Love At First Text ✔️

Him

Sebastian returned from his lunch break with a bouquet of pink Calla Lilies in his hand. There were plenty of other pieces of foliage tied within the ribbon and cellophane, but he didn't know what they were. They didn't much matter anyway. He'd gone into the florists and all but shouted 'Calla Lilies' at an employee. They were all he wanted – Eden's favourite – and he just so happened to think this arrangement was the prettiest.

He decided. After not seeing her yesterday, day or night, that today he was going to start repairing the damage he wrought. He'd buy her donuts on his way to her flat, too. Any that were filled. Twelve of them. Even if she turned him away at the door, it was at least a start. A display of how sorry he was, and how he was willing to fix things. He didn't want to lose Eden – in hindsight, his response to the list was far from ideal – but she said they weren't over. He had to prove to her that he was beyond pleased about that.

"You in the doghouse?" Karl asked as Seb filled a pint glass with water. He only had a couple more hours at work, so the bouquet would survive until then.

Amusement flickered over Karl's face when Sebastian shot him a blank glare. "Something like that."

"How is she? Doing alright after everything that happened?"

"Yeah, she's good. I just did something that pissed her off, and now I'm trying to get back into her good graces." He sighed as he leaned against the counter.

"Word of advice," Karl started, reclining until his chair lifted on to it's back too legs. "Flowers from fondness mean far more than flowers from apology." Sebastian raised a brow.

"What does that mean?" He felt stupid for even having to ask.

"Getting a girl something pretty to cushion an apology doesn't mean anything. It's like cable tying a broken bumper back on to the car. Might help, but doesn't really fix it. Getting them something pretty to show them just because – because you saw those flowers and thought of her – it means a lot more. It means every time she looks at those flowers, she'll think of you too. So don't give her those flowers with the word sorry, give her them with an 'I love you'." He winked, as though sharing a secret only he knew.

"Well, I haven't said that before. Ever." Sebastian confessed.

"Okay, then don't say that when you give her the flowers." Karl backtracked with a slight grimace. "Might come across more manipulating rather than meaningful."

Seb groaned, running a hand down his face. "How is this so difficult?"

"Relationships are. Every ship wants to sail on a calm sea, but chances are you're likely to hit a rough few waves."

"God, have you been reading relationship guide 101? Where are all these philosophical metaphors coming from?" Karl laughed at that, at the perplexed expression on Sebastian's face.

"Believe me, if I had that guide, I'd never put the fucker down. You reckon this is tough? Try dealing with a post-natal wife. I asked her yesterday if she wanted to order in, and she took that to mean that I no longer wanted to be seen outside with her." His cheeks puffed out with a breath. "I'm nervous as shit to even speak to her any more, in case I make her cry."

Sebastian smiled. "I can't offer you any advice there, I'm afraid."

"I wouldn't take it even if you did? I'd be a fool to listen to the man who can't even tell the girl he loves that he's in love with her." Karl's laugh followed him out of the kitchen when he stormed away.

Frankly, he wished he'd stayed to tolerate the derision, for when he noticed Noah stood in the garage, he knew which male was the lesser of two evils. He swallowed thickly before he pasted on a smile. "Hi mate, you good?"