Page 89 of Meeting Mr. Adorkable
A head appeared around the door that led into the back of the store, with a face that bore a startling resemblance to Hank.
“Need you out here. I’m off for lunch, so I’ll see you later.”
Seconds later, they were outside. Lucian looked up at the flower store and grinned, the way he did every day, as the thrill that would never get old tingled through him. He caught Arlo’s eye, and his face heated.
“Okay, okay, I know I should be used to it by now.”
“Why would you want to be? You’ve done wonders to the place. Best thing that’s happened to you here in the Creek was buying the business from Bibi. Or the second best thing.” Arlo smirked.
“She jumped at the chance. It was the lifeline we both needed to do the jobs we love.”
Lucian glanced across the square to where his friend had set up as a dressmaker. Like his own business, Bibi’s Buttons and Beaus was going from strength to strength.
“I’m so proud of you, baby.” Arlo wrapped his arm around Lucian’s shoulders, pulled him in, and planted a kiss on his head. “Come on, let’s eat.”
As they walked away, Lucian couldn’t help but look back at the sign above the door — no longer Bibi’s Blossoms, Blooms, and Bouquets, but Floristry by Lucian Blaxston.
* * *
“That was good.” Lucian threw down his napkin onto his empty plate. “But I really should get back to the store. It’s not fair to leave Jed on his own.”
“I thought your new apprentice was doing okay?”
“More than okay. He’s a fast and eager learner — even if sometimes he tries to run before he can walk. I thought he was going to kiss me when I told him I’d fund his place on the floristry course.”
Arlo raised a brow in mock outrage. “Kiss you? Not sure I like the sound of that. I wonder what his jock friends think of him training to be a florist? I bet they’re giving him hell.”
“I’d like to see them try. Jed’s huge and his hands are the size of prize hams, but some of the displays I’ve had him make are incredible because they’re so delicate. Taking him on was a good move.”
“It was. Hank and Francine were worried about his lack of direction, so you’ve made lifelong fans of those two. Jed’ll be fine on his own for a while longer. What’s the point of being the boss if you can’t take advantage of the perks that come with the position? You work hard all the time. Taking a longer lunch break once in a while won’t hurt you or the business.”
Arlo was right, but Floristry by Lucian Blaxston was so much more than a flower store. It was an investment in the life he was making in Collier’s Creek and with Arlo. He had to nurture it so its roots went deep, allowing it to grow tall and strong.
“I guess so. Jed’s smart and he’ll call me if there’s a problem, but I still don’t want to leave him for too long. Thank goodness I’ve got a fully qualified florist joining us at the end of the month. It might only be part time for now, but it’ll make things easier and give me the breathing space I need. Once they’re settled in, we’ll finally be able to make the trip to Danebury.”
His heart lurched. He missed Danebury and his family so much, but home was now the little Wyoming town he’d found with the aid of a pin and a paper map. But home was more than a place. Home was the gorgeous, kind, caring man who just got him and whom he loved so much it could steal his breath away. Home was Arlo McDonald.
“It can’t come soon enough. It’s time I saw where you grew up, and met your folks properly.”
“You don’t know how much I want that,” Lucian said. “Video calls are all well and good, but it’s just not the same. I know they’re dying to meet you, too. Mum was devastated when she had to cancel her trip out here.”
His mum’s favorite horse had, at the last moment, refused a jump. It had sent her flying and resulted in a broken leg and a fractured hip and pelvis, rendering all travel impossible.
“I know, baby, but she’s all mended now, and that’s the main thing. She looks more glamorous every time I talk to her.”
Lucian smiled; she never seemed to age. “I think she has a portrait of herself hidden away in the attic.” Or maybe good genes, or bone structure, or all that time she’d spent centering herself, or getting in touch with her inner goddess…
The calls home Arlo joined him on were full of warmth and laughter, but the memory of the first call he’d made home after Arlo had chased him down and persuaded him to stay and make a life together was never too far away.
His family had, in turns, been upset, angry, and worried. He’d understood, he really had, but no amount of pleading for him to see sense had made any difference because he loved Arlo more. It was that simple.
After the call, and seeing him shaken, Arlo had demanded to speak to them — in private. They made the arrangements and Arlo took his laptop into his studio, closing the door behind him. He’d emerged two hours later and hadn’t divulged a word of what had been said, but when Lucian had got in touch with his family a few days later, the stormy skies had cleared.
Lucian checked his watch and sighed. “I’d best get back.”
“We’ve got a call arranged with your folks later today, haven’t we?”
“What? Erm, yes, we have.”
