Blooming Emotions

~Δύο

On the following Monday, I shoved my encounter with my new neighbor to the back of my mind and walked to work. I work at my local florist shop in town. I love working at my job; it's refreshing to get away from my mother once in a while. But if my mother could pay for everything, she would. My mother would do anything to keep me under her wing.

I adore spending time surrounded by flowers and plants. I don't know if that love sprouted—pun wholly intended—from my mother basically raising me outside, or if my adoration comes from the sheer joy in raising, cultivating, on your own. Either way, being a florist is my dream job—other than being a botanist. But botanists only study plants—they don't grow them.

It was half an hour before closing when he showed up—Aidon. When he spotted me, he smiled. I had to force myself to remember that he is nice solely because of his dog. I politely returned the smile and averted my eyes. He approached the flowers where I stood, watering them, and I swore internally.

"Hello, Calantha," Aidon greeted. I both equally enjoyed and detested the feeling I received from him uttering my name.

"Hello," I mumbled.

"As you know, I recently moved into town. I wonder if you have any flower suggestions for sprucing up my house?"

"Um, sure." I headed toward my favorite type of flowers. "Mississippi is called the Magnolia State, so I say get some magnolias. Did you know that beetles pollinate magnolias instead of bees? Because of that, magnolias were one of the first forms of botany on Earth. Did you also know magnolias grow in trees instead of in the ground—?"

"Calantha?"

I met his gaze. "Yeah?"

"I'll take them." Amusement glittered in his eyes, and his lips curved up into a small smile.

"Okay."

I cursed my rambling and spun around to hide my blush. I carefully plucked some stems. I wrapped up the bundle and brought them to the counter. By the sound of his soft footfalls, I knew he followed me. I told him the total, and he handed me a few bills.

"Since your mother is not here to intervene, I want to ask you again. Will you come over for dinner?"

I whipped my head up from counting his money. "W-what?"

"I want you to have dinner with me. Will you?"

"Um, um..."

His face fell in defeat. "It is okay. I get it—you do not want to. Thank you for the flowers, anyway."

He turned and took a few steps. I snapped out of my stupor. "Wait!" I yelled. He paused. "I, um, I would love to. When?"

He grinned, happiness returning to his irises. "Is tonight too abrupt?"

"No. It's fine. But you should know I am vegetarian—I do eat eggs and dairy, though."

"Noted. I shall see you at six."

Aidon winked and strolled out of the shop. I blushed and glanced around to see if anyone caught our interaction. I blew out a breath—all clear. I don't want anyone telling my mother what Aidon did. She'll probably lock me in my house if she did.

When my shift ended at four, I rushed home to get ready. I've never been on a date! What do I wear? I know from the relationships on tv that you usually dress fancier, right? I stood before my open closet. What do I pick? After staring at my wardrobe for a minute, I chose an emerald green tank top. I paired it with a pale ivory skirt decorated with dusty pink and cerulean daisies. The hem of the skirt reached a little past my knees.