Buying Her Flower

I still struggle to break free, but his grip is too strong. The door to the shop opens again, startling us both. I’m shocked to see Andrew. He looks surprised to see us. His eyes narrow as he sees the creep. I don’t even have to ask for help.

He sees the creep’s hands on my wrists and crosses the room and punches him in the face. The creep falls back against the register.

I’m finally free. I move out of the way and watch as Andrew grabs the creep by the collar and punches him again.

“Ok, that’s enough!” I call out.

The guy’s face is all swollen and Andrew has to hold him up.

“We need to call the cops,” Andrew says, looking at me. He gives the guy a shake. The guy looks around and coders from Andrew.

“We can’t. Then word will get out about the auctions and I’ll lose my business,” I inform him.

“Then what do we do?” he asks me.

“We should let him go but tell him to never come back,” I say, looking at the both of them.

The guy bids his head at that idea. I think he just wants to be away from Andrew.

With a sigh Andrew reluctantly agrees.

“You heard her, don’t ever come back,” he says.

The creep stumbles out of the store. Andrew gives him a light kick with his foot. The creep lands outside sprawled on the sidewalk. He gets up and runs off.

“Was that really necessary?” I ask Andrew.

He shrugs and says, “at least he’s gone.”

I grab a broom and sweep up the broken glass from the vase.

Andrew picks up the flowers and lays them on the counter. After the glad as is clean I grab my phone. It wasn’t damaged I’m relieved to see that. I grab the flowers and put them in a fresh vase. Andrew clears his throat softly. I can’t pretend to ignore him anymore.

“Thank you for helping me,” I say after a moment.

“It’s no trouble,” he replies.

After a moment’s silence, he continues talking.

“I wanted to come by anyways and talk to you. I’m sorry I haven’t returned your calls…”

I interrupt him by saying, “It’s ok. I’m not worried about it. I’m busy and you’re busy.”

I’m trying to keep my voice calm as I reply. I’m still really freaked out by everything that just happened.

“No, it’s not ok….” Andrew says but I tune the rest of his words out.

I busy myself with fixing the flowers again. I can’t deal with thus back and forth stuff right now. I don’t have the energy to think or concentrate on what he’s saying. I realize that Andrew is still talking.

I interrupt him by saying, “Thanks again for helping me but I think it’s best if you leave.”

I can’t bring myself to look at him. He stops talking. I can sense his confusion.

He finally says, “Ok then. You’re welcome.”

I hear him walk out the door. The shop is silent after that.

I continue to fix the flowers and try not to cry. I just want to focus on work and not think about anything.

I consider calling Tammy but right now I just need space.

I need to breathe and relax.

I need to get my nerves under control.

I know that is the first thing that Tammy would tell me to do.

So, I do it, telling myself that there’s plenty of time to process what just happened later.

Chapter 18

Sheila

A week later, Tammy is walking with me to the flower shop. I’m about to open it up for the day. Sometimes we get coffees at the coffee shop nearby and we gossip while I get the store ready before the customers show up. That’s exactly what we are doing this morning.

“I’m so glad that Andrew rescued you. It’s scary to think what could have happened if he hadn’t shown up,” Tammy says.

I hand her my coffee as I look in my purse for the shop keys.

“I can’t believe you won’t call him,” she complains, after a sip of her coffee.

I find the keys but stand outside talking with her.

“I know. I honestly think I’ve blown my chance with him.”

Tammy hands me my coffee and I take a sip before I finish talking.

“I should have just fallen into his arms after he rescued me. I was scared by everything that had just happened. Honestly, I’m also scared of the back and forth thing between us. It’s too many emotions. I don’t like to play games like that.”

I start to unlock the door to the shop.

“You need to learn to open your heart to love,” Tammy says.

We stand there in the doorway of the shop talking and sipping our coffee. Tammy is talking about another romance movie she saw on TV last night. I start to think about how she’s right.

If I haven’t totally blown it with Andrew, then the ball is in my court. I would have to make the first move. Maybe I can call him and convince him to take me on that casual date he mentioned.