Petals and Points

April 18th

It was just gone 6pm on an uncharacteristically humid April evening when the jingle of bells signified to Ellie that the shop door had just been opened. A warm breeze floated through the air with the after hours visitors.

"We're closed!" Ellie called as she put down the ribbon and brown paper that she had been clearing away and headed out of the store room to see who was prolonging her work day.

"Even for me?" A familiar sing-song voice made her roll her eyes playfully.

"Who have you pissed off this time?" She asked with a smile as she greeted James, a frequent flyer in her shop.

"Your view of me is obviously very low." He pretend to be offended. "It's my mums birthday tomorrow, and I thought there's no better gift than one of your bouquets." He grinned cheesily then paused. "Obviously I'll pay extra because it's such short notice but nobody is as good at what they do as you are!" James batted his eyelashes with a coy smile making Ellie roll her eyes playfully.

"What's her favourite colour?"

"Uh.. pink I guess?"

"You don't know, do you?"

"Sure I do." He defended himself. "It's pink, definitely."

"Alright then."

Ellie got to work dotting around the shop collecting up flowers for the bouquet before returning to her crafting table to begin putting it all together into one beautiful masterpiece. James watched her carefully as she worked, the concentration on her face making him smile to himself.

"What's your favourite colour?" He asked casually, leaning against the table.

"Yellow." Ellie replied, not taking her eyes off her work.

"Why?"

She laughed, bemused by his desire to understand the reasoning behind something so mundane. "It's sunshine isn't it. It's the beach and sunflowers and happiness. It just makes me feel happy."

"That's cute." He mused, maybe a little louder than he meant because Ellie heard and stopped what she was doing to look up at him with a curious smile.

"What's your favourite then?"

"I don't know actually. I've never really thought about it."

"Because you're a boy and it's not cool to have a favourite colour?" She teased.

"Nah." He chuckled. "I just don't think anyone's ever asked me."

"Well I just did." Ellie put down the stems she was trimming, genuinely interested in his answer, which made him smile.

"Green." He said after a short pause with a nod. "Yeah, green."

"Why?"

"I guess it feels like nature. I've always liked being outside. It feels clean and fresh. Peaceful. And lucky."

"I like that." Ellie said with a smile as they shared a gentle moment of silence, their eyes meeting making it feel like time had stood still briefly. "I think I'm pretty much done." She quickly declared, taking care to wrap and tie the bouquet neatly before holding it up. "Powder pink roses, pink Peruvian lily's, pink and white carnations, rainbow gypsophila and some eucalyptus cinera. You'll be her favourite child."

"I'm already her favourite." He joked taking the bouquet. "You ever get sick of flowers?"

"You ever get sick of football?" She retorted smiling.

"Sometimes, yeah." He laughed. "Don't tell anyone I said that though."

"Your secret's safe with me." Ellie began gathering up the offcuts, tidying up for the second time that evening. "No, I don't get sick of flowers."

"Really?"

"I love them. I wouldn't be doing this job if I didn't." She laughed and James took the stems from her to put in the bin.

"Sure, but doesn't working with flowers make them less special? It's not like a guy can surprise you with a bunch of flowers for a date."

Ellie looked at James with a perplexed smile. "Of course they can." She said. "I don't know, maybe it's lame or obsessive but I really do love them. They just make me happy. I love going to the flower markets and I always have dozens of bunches around my house. Everyone deserves flowers."

James couldn't help but smile at her passion and the look of pure joy on her face. "Well I don't think that's lame, it's nice to have something you enjoy."

"Thanks." Ellie pursed her lips softly. "I've already cashed out for the night so just pay me next time you come in."

"Thanks Elle, you're magical." James leaned over and gave Ellie a kiss on the cheek- the friendly kind, except he lingered for a second or two longer than needed and Ellie felt her cheeks flush hot.

"See you around." He chimed with a grin, heading for the door.

"Opening hours next time!" She called after him, the jingle of the shop bells her only reply.

*A/N*
This probably isn't going to be a long story. I don't have a complete idea of where this is even going, so it's likely only going to have three or four chapters. If you like the story and where it's going let me know and I'll see what I can come up with otherwise short and sweet it is!