One thing hasn’t changed. Those bright blue eyes of his are once again taking my breath away.
I stammer,“Wha-what am I doing? Nothing. Just walking to work.”
He lowers his head and gives me a chiding look. “You don’t seem to be in any hurry. That explains why I’ve been out in front of your shop for the last ten minutes, waiting for you to open.”
“The hours posted on the door are more like guidelines. That’s why there’s a little star-shaped symbol next to all the times. The hours are flexible.”
He gives me a sideways look. “Are you going to get over there and help me out, or not?”
I jump into walking again. “Right this way, sir.”
He walks beside me to the end of the block, and we wait for the light to change before crossing the street. It’s a gorgeous spring day. The morning sun hits the planes of Luca’s face, turning it into a masterpiece.
“What have you been up to?” he asks as we cross the street.
I press my lips together.
Tina, do not tell him about your new daydreams. Don’t tell him about your plan of paying a massage therapist to rub your back while you imagine having dirty garage sex with Luca. Don’t think about putting on sexy clothes and posing like a pin-up model for a custom calendar. Don’t even say the words model, calendar, or massage. Don’t say anything.
“Do you like massages?” I ask.
“Are you offering?”
“Sure. We’ve got a promotion, where you get a massage after your tenth flower purchase.” I laugh at what is probably the stupidest joke any human has ever made.
Luca gives me a pity chuckle.
We’ve reached the door to the flower shop. I pull out my keys and pretend I don’t notice the flirty look he’s giving me.
I push open the door, and Luca follows me into the cool interior.
“Chilly,” he says.
I start laughing.
“What?” He looks at me like I’m very strange. He’s not wrong, I guess. I did offer him a massage. And I’ve already planned six of the twelve pin-up photos I’d take for his imaginary calendar.
“It’s just funny to hear a big, tough guy like you say the word chilly.”
We walk in past the ferns, which tickle my bare arms. I’m wearing a flower-print sundress today, and gladiator-style sandals.
He says, “I’ll have to watch what I say around you. I’ll stick to big-tough-guy words, like bullets, and barbed wire, and battleships.”
I flick on the lights and pivot to face him.
“Bullets, barbed wire, and battleships? You could put those three things together and make a great tattoo.”
He laughs. “That’s a good idea, but I don’t believe in tattoos.”
“What are you talking about?” I laugh and reach out to squeeze his forearm. “How can you not believe in tattoos?”
He looks down at my hand on his arm.
Tina, you’re touching his arm. You asked him if he likes massages, and now you’re forcing one on him. Bad Tina! Let go of his arm. Stop squeezing his muscle. It’s real, it’s spectacular, and it’s not yours to squeeze.
His eyes flick up from my hand to my eyes. “Nothing against other people’s choices, but I prefer my skin exactly how it is,” he says calmly.
I pat his arm and look down at his skin. The fine hairs are almost golden in color. I pull my hand away.
“You have very nice skin,” I say. “You don’t need anything else. You’re perfect, exactly how you are.”
He turns and walks over to the sliding doors that run across the walk-in cooler. “I’m not perfect,” he says, his back to me. “Which is why I’m here today. I need more of those apology flowers.”
“Already? It’s only been two weeks since your last one.”
“Different woman.”
I swallow hard. The only thing worse than learning Luca has a girlfriend is learning that he has two.
I pull down some vases from the upper shelves behind the counter and set them out. Then I grab some of the freshest-looking blossoms from the last auction and start trying color combinations.
Luca watches quietly, not offering more information.
“You’re dating two women at once?” I ask.
“Is that what you wanted to know about when you sent me a friend request?”
“My friend Rory did that. She was on my computer. I’m so sorry. I was going to unfriend you, but that’s so rude.”
He grins. “I don’t really do Facebook or any of that kid stuff.”
“Good. Then you didn’t see all my embarrassing photos.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” His grin gets wider. “You’ve got a lot of pictures of your cat.”
“Muffin. He’s a great cat. He does not like taking a bath. His favorite activities are sleeping in sunbeams and hiding twist-ties in people’s shoes.”
Luca leans over to take a close look at the peach-colored roses between us. “To answer your question, no. I would never date two women at once. Even just one takes up so much time.” He points to the cobalt blue vase. “This one will do.”
I grab a knife and whittle away at a green insert so it fits in the vase.
“Luca, the thing is… never mind.”
“What? More dating advice?” He stretches out his arms. “Hit me. Don’t hold back now. I won’t tell anyone you’re giving free relationship counseling over here without a license. We have florist-client confidentiality.”
I stab the green insert a few more times, then drop it in the vase.
“It’s just that… if you really love someone, they’re not taking up your time. Sitting in traffic takes up your time. Waiting in line takes up your time. But being around someone you care about is a gift.”
His eyebrows bunch together, and he stares steadily into me with those sky-blue eyes.
“How did you get to be so wise?” he asks.
“I knew someone who didn’t have much time, and he chose to spend it with the people he loved.”
Luca pushes his hands into his jean pockets and looks down at his boots.
“I’ll take that under advisement,” he says softly.
The door chimes, and another regular customer comes in.
I put on my professional florist face. “When do you need the arrangement ready by, Mr. Lowell?”
“How about closing time again? You’re here until six?”
“I’ll have your order ready. Would you like anything written on a card?”