2X The Heat (2X The Pleasure 1)

I need to stop before I make myself late. The weather was hot so I wore linen instead of cotton. The shop was farther in the city so I took out my Tesla for the first time in a while. I realized I was paying an arm and leg for storing cars that I never drive.

I followed the directions and got to the floral shop a bit early. They weren’t open yet. Emilia’s was the name, and it fit. I peeked in the window, the flowers were beautiful, of course. Whoever it was did a good job with the gala, so I am sure they will do great with the wedding. I smiled softly when I saw the lilacs in the front, it was like my mother was reminding me to be nice and charitable. Help a friend in need and all that.

I leaned against the wall and waited, I’m sure she would be here eventually. I busied myself with old emails, just checking on my stocks and the day trades. But it was taking too long. I waited, and waited. Then noon came around and still nothing. I double checked the address, and I was in the right place.

I couldn’t believe she was a no show. Mom made her sound so professional, and she obviously was judging from her past work. So why the hell did she waste my time? I waited until ten after, maybe something happened. But by half after I was done waiting, I left in anger.

I sped off back to the city and stopped at the red light almost too late. Maybe I got pissed easily, but I just didn’t like being stood up, or when people don’t show up to meeting that they confirm. She replied Levi’s email so I know she knew about it.

As if I didn’t have enough to deal with, the car started ringing from a Bluetooth phone call. I pressed the answer button without checking who it was.

“Hello?” I barked.

“Someone is pissy.” I recognized that sultry, Latin voice. Gabriella had always been hot, I mean I’m not blind. But she has always been Levi’s.

We used to double date a lot when I met Vivian. But they never got along, good thing I guess.

“Hi, Gabriella.” I sighed, trying to calm down. Maybe something just came up and she contacted Levi instead of me. but I never like tardiness or anything like that. My employees knew meeting days were nothing to play with. My time was precious. I could have been sleeping.

“I just wanted to call and thank you for helping us out. Levi is working so hard on this case.”

“Yeah, he is. It’s no problem.”

“Did you already meet with the florist? I was hoping I could see some pictures. I have rounds for the next twelve hours.” I gritted my jaw in annoyance again.

“I didn’t. She didn’t show up.”

“Aw, well I was hoping I could get that done today. I was trying to stay on track as much as I could since the other florist quit. I guess I just have bad luck with florists.” She trailed off. Fuck, she sounded pretty sad.

“I’ll call her and tell her to get her shit together. Don’t worry about it.”

She gasped, “really?” I smiled a bit. See, I can be nice.

“Yeah. I’ll call you later.”

I hung up. I stopped at the Starbucks around the corner for some iced coffee. I needed serious caffeine and something to really cool me off. Then I called the florist and it went to voicemail after two rings. Seriously?

So, I just took the opportunity to leave an angry voicemail, asshole move. But I was mad.

“Miss Michelle, this is Tristan Cox. We were scheduled to meet today and I was waiting outside your shop for you to show up, but you didn’t. Obviously. The bride and I are on a tight schedule, so we need to meet today. Call me back.”

I pressed end, almost cracking the phone in the process. Maybe that’s an exaggeration but I was close enough. Once I finished my coffee, I still hadn’t gotten a reply. So, I called her again, and there was still no answer. I had half a mind to find another one, but apparently, a two-week deadline isn’t something florists are very fond of. If we wanted to stay on track, we’re sort of stuck with the no show girl. I was already invested in this, I take things very seriously. It may seem like only a favor but I go for things head on. And it pisses me off when other people block me.

I hate to think ill of the girl, but she needs to answer her damn phone. Maybe she got in a wreck or something. That would be the only acceptable excuse right now.

I got ready to leave and was in my car when Levi called me.

“Hey, how did it go?” It was after one, he probably thought I had already met with her.

“She didn’t show up, man. Gabriella even called me earlier and she sounded pretty bummed about it. I told her I would try and meet with her today again. But she isn’t answering her phone.”

“Shit. I don’t think any other florist would agree to this deadline.”

“I know. I’ll try my best, just worry about your case. I’ll let you know if something is dire.”

“Thanks man, you are really helping me out. I gotta run.” He hung up.

I made a U-turn and headed back to the shop. Surely, she would be there by now, and if I cornered her in her work place, she definitely couldn’t run. If she did, she didn’t have any business running a shop. If I avoided every situation I didn’t want to be in back before I sold my company, it would never be worth millions of dollars.