Alleyway BxB

XXIV (Visiting)

MONDAY, 8 OCTOBER
NATHAN COVINGTON

4 p.m.

"Great. I still have some time left," I muttered to myself as I pulled into a parking lot. The flower shop, and this time I made it. I was worried that I would have had to put it off again due to the death grip the girls had on me. And the 6 p.m. closing time was fast approaching. But I had a good time. The excitement in their eyes as they encouraged me to spill any thoughts or opinions on the book; their interest in my life too. Before then, they must not have thought I read. I didn't think they read either.

But I do.

"Nathan, haven't seen you in a while," Meredith, the florist, greeted me.

I flashed her with my signature grin from when I used to come in regularly. I used to come in all the time with Mom. "Mer. You look as lovely as always. How are you doing?"

"Amazing now that you walked in," she chuckled as she went back to arranging some tulips in the corner. "Did you get a haircut? You got a little more handsome the last time I saw you."

"You think? I hope my boyfriend thinks the same." I turned to the mirror and examined myself. My hair was a mop on the top but at least the sides were clean and cut.

She gasped and I jumped and almost dropped the venti Starbucks frappuccino that Kara and Naomi bought me. "You're dating? I told your mother I wouldn't cry when you finally started dating."

I looked to see that she had put down her bucket of tulips and was already running over with outstretched arms. I couldn't help but accept it. She was definitely one of the things I missed seeing when I went on that Zach strike. "I love the support Mer but he's the fourth one."

"What?" She pulled away with so much force that I, again, almost dropped the venti Starbucks frappuccino that Kara and Naomi bought me. "You didn't tell me?"

"I'm sorry," I apologized but there were smiles on both our faces. "I wasn't out yet at the time, but I'm ready for it now. Besides, the entire world knows about it now."

"That's great, Nathan. I'm sure your mother would be so proud. Who is this lucky number four?"

I bit my lip, grabbing one of her hands. "Are you ready for this?" They were slightly damp. Most likely from handling the flowers.

"Why are you acting like I know who this lucky number four is?"

"You do know who they are."

She perked up suddenly excited. "Is it that sweet brown-haired boy that you've been friends with since you were little?"

"No." I shook my head. "That was my special number one."

"What?!" She exclaimed.

"I'll tell you about it later," I groaned.

"Okay. Hurry up. You're acting like you're dating someone as exclusive as a Lockheart."

I grinned. "Bingo."

But it hadn't processed for her, she stared at me blankly, but her shoulders were tense. She was squeezing my hand. "I thought we were being serious here, Nathan?"

"I am. Marcello Lockheart. That's my man."

Her mouth opened but nothing came out. "I'm getting old, Nathan. I need to sit down. Don't toy with me like this. I might get a heart attack."

"I'm not! I would have brought him here but he's in New York right now."

She started to fan herself and I couldn't help but laugh at her shock. "Have you met the parents yet?"