“That sounds good.”
Silence stretches between us as we make the quick drive to the restaurant. “I don’t think I thanked you for the gift basket. I enjoyed every item in it, and the local brew was a nice touch.”
“I’m glad you liked it. I try to put some thought into what goes into them.”
“How long have you owned the flower shop?”
“Just a few years. It originally belonged to my grandmother, so I grew up there. I took over when she passed away.”
“I’m sorry. Did she name the shop after you?”
“Thank you,” she says as she shakes her head. “No, roses were actually her favorite flower, and my mother thought it would be a good name for me as well.”
I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant, turn off the engine and catch her gaze, holding it as I say, “Named after a beautiful flower, a perfect choice indeed.”
Her cheeks turn a light pink as she breaks the spell between us, giving me a shy smile.
Exiting the car, I open her door and help her step out. Placing my hand at the small of her back, I hear her breath catch at my touch, and I smile to myself at the effect my touch has on her. We enter the restaurant, only waiting a few minutes before the maître d shows us to a table, leaving our menus and promising our server will be with us shortly.
We begin to browse the menu while we wait for our server, “Have you been here before?”
Rose lowers her menu so she can see over it, “A few times, the food is always good.”
A minute later, our server arrives to take our order. Rose orders the manicotti and I order the chicken parmigiana along with a bottle of red wine.
With our order placed, I decide to start the conversation, “You said you grew up at your grandmother’s flower shop, have you lived here all your life?”
“I have. My mother had me young. She was able to provide for us by working her way up at one of the department stores. By the time I was ten, she had become district manager and had caught the eye of the corporate office. They made her an offer she couldn’t refuse and my grandmother offered to keep me here with her so I wouldn’t be left alone while my mother climbed the corporate ladder.”
“That must have been really hard on you.”
She shrugs casually, but the hurt in her eyes is unmistakable. “It was at first, but I think it would have been harder being away from my grandmother.”
Delivering the bottle of wine I ordered, our server interrupts the conversation. Pouring each of us a glass of the rich red wine before leaving the bottle for us to enjoy.
“And your father?”
“My father was never in the picture.” She straightens her shoulders and smiles, a move I have feeling she does a lot. “What about you? Where did you grow up?”
“Not too far from here actually, Roanoke, Virginia.”
She smiles wide, “I knew I heard an accent, I just couldn’t place it.”
I laugh, “Yes the longer I spend in the South, the more noticeable it becomes.”
“Well, mine is firmly in place,” she says in her sweet southern voice. “Do you have any siblings?”
I nod my head as I answer, “An older brother and younger sister. You?”
She shakes her head, “My mother eventually married, but didn’t have any other children. What about your parents?”
“My father was an attorney, and my mother was a teacher. They are both retired now.”
Before the conversation can continue any further, our server arrives and places our meals in front of us before leaving us once again.
“This looks delicious, and much too hot to eat just yet.”
I chuckle at her analysis, “I agree. How about a toast while we wait for it to cool.” Lifting my wine glass, “To unexpected meetings.”
The candlelight flickers in her brown eyes, highlighting the gold flecks, and making it even harder to tear my gaze away from hers. “To unexpected meetings,” she mimics breathlessly as she touches her glass to mine, her eyes unwavering from mine as we each take a sip. Rose sets down her wine glass effectively breaking the spell between us, yet further confirming that there is something between us. Something I fully intend on pursuing.
Chapter 7
Rose
My alarm goes off at seven-thirty, for the first time in a very long time, I find myself smiling as I stretch and greet the day. Last night was nothing short of amazing. The music, the food, the wine, the way Alek looked at me as if I was the most beautiful woman in the world. He’s so charming and unexpected, that I find myself wanting to spend as much time with him as possible.
If I’m honest, the feelings I have for Alek, scare me a bit. I’m not a stranger to romantic gestures and sweet words. Todd was a master manipulator, and managed to capture my heart. Now I’m more guarded than I should be, especially for someone who has always considered themselves to be a romantic.
I toss back the covers, climb out of bed and head for the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I step inside and let the warm water wash over me. Once I’m finished, I wrap myself in a fluffy towel, blow dry my hair and apply my makeup. Deciding to forgo my usual work uniform, I choose a sleeveless floral summer dress that falls just below my knee and a pair of pink sandals.
I walk into the kitchen, take my travel mug from the coffeemaker, drop a coffee pod into the trash and sit my mug on the counter. I open the refrigerator, take out a cup of yogurt and sit at the breakfast bar to eat my breakfast. I scroll through my phone glancing at the headlines until I find something interesting. I’m halfway through the latest story on the young royals
