Bloom

“You told me to dial it back.” I laugh. “I listened.”

I turn and walk toward the cooler. Sliding open one of the glass doors, I reach in and retrieve the small bouquet from the vase.

When I spin back around, Liam is right behind me. He’s so close that the flowers brush against him.

“I’m sorry,” I say, swatting a hand over his sweater even though the flowers didn’t leave a trace of anything behind when they touched him. “I didn’t know you were there.”

His gaze drops to the bouquet in my hands. “That’s for my mom?”

I hold it up proudly. “It’s sunshine, right?”

He studies my face as a slow smile crawls over his lips. “I agree. It’s pure sunshine.”

Suddenly feeling as though I need air, I sidestep him. “I’ll wrap these up.”

I tug at the paper roll that’s positioned at the end of the table. I chose a light purple paper for the shop. It fits the theme of the store.

Moving to the other side of the table, he crosses his arms. “How long have you been doing this?”

“I took over the store last year,” I say. “But I’ve always loved floral design.”

“You don’t need me to tell you that you have talent.” He laughs.

I’ll take the compliment even if it’s twisted in its wording. “Talent and training go a long way in this industry.”

I’ll never discount the training I’ve received over the years. I took night classes in floral design while I was earning a degree in business. My years spent working in flower shops gave me the foundation I needed to build a career of my own.

I point at the front counter. “You can fill out a card over there if you’d like. You’ll find envelopes there too.”

His gaze doesn’t leave my face. “I’m good. There’s no need for that.”

I wrap the bouquet carefully before giving it to him. “We can settle up at the counter.”

I hear his footsteps behind me as we make our way across the store.

Before I have a chance to show him the invoice, his credit card is in front of me. I run it through the register and hand it back to him. “Don’t forget it this time.”

He scoops up the card and shoves it in his pocket. “It looks like I’m all set.”

I watch as he gingerly cradles the bouquet in his hand. For such a large man, I can tell he has a tender touch.

I dip my head down when I think of his hands on my skin.

I can’t let my thoughts go there. He’s a customer. His girlfriend just dumped him.

“Thanks again, Athena.”

I glance up to find him looking at me. “It’s my pleasure.”

“Take care,” he says in a low tone. “If I ever need flowers, I know just where to come.”

I hope he needs flowers tomorrow, or the day after that.

As he exits the shop, I laugh off my eagerness to see him again.

This city is full of gorgeous men. I meet at least a few every week. I never think about them when they walk out of my store, but I know this time will be different.

Liam Wolf won’t be as easy to forget.