Page 28 of War
Twelve
“Welcome to Madre’s,” Eli greeted his new set of customers, “how may I help you today?”
Two professional people walked up to the counter and made eye contact with Eli. “So, you really do work the front?” The woman in a gray suit asked.
Eli chuckled. “Yes, I really do work here.” It was a question Eli began to receive since the reality show success. Potential customers were always surprised to see him behind the counter during business hours. “What can I help you with today?”
“We’re planning a luncheon for the doctors at the hospital and we would like something nice but not too fancy. Something we can give to the doctors after the ceremony.” The older man in a black suit replied.
“Sure thing. Please have a seat over there and I’ll help you.” He pointed to a nearby table. He quickly grabbed his notepad and pen and joined the customers. “So, tell me what the luncheon is about.”
“Well, we’re recognizing all of our doctors as they completed their residency,” The woman began. “So this is a thank you to them for being so patient and furthermore, so attentive to the patients’ needs.”
“Not a problem,” Eli scribbled down notes. Another employee came by with refreshments. “What colors and flowers were you looking at?”
“Well, we want them each with a tad personalization,” the man replied, “not toodramatical, as you put it, but something that each doctor knows we had them in mind when the bouquet was created.”
“Sounds good,” Eli noted, “I’ll need some details about each doctor.”
“There are six of them who are finishing up their residency,” the woman replied, “I’ll give you their names and favorite flowers and colors.”
“Okay, shoot.” Eli replied.
“First, there’s Xin. He likes daisies and really likes brown,” the woman replied, “and then there’s Katie. She loves begonias and favors the color pink. Then there’s Hailey. She loves roses and her favorite color is red.” The woman turned a page. “Next is Tara. She likes daffodils and the color yellow. Next up is Adam. He likes sunflowers and curiously enough, the color pink. Finally, there’s Erica. She’s British so she really likes tulips. She says they remind her of home.”
“I know a lot of people prefer roses over tulips but I really like them!” Erica laughed. She lazily stroked Eli’s midsection as they cuddled in bed. “I don’t know why; they’re just my favorite.”
Eli sat up straight and quickly jotted down the notes. He occasionally thought about her but the feelings were fleeting. He never looked her up nor did he sought her out. Now hearing her name made him realize there was some unfinished business between them. “Erica’s favorite color is…purple?”
“Why yes!” The woman exclaimed. “How did you know?”
Eli knew what time she woke up in the morning. What time she went to bed. How long she was at the gym. What her favorite shows were. What type of music she loved to listen to.
He knew what her erogenous zones were and what position made her body sing. He remembered she loved giving head and was very good at it, as if she was his personal porn star.
Eli knew Erica like the back of his hand. “I believe I did flowers for her before.”
“Isn’t she great?” The woman exclaimed. “She’ll be a great addition to the fellowship in a few months! I think she’ll make a wonderful pediatrician.”
Pediatrician. Eli smiled at the thought. It made sense. Erica was wonderful with children and showed so much love and compassion towards Nathan when she treated him. Eli didn’t get a chance to let her meet his other children but now that he knew what area of practice she was going in, he might make the time to see her. “I think so.” Eli blinked away any thoughts of Erica to focus on the order. “So, I’ll do a mockup within a few hours and send you the pictures to see if you like them or make any suggestions?”
“Great!” The man replied and stood up. He shook Eli’s hand. “Thank you so much! You’re amazing! My wife is such a fan of your show and she’ll be thrilled to see I met you.”
“Anytime, man,” Eli flashed his bright smile, “anytime.” After the pair left, Eli gave the order to Maria before he headed upstairs to start working on a mockup design.
He had to make Erica’s order perfect.
He turned on John Coltrane, and went to work. Over the course of an hour, he designed the different bouquets, making sure they all stood out from each other. Nothing too flashy, but spectacular nevertheless.
It needed to be perfect. Erica needed to know it was from him specifically.
Eli could admit he’d always cared about her, even if his feelings toward Faith were stronger. Despite how rocky things were in their marriage, Eli wasn’t going to leave Faith again. He hoped it was just a phase and once the paternity of Elena was settled, things would go back to a new normal, since they could never go back to the past.
He could only hope.
“Eli?” The security guard, Tyrell, greeted him in his office. “You have a visitor.”
“I do?” Eli glanced up at the clock. It was already seven-thirty and all of the employees had gone home. “Who is it?”
