Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

14

Dreams happened, and Christian knew he couldn't control them, so he pushed the images out of his mind. Elizabeth was his friend, maybe even his best friend, and a one-off x-rated dream wouldn't change that.

A little porn would take care of his deprivation. Everything was just fine.

A few days later, he sat at a table in the Maryvale clubhouse, furrowing his brow at all the flower options that were displayed on his phone. "Hey, Chris," a sweet, gentle voice disrupted him. Lindy. Someone he knew could help.

"Hey," he said with a smile. "Just trying to order some flowers for Ellie's birthday. Help?"

"Yeah, of course." She took a seat next to him. "Oh, Christian, you can't send your friend roses." She chuckled a little. "You'd definitely send the wrong signal."

Christian's brow remained furrowed. Roses were his default. He didn't know much about the world of flowers outside of roses. Sloane loved white roses. His mom preferred yellow. "What should I send then?"

"Well, what words would you use to describe her?" Lindy asked.

"She's smart. I mean, she's basically the smartest ever . . . And she's kind . . . and calming. She's funny. Gentle. Careful. Loving."

Lindy was quiet for a moment, taking in how excitedly and knowingly Christian answered the question. Maybe he should just send roses, she thought to herself.

"Why don't you send her this pretty sunflower and iris combination? Sunflowers represent peace, which is great because you said she's calming, and irises symbolize knowledge. And we all know how intelligent she is."

"Do you think she'll like them?" Christian asked. He didn't want to disappoint her. He wanted to get this right.

"She'll love them."

***

"Someone sent this to Pediatrics by mistake. Are you seeing someone, Liz?" Elizabeth's colleague placed a vase of bright, beautiful flowers on her desk as well as a card and then took a seat across from her to hear any gossip Elizabeth might be willing to share.

She smiled at the colorful arrangement and then laughed at her friend's assumption. "Just the usual bad dates and awkward hookups." She was sure the bouquet was from her parents. They occasionally sent flowers to her work, and she wasn't someone who shared her birthday very readily.

She opened the card, and was surprised when she saw Christian's handwriting scribbled within it. She placed a smaller gift-card sized envelope contained within the card to the side and read his script.

Ellie,

Happy birthday from me and Ivy! We know you're drowning in research right now, so we thought you could use a spa day when all is said and done. You deserve some time to relax. You work so hard.

We can't wait to see you in a week. Ivy wants to show you all the new things she has learned since leaving Milwaukee.

Your friends always,

Christian + Ivy

The gift card was for the spa at the Pfister Hotel, and she couldn't be more grateful. She could actually feel her body falling apart from the previous two weeks of stress. No time to eat, sleep, or go to the gym. She really needed this. She needed to know there was an end in sight.

She was about to try to locate her phone to thank him; it was buried somewhere underneath endless stacks of paper. Her friend once again disrupted her intentions. "Holy shit, Liz, is this you? What the hell? You know Christian Yelich? You've held his baby? What the?" Her friend handed Liz her phone, so she could see what was on her screen.