Page 23 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

Danny looks incredulous. “And you forgave him? Jesus Christ, Clara, the man…” He trails off as he stares at me.

I just keep smiling vaguely.

Suspicious now, Danny tilts his head. “You’re going to do something, aren’t you?”

“Me?” I look mockingly horrified.

His face blanches. “Oh Gods, you’re going to poison him.”

I click my tongue. “Don’t be absurd.”

The sound of the door opening has me looking up and it’s Jerry’s grandson, Aiden. He’s holding a large bouquet of stunning purple hyacinths.

Jerry glances over and then goes back to his crossword puzzle.

The few customers that are lingering around all murmur in surprise.

The boy looks around before spotting me. “Clara, these are for you.” The bouquet is large so he has some trouble walking with it.

I meet him halfway, feeling confused. “For me?”

Aiden nods. “Some man with an accent called and asked for these, specifically. And…” A strange look crosses over his face as he continues, “Ah, he also made me write a card. I- It’s in the flowers.” He looks nervous as if he’ll get in trouble.

I wonder at this before plucking out the card and reading it.

‘I didn’t find any dog shit. Vysky wouldn’t cooperate.’

I stare at the message and then stare at the flowers then at the message again. I’m trying not to laugh but it’s impossible.

Stupid, charming man.

“They’re an apology,” Jerry announces. “Your young man is trying to get back in your good graces.”

“He’s not my anything!” I declare. “Stacy, find a vase for these.”

“You’re keeping them?” Danny looks shocked.

“Well, I can throw them away but they’re so pretty.” I sigh.

“And they’re expensive,” Jerry chimes in from where he’s sitting and glances towards his grandson. “Did you charge him extra like I told you to?”

Aiden nods. “Double the price.”

I look between the two. “Wait, what? What do you mean – Did you know he was going to send me flowers?”

Jerry goes back to what he was doing. “Of course, he was going to. He messed up. Am surprised by his choice of flora though.”

I stare at the pretty flowers. “What do you mean?”

He grins. “Purple hyacinths stand for an apology, asking for forgiveness. Your man knows his flowers.”

“He’s not my man,” I mumble, now just for form’s sake.

“They’re just flowers.” Danny scratches his head. “Roses would have been better.”

I open my mouth to say that I like these better but then I snap it shut. I hand over the flowers to Stacy. “Sending me flowers isn’t going to fix anything,” I state.

Danny gives me an approving look while Jerry just smiles at me. I don’t know what that smile is for but it puts me on edge. He clearly knows something I don’t.

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