I walk into the shop with a smile on my face, “Good morning, Janet.”
“Morning, boss lady. What’s got you so happy this morning? Did Alek make a surprise trip to see you?”
I stop at the edge of the counter, “What? No, he’s in Dallas preparing for his performance tonight.”
Janet laughs, “Have you considered surprising him?”
“Surprising him? You mean at a show?”
Janet snickers as she replies, “Yes at a show. There’s this amazing mode of transportation called an airplane that will get you where you want to go in a quarter of the time it takes to drive.”
I roll my eyes at her, “I know what an airplane is, Janet. And yes, I may have thought once or twice about surprising him. But in case you haven’t heard, I own a business and I have obligations that need to be met.”
This time it’s Janet that rolls her eyes, “Please, save the obligation speech for the newbies. You know I can handle anything that needs to be done around here. So, the next time you feel like you need a day off or need to surprise that incredible man that basically fell in your lap, go. I got this.”
All my defenses relax, because honestly, I don’t know what I would do without Janet. She loved my grandmother almost as much as I did, and she’s right she could handle anything I asked her to do. I step forward and wrap her in a hug, “Thank you Janet. Have I told you lately how amazing you are?”
She steps out of my embrace, “No you have not and you’ve been here for more than ten minutes.”
I laugh and shake my head as I walk back behind the counter, “I’m going to check on a few orders before Megan arrives for our meeting.”
“Okay, I’ll let you know when she gets here.”
“Thanks.”
I step into the workroom and put my things away before turning on the computer. I take a seat at the desk and bring up the site for our wholesaler. Checking on my latest order, I see that it’s supposed to arrive today. Breathing a sigh of relief, I close the program and check for any orders placed overnight.
I pull the flowers I need for the order and select a vase for the anniversary bouquet to be delivered to the bank before noon. Just as I finish tying a ribbon around the vase, my phone alerts with a text. I wipe my hands on my apron and open my messages. I smile when I see it’s from Alek.
Alek: Off to rehearsal. Tonight and tomorrow’s performances I’ll be accompanied by a full orchestra.
Me: That will be amazing. Wish I could be there.
Alek: Me too. Wish me luck.
Me: You don’t need luck, you’re the most talented person I know.
Alek: You’re sweet and good for my ego. ;) I think I’ll keep you around.
I laugh at the winking emoji he included in his message.
Me: I was hoping you would. :)
I hear the bell over the door ring just moments before Janet peeks her head in. “Megan is here for your meeting.”
“Thanks, I’ll be right out.”
Me: Gotta go take care of a bride-to-be.
Alek: Good luck with the bride. I’ll call you tonight after my performance.
Me: Okay, talk to you then.
I gather my file for Megan, along with the ribbon that will bind the bouquets, and walk out to meet her.
I smile as I greet her, “Megan, so nice to see you again.”
She turns from where she’s looking at the arrangements in the cooler and walks over to the counter. “Rose, thanks for seeing me. I just wanted to stop in and make sure everything was set for this weekend.”
“Of course. I checked with the supplier this morning, and the flowers are scheduled to be delivered today.” I take the ribbon samples out of the folder and place them on the counter. “I have the ribbon in stock and ready for all the bouquets and the containers for the table arrangements for the reception came in yesterday.”
“Well it sounds like you have everything under control.”
“We do. Flowers will be delivered to the church by three o’clock, and then we’ll deliver the table arrangements to the reception venue.”
Megan sighs and I see her visibly relax, “Thank you Rose. You have no idea what a relief it is to not have to worry about this.”
Her compliment fills me with pride, “Weddings are stressful enough, I’m so glad we could ease your mind of at least one thing.”
She smiles, “You know, I don’t know if you knew this or not, but every bouquet of flowers, Patrick has ever given me has come from your shop. All of them have been so beautiful, that I always knew you’d be the one doing my wedding.”
“Well, I’m honored to be part of your special day, and I hope to be creating arrangements for you for many years to come.”
Megan smiles, “I hope so too.”
Once Janet and I are alone again, we work out a plan on how we are going to create twelve table arrangements, four bouquets, nine boutonnieres and six corsages.
“So when the order arrives, I’ll separate out the flowers we’ll be using for the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, the rest we’ll use for the table arrangements.”
“Sounds good. So we'll do the arrangements on Friday?”
“Yes, and we'll keep them in the cooler so they’ll be fresh for delivery on Saturday. I did, however, buy enough extra flowers that we can make a practice table arrangement today.”
Janet hops off the stool she’s sitting on, “Well, if we’re going to be busy all afternoon sorting flowers and making practice arrangements, I’m going to go grab our lunch. You want the usual?”
I hand her my debit
