My heart is hammering as he approaches.
I don’t really know why I feel this way toward him, but…there’s something about Andy that’s familiar.
Even if he’s a hot, crackling flame, and I’m a still, quiet pond, I sense something of the same urgency in him.
For all his efforts, I feel that, like me, he just wants to be loved.
That he needs security and comfort he thinks the world can’t provide.
He stops at the door and gives me a grin.
“Morning, Minette. How’re the flowers?”
“Floral,” I say with a giggle. “What are you up to today?”
“Got places to go. I’ll see you around, though, yeah?”
“Hope so, yeah.”
I watch him walk away, striding down the street. His tight ass looks amazing in his snug pants. He walks with quick, snappy strides, daring anyone to get in his way.
Why would a gorgeous, intense, driven guy like him ever look at a girl like me? Plain brown hair, boring blue eyes. Works ten hours in her flower shop, then scuttles home again.
I don’t know anything about art. I’m not outgoing. I don’t engage in lively conversation.
At least, not anymore. Since the accident, I just find all that too difficult.
No doubt he has some intense and deep kind of girlfriend. Who has piercings and tattoos and makes art out of wire. Someone as interesting as him.
I’m still feeling down when my phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket. It’s Emilia.
“Hey, Emmy.”
“Hey, Min. How are you?”
“Good.” A smile spreads across my lips. “What’s up?”
“There’s a party upstairs tonight. I want you to come.”
I suppress a long sigh. “I really don’t know. Will there be many people?”
“Andy will be there. Well, I think Evan is inviting him. I don’t know. I need to talk to you about it. It’s all going to fucking hell.”
“Can’t we just share some wine at my place and talk? It will be nice and quiet—”
“Fuck’s sake, Minnie! You need to fucking get out! I’m seriously starting to worry about you. Have you gone out at all in the last few months?”
“Well, we went shopping. There were those times we went to the movies…”
“Minnie, that doesn’t count. I mean out, out. Wearing something sexy. Feeling alive. You know?”
“Maybe.” I’m thinking about Andy. He could make me feel alive.
“Well, I’m going to be at your place this afternoon. We are going to fucking get ready and go to this party. You need it, and I really fucking need it.”
I sigh deeply. There’s no stopping Emmy when she’s on a run like this. I’m starting to think I don’t mind.
Andy could be there. I might get a chance to say more than a couple of words to him.