowers.”

“Sure, Ivy.” I laughed. “But still, I want to do well. This could open up a lot of doors, you know?”

“Yeah, I feel you. You will do great, don’t worry.” She stifled a yawn. Man, I was tired too. I hadn’t seen her in a few days either. Usually we don’t go that long without at least meeting for lunch or dinner.

“Thanks. You’re tired.” I stated.

“No, I want to talk. Can you bring a plus one to this gala?” I heard the smile in her voice.

“I don’t know. I will definitely ask, I don’t think I could go by myself anyway. Would you be able to go?”

She scoffed, “uh, duh! Why else would I have asked? I would love to be there for you, it’s your first big gig!”

“Aw, thanks.” I smiled to myself, eating the last of my lasagna. I have got to stop eating these things, the sodium is starting to pack where it shouldn’t be.

“No problem. What are you doing anyway?” She asked me.