Circling Back To You

Chapter 6

Now

Nath

"Alyssa, are you sure all this is necessary?" I say, hauling the last two boxes from the pickup truck and carrying them over to the shop corner. The little blonde menace conveniently is only carrying a folder of paper and some fairy lights.

"Yes, Nath, it is. Flower shops are serious business, you know? This new one is going to be my main one as well, I've decided. I'm moving here as of... well, today." Alyssa throws her mane of honey blonde locks over her shoulder and eyes me with sparkling enthusiasm. Over the years she's expanded her flower shop into a whole chain of them in different locations, and we all couldn't be more proud. It seems like an easy job, but starting any kind of business - even a flower shop - takes a lot work.

"That was a fast decision." I respond, half admiring, half wary. Alyssa's ability to make huge decisions just like that is actually very inspiring, although she's got a nice trust fund to fall back on if anything goes wrong, meaning the stakes aren't very high.

She sighs dreamily, like this is what she's always planned instead of a random move. "I don't know, I just like the vibe. I've been wanting to move out of Fairview for ages as well. Small towns are cute, but I want to move on. Embrace city life like the rest of you."

"Any particular reason why here?" I ask, setting down the boxes inside.

She nods, looking around distractedly. "The location specifically for the shop is perfect. There's basically no other flower shops around the area, and theres cafes and stuff around it which means people will be coming here pretty often. It's not too big of a city but not tiny like Fairview where there's like 20 families in total and everyone is in everyone else's business. Also, it's close to Cas and Ash and decently close to your work as well."

I hum in response, the two of us settling into comfortable quiet as she stacks things neatly into corners and I keep moving boxes in from the truck. I'm about to ask how else I can help when suddenly, the door bursts open on its hinges and we're greeted by a head of black curls and a pair of bright green eyes.

"Ash!" Alyssa squeals in delight, immediately dropping everything she's holding to barrel forward and throw herself into her best friend to engulf him in what must be a bone-crushing hug.

Asher chuckles and practically lifts her off the ground, sending them both crashing into the nearest box as Alyssa flies around with the force of it. They laugh, and then Asher attempts to drop her on the floor and says rather belatedly, "Ew, no Lyss, you don't want to hug me right now, I'm sweaty and gross." He's clearly come here straight after practice, still in his football jersey and his hair distinctly messy from the helmet. She doesn't seem to care, though, still squealing in delight as she clings to Asher's shoulders.

"Bit late for that," Alyssa giggles, dislodging herself from him at last and tiptoeing to kiss his cheeks with obnoxiously loud smacking noises. It's at that exact moment when the door opens again, and all 6'1 of the cool, blonde glory that is Alyssa's brother, walks in.

"Jesus Christ, Ash. I leave you alone for 2 minutes and my sister's kissing you already?" He jokes, mock-offended, giving me a casual nod of greeting that would have looked rude on anyone else, but somehow works for him. Asher laughs softly and goes forward to press a quick kiss into the side of his neck before Alyssa gasps in disbelief and pulls him away, shrieking about respect for the environment. Cas sticks his middle finger up at her as he grabs his sister around the middle and goes straight in to tickle her exposed stomach. Alyssa lets out a bird-like screech of laughter, squirming and kicking for him to release his grip. Cas keeps tickling her relentlessly until she tires herself out from struggling, and then sets her down in an alarmingly similar way to how Asher tried to deposit her on the ground before. I try not to think too much into it, because Asher and Cas's sex life is something I really do not need to know.