Page 2 of Courage, Dear Heart

Her smile returns. “Sorry about that. He’s bored, and bored little boys tend to find trouble.”

“Big boys too.” I give her my best smile. The smile that never fails at charming women and clients alike.

Except for now. She doesn’t even notice it and continues to tap away on the keyboard. She pauses, her eyebrows scrunching as she stares at the screen. She glances at me and back at the computer.

“Okay. I found you.” She clicks a few keys, her tone dipping a bit. “You have a few different orders, but it looks like your preferred arrangement is a dozen pink, long-stemmed roses. And Monday deliveries.” Her voice cools as she glances at the screen. “Would you like the same arrangement to be delivered this Monday?”

“Yes, please, Miss . . .” I leave it hanging, hoping she’ll fill in the blank.

“Jillian Heart.” Her voice is steady, polite—but there’s an edge there.

“Thank you, Jillian. I’m Elliott, but I guess you already know that.” I say it deliberately, trying to soften the airbetween us. Her eyes flick to mine, unimpressed, before turning back to the screen.Great start, Elliott.

“And what should the card say? Your standard message?”

I blink, caught off guard. “My standard message?”

She reads from the screen, the corner of her lips turning slightly downward. “‘I enjoyed our time together. E.’”

Ouch. It’s like a punch to the gut, hearing it out loud. Detached, almost dismissive. Could that sound any colder? No wonder she’s looking at me like that. She probably thinks I’m some kind of unfeeling jerk. I nod, my mind a frustrating blank, and let the silence stretch awkwardly between us. She raises an eyebrow, waiting for something, anything, and all I’ve got is a painfully hollow nod.

Her fingers hover over the keyboard. “Recipient name and address, please.”

I fish for my cell phone, find the contact, and put the phone on the counter facing her. She touches the corner of the phone and tilts it her way to better read the screen. I check her finger for a wedding ring. No ring, but I find a fresh scratch on the back of her hand instead, and before I know what I’m doing, I reach across the counter but stop myself before crossing the line and touching her. “You’re hurt.”

She pulls her hand away. “Oh, that’s nothing. A rose got me. It happens.”

“Does it happen often?”

“Roses are beautiful, but they bite. Scratches come with the job, but it’s a small price to pay when I’m surrounded by this every day.” She waves at the plants all around us and goes back to the computer.

I nod. “I guess it beats being stuck in an office. And it smells better for sure.”

Jillian shifts and looks at me. “It sure does. Being a florist was not what I imagined myself doing after college, but here I am. I love it.”

Before I can ask her what she imagined herself doing after college, the sound of flapping wings grabs my attention. I catch a green blur in my peripheral vision and lift my arms to protect my face. The parrot lands on the counter, tilts her head to one side and then another, and walks toward me. I take a step back.

Jillian laughs. “Don’t worry. Daisy is harmless.”

“Daisy?”

“Yes, that’s her name.” Jillian runs a finger through the green feathers.

The bird stops at the edge of the counter, bobs its head.“You so pretty.”

“Excuse me?” And now I’m talking to a bird.

The bird whistles, like a catcalling sound.“You so pretty.”The parrot bobs her head again.“Yes, you are.”

Jillian’s eyes meet mine. She blushes the same color as the carnations behind her. A pink that starts soft and intensifies with each passing second my gaze is on her.

TWO

Jillian

He smilesand the corners of his eyes crinkle. “I think Daisy is flirting with me.”

My face burns. Sometimes Daisy has the uncanny ability to speak what’s on my mind. Because that’s exactly what I was thinking. He’s a flirt, maybe even a player, and I may have a distaste for men like him, who think a smile is all that’s needed and panties drop, but I can’t deny how handsome he is, with his strong, chiseled features and classic, rugged looks. Defined jawline, high cheekbones, lips that are full but firm, and intense gray-blue eyes that contrast with his dark eyebrows, adding intensity to his gaze.

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