golden hour

chapter one

"oh and what is the color scheme of your wedding?" i ask the beaming couple in front of me. "red!" the lady chirps, i shouldn't be surprised that's her theme, she's dressed in a small maroon dress that compliments her gorgeous black hair and rosy cheeks. her fiancé lays a soft kiss on her head and nods. he hasn't said much this whole consolation, she's obviously the more outgoing of the two, but you can see the love in his eyes.

"okay then, we'll arrive on the 26th with your delivery of flowers," i say as i write the final details on their information sheet. "thank you so much darling, you've been ever so helpful."
i just give her a warm smile, "have a good night!" i call after them as they leave the shop.

the suns rays begin to slip behind the buildings of nyc. it's golden hour, my favorite time of day. the shop seems the glow and radiate happiness. i lean my arm against the counter as i gaze out the large windows, lost in the seemingly endless arrays of reflections from the setting sun.

"you have one more appointment before you're free to get outta here you know." a voice startles me from my dreamy thoughts. my boss walks up behind me holding a large brown clipboard, barley looking up at me. "but i thought that was the last one" i protest, i really was not looking forward to walking the bustling night streets of a very sleepless city. "too bad sucker, one more, make it quick okay" and without waiting for a response the bad news bearer turns her heel and walks away.

"yay me" i mumble to myself spinning to face the counter and get a new information sheet ready for my last clients of the night. not seconds after, i hear the little bell on the door go off. "i'll be with you guys in just a minute," i say, back turned to the new comers, "i'm just getting your sheet ready."

"it's okay no rush at all" a man reassures in the most lovely british accent i've ever heard. i quickly turn around, they're both smelling the display flowers that are in abundance all around the shop. one has a gruff expression and is tall with a smart black suit on. he isn't smiling but eyeing everything as though it's threatening him. it's not the tall speculative one that caught my attention however, it was him, a shorter brunette with stunningly gorgeous brown eyes that sparkled every time his long eyelashes fluttered over them. he was dressed more simply, in an open coat with a dark blue crewneck under it and black jeans. he was beautiful.

they must've noticed my starting cause the taller one eyed me in a condemning fashion, "what you gawking at boy" he barked. i seem to snap out of it "uh um nothing sir," i hurriedly respond while beckoning them to a small table in the corner. "how are we today?" i ask politely trying to clear whatever the man had against me already. "we're good thank you!" the beauty pipes in, he grips the tallers arm gleefully and smiles adoringly up at him. the man seems to pay no mind to what his fiancé is doing and is still staring daggers through me. "um that's incredible," i smile at the brunette, our eyes lock, he seems entranced for a second and our gazes don't falter, his eyes show a confused expression for a moment before he quickly turns away.

"can we just hurry and get this over with? you know i didn't wanna come here in the first place," i roll my eyes slightly at the suited man's rude connotations, but continue to sit at the three person table. "please, have a seat," i suggest, gesturing to the places across from me. they both proceed to sit down, the shorter not releasing from the others arm for a moment. "so from you paperwork," i begin cheerily, "it seems as though you are john and-" i get cut off "george" the smaller man finishes, giving me a warm smile. "george" i repeat. such a pretty name for such a handsome person. i must've said it with some sort of fondness cause he giggles. it's so carefree and innocent it makes my cheeks turn a light hue of pink.

"so george" i start, completely forgetting about john still sitting intimidatingly beside him. "you're here to pick your guy's wedding flowers i presume?"
"we're getting married" george announces looking up at john as if it hadn't already been obvious. i allow myself to let out a friendly laugh "oh my i hadn't guessed," i tease. he giggles again. i feel like i might melt.
"so did we have a flower type in mind?" i continue with the protocol questions.
"none preferably," john mumbles under his breathe.
"he didn't want flowers" george interjects, "he thinks that guys shouldn't have that kinda stuff at their weddings, something about it being too feminine or something." he laughs, "it's okay though, i just want our day to be perfect" he squeezes the gruff mans arm and john gives a small eye roll. what did this man ever do to deserve george.

"oh-" i'm not quite sure how to respond. "well george, do you have a flower in mind?" i ask, turning all my attention to the brunette. he sighs, running a hand through his luscious hair. goddamn he's attractive. "i was thinking buttercups," he finishes hesitantly, looking up for johns approval. "buttercups" he scoffs. i've begun to have enough. this meeting was hard enough trying to stay focused with george, but john having a problem with everything also wasn't helping.

"john can i ask you to please make the most of our time here?" i ask in the nicest voice i can muster, "i need both your approval on a floral arrangement."
"fuck this shit!" he exclaims standing up hurriedly, not looking to his side once at his partner, he only had devil eyes for me. "babe you pick and give him my card, i don't care, im gonna be next door." he says in angry tone and practically storms out of the building and to the bar beside us.

there's total silence for a second, "im sorry about him," george breaks it, "he's in a bad mood today i guess," he sighs looking down in an almost longing fashion. it seemed that definitely wasn't the reason for his outburst, but i'm in no position to question it.
"don't worry about it," i state briefly, trying to stay friendly, however in all honestly i'm pissed at john and worried about george, even though i've not even known them 15 minutes.
silence again.
"so...buttercups?" i ask.
"maybe this is dumb" he whispers.
from being so cheery a moment ago, the brunettes disposition seemed to have changed drastically.
"are we not feeling them anymore?" i question, knowing full well this isn't about the flowers.
he looks up at me and slowly gives a sad smile, like all the life had quickly been washed out of him.
"i'm sorry for wasting your time," he finally says, "this was a bad idea, what do i owe you for the consolation?"
i just stare at him, the last bit of sun rays illuminate his shiny, smooth, wavy locks, and gorgeous pale skin.
"why aren't you a model?" i blurt out, then quickly backtrack, "i'm sorry that was random, i don't know why i said that," i laugh, face landing sheepishly in my hands. i can feel my cheeks heat up. why the fuck did i say that out loud. just do your damn job dream jesus.

"wha- what?" george stutters.
"forget it," i force a laugh again, "you don't owe me anything don't worry about it." i conclude.
"no one's ever asked me that before," george says faintly in a near whisper, completely ignoring my last sentence.
"really?!" i exclaim, genuinely surprised, "they should be, i'm surprised you haven't gotten scouted."
he smiles, like a truly happy smile, like he's amazed that he would get a compliment like that.
"thank you dream." he says so wholeheartedly it almost hurts.
"you know my name?" i ask surprised.
he giggles again, "of course dumbass i'm not a jerk," he rolls his eyes playfully, god i wish he wasn't engaged. shit, i should not be thinking that. what is wrong with me.

i must've not said anything for awhile cause george starts to stand, "um thank you...for this, i'm sorry it didn't work out," it's clear all he wants is to stay and get flowers that his fiancé will love, but it's too obvious that's not possible.
"george," i finally call out to him when he's halfway to the door, god i need to stop zoning out.
"yes?" he turns, almost like he was expecting me to wish him back.
"do you wanna maybe like go get coffee or something?"
the look of surprise on his face makes it evident that was not what he was expecting me to say.
"i just, i might know someone" i stutter, "who might be interested in interviewing you...for modeling."
his face lightens up. but then falls just as quickly.
i give him a look of confusion.
"john wouldn't like it," he says finally, looking defeated.
i wish i could just tell him how john doesn't decide what he can and cannot do or like or want. that he's his own person and deserves to be appreciated. but it's not my place. i have no right.

"here" i say hurriedly jotting my number down on a scrap of paper on the table. "this is my personal phone number, if you ever change your mind," i get up to give it to him. placing it gently in his hands. we're practically inches apart. his hand lingers. fingers grazing across my palm to pick up the paper. his eyes meet mine.
"thank you," he speaks slowly, our eyes locked.
"of course george," i nearly whisper. and with that he looks away and walks swiftly out the door.