Page 101 of Poetry of Flowers

“I’m thrilled to hear that because today will be the best birthday you’ve ever had. We’re gonna have breakfast in a special café your cousin picked, and then we’ll spend the rest of the day doing whatever you like. I heard the Windy City got some amazing bookstores going back to the nineteenth century.”

Her eyes lit up when I said that.

“What café?”

“It’s a secret, Fleur.”

“Then let’s get dressed and find out.” She was about to hop out of bed when I pulled her back and cupped her cheeks.

“Not so fast.” Kissing her will forever feel like a dream.

“Happy birthday, my Tillie.”

“Thank you for taking me out of that town for today,” she replied and kissed me again. She sat down on my lap, her warm hands traveling over my naked chest.

I loved this girl more than sunlight.

But before we had a chance to take things any further, Tillie stood up and took some fresh clothes. She winked at me as she went to the bathroom.

Thank you for taking me out of that town for today.

I was going to tell her tonight. I knew she wouldn’t be angry, but maybe sad that I kept it from her.

After a few moments, I got up and searched for some fresh clothes, I should have packed something better for this special day, but I had just stuffed everything in a bag before going over to Tillie’s house.

Something fell on the floor as I picked up my clothes. It’s the little crimson box…. Tillie’s birthday present.

I had hidden it in my closet, so she wouldn’t find it when she came over. It must have been between the clothes I packed. I am the luckiest man alive right now.

“How do I look?”

I quickly slipped the little box in the pocket of my sweater.

There were no words to describe how I felt the moment I looked at the beautiful girl in front of me.

I could only ask myself: what did I do to deserve this girl?

She wore her hair open, except for two small braids she had pulled back. Her makeup was the same as usual.

She usually preferred skirts, but that day she wore some light blue flare jeans with a dark blue sweater that was a few sizes too big for her.

But it wasn’t her clothes that had made me speechless.

It was her smile.

A few days ago, I wanted to come up with a plan to bring back the effortless and happy smile, I had last seen nine years ago.

Here she stood in front of me with that exact smile.

“I know it’s not special, but it’s pretty cold outside, and I want to enjoy this day instead of freezing my butt off,” she chuckled, waiting for me to say something.

“Tu es belle.”

“You got a horrible accent, but the fact that you’re trying is so adorable,” she whispered, kissing me on the cheek.

“Come on, is it that bad?”

Tillie smirked, “But the thought is what counts. Besides, you say Fleur better than me.”

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