2X The Heat (2X The Pleasure 1)

She was walking through the new array of sunflowers; their bloom was pretty much perfect this time. She looked like she belonged in a garden with her fuchsia sundress on, and her long hair flowing on its own. She must spend a fortune on her hair to keep it looking so healthy.

“Oh, please. You deserve it. Oh, I hope you don’t mind but a few of my friends asked about you and I gave them your number.”

My eyes widened in shock. That means connections, people know about me. Of course, I didn’t mind!

“No, not at all. That is very kind of you.”

She grabbed two bundles of the flowers and came over to the check-out desk. I rang her up, but she always gives me the same amount; a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill. I learned a long time ago that protesting it wouldn’t do anything for me.

“It’s no problem. I loved that arrangement, I almost didn’t want to take it down.” She smiled, the corners of her mouth only slightly wrinkling.

“Was the event a good turnout though?” I asked her.

“Oh yeah, we surpassed our goal. Bryan and I were very pleased.” Bryan was her husband and partner in crime. When I saw them together, I envied her but in a good way. I wanted that; to one day be so happy next to the love of my life. It was obvious how much he loves her, the way he looks upon her with such adoration.

“That’s amazing.” I wrapped up the flowers and tied them off with ribbon.

“Please, let me know if they call you. I’ll be back soon.” She waved over her shoulder as she headed out.

“I will, see you!”

She always came every week. The next time she came, I was preparing for the anniversary for a sweet, older couple. They said they were at the gala that night, and that the lilacs reminded me of their wedding. Of course, that brought my mind right back to that stranger.

I was currently free; all my events were finished. I hoped for another of course, but the last three exhausted me so I kind of just wanted to slow down. I took a long lunch and went to meet Ivy in the city. She worked in an office building and the design firm took up about ten floors. But there was a nice sky café we always went to there.

“Anything new today?” She asked me, furiously stabbing her salad with her fork.

“No. I’m still recovering from the last few weeks.” I told her.

She was doing well too, she had gotten a promotion to executive assistant. The only difference was a better pay and access to the dump closet. That’s what they call the room where they discard the old fashions. She was so good at her design though, that she manag

ed to make the striped romper she wore look like it was still in style.

“I can imagine. More work will come too, you’re official. Have you gotten the business cards yet?” She gasped.

“Ugh, no. I keep forgetting to go to the post office! They’re just sitting there.” I laughed, not believing I was that tired and busy.

“You’re insane…still thinking about that guy?” She asked. I made a face.

“Sometimes,” I shrugged. I think about him all the time, about how he felt and about how he made me feel. If I ever saw him again though, I don’t even know what I would do.

“You might run into him again. And if you just ask Sasha, you might find out who he is.” She scolded. She had been telling me to ask Sasha since day one, and I just couldn’t do it.

I don’t really take charge like that, and I wouldn’t know what to do if she gave me his contact info or anything. Yeah, I was adventurous that night, but that isn’t really who I am. And there is no way I can do it twice.

“I can’t. It’s fine anyway, he’ll be a distant memory soon.”

~

Back at the shop, I watered a few of the begonias sitting on the windowsill. They are outdoor plants, so I keep them by the window. I haven’t started putting anything out front yet because I still haven’t set up the surveillance cameras, and people steal the oddest things.

Once I did that, I was about ready to go. I tugged on my sweater and my phone went off with an email. I glanced at it, and didn’t recognize the sender’s address so I just held off looking at it until I got home.

Since it was the middle of the month, I went through my much-hated process of sending bill payments out so they would arrive before the fifteenth. Once I paid everything, I had a few hundred left over. I put some in savings, and kept the rest. If I needed something, it was nice to know I could pretty much just buy it now. Within reason, of course.

And I had real food.

I started making some chicken spaghetti, and sat in front of the television while the noodles cooked. I remembered that email and got to looking at it.