Blue Roses(10)
“We could get an early dinner, or a late one. I’ll work around your busy schedule of magazine-reading.”
“Some other time.”
“Today’s only Wednesday,” he says. “Maybe you’ll change your mind by Friday.”
“Anything could happen.”
He nods his head at the candies. “Those are the fruity ones with the soft centers.”
I open the bag and offer some to him.
Luca plucks out a half dozen candies, all blueberry.
“Those are the best ones,” I say.
He waggles his eyebrows. “I know.”
“Thanks for leaving me… one.”
He reaches in and takes the last blueberry candy.
“We’ll talk again,” he says, and then he walks out, boots thudding on the floor. I stare after him helplessly. His butt looks so good in those jeans that I wish he’d walk slower.
I unwrap a lemon candy and stick it in my mouth.
What the hell just happened?
First of all, I was robbed of my blueberry candies.
Second, I think Luca Lowell asked me out on a date. He made it sound like it was about business, and then like it wasn’t.
I smack my hands to my face. I said no.
What is wrong with me?
My sister walks in. She doesn’t even say hello before she dives for my candy.
“Megan, I think Luca Lowell just asked me out. He came in today, and he didn’t buy flowers. He asked me out for drinks.”
She gives me side-eye. “He was asking me about you when he picked up his flowers Monday. We are talking about the super hot guy who bought the garage?”
“Yes.”
She strikes a bodybuilder pose. “With the big muscles?”
“Yes.”
“And dreamy blue eyes like a prairie sky in the summer?”
I laugh. “Yes.”
“He’s kinda big. Maybe you should share him with me.”
I pull away the candy bag before she takes them all.
She giggles. “Just kidding. He’s all yours, sis. When are you going on this date?”
“I said no.”
She looks thoughtful for a minute. “Okay. Yup. That makes sense.” She points to the fresh-cut parrot tulips on display and quickly changes the topic. “Those are gorgeous, but the yellow and red together makes me think of hot dogs.”
“What do you mean it makes sense that I said no to Luca? Is there something wrong with me?”
Megan takes my magazine. “There’s nothing wrong with you. I’m glad you’re not being stupid. He’s really charming, and so hot, but we don’t know him.”
“His Facebook profile is all business. Nothing else. I’ve sold him flowers twice, and that’s it.”
She looks up from the magazine, her green eyes crinkling at the edges with her smile. “At least he buys flowers. That’s a good sign.”
“Except he was buying apology flowers for a woman he pissed off.” I cough. “Technically, two different women.”
The smiling crinkle leaves her eyes. “Ouch.”
“Exactly.”
I turn and start gathering my purse and things so I can go home.
She flips through the magazine. “Oh, Prince Harry. You naughty boy. Tsk, tsk.”
“Do you think Luca’s out of my league?” I ask. “Assuming whatever he did to have to buy those flowers wasn’t too bad.”
“Luca Lowell? He’s in his own league.”
That wasn’t the answer I was hoping for. My insides twist up with negative emotions.
My voice flat, I say, “Thanks a lot.”
She grabs my arm as I walk by her on my way out. “Tina, I’m sorry. I just meant that he’s not your usual type.”
I shake my arm away. “Whatever.”
She calls after me half-heartedly, but I don’t turn back.
Chapter 8
Thursday morning, I’m shocked by what I find when I open the flower shop.
“We’ve been robbed,” I gasp.
The shelves have been stripped bare of flowers. Only a few potted plants remain.
I run to check the cash register. It’s full of money.
The slot where we keep receipts is full of paper—all receipts dated yesterday afternoon.
I look over at the calendar. Was yesterday some holiday or event I forgot about? Nope. Just a regular Wednesday.
Did we run an advertisement or sale? I pull out my phone to call my sister.
“What?” She sounds sleepy.
“Megan! What the hell happened yesterday? And if the store was so busy, why didn’t you call me to come in and help? I would have come in, you dummy. You sold this stuff all by yourself?”
“Not exactly,” she says slowly.
“Was it a last-minute big event? No, because then you wouldn’t have all these little receipts.”