Stop gaping at him, fool! Concentrate.
The very way he stood looking at the display shelf, his hands shoved in the pockets of his tailored pants, oozed confidence. As he scrutinized the floral arrangement on the shelf, Jen checked him out surreptitiously. When he took his hand out of his pocket she noted there was no ring on his ring finger. Okay. But he didn’t give off the unattached vibe. A guy like that must be taken. Certainly can’t be footloose or fiancé free.
Jen, focus.
What was with her all of a sudden? This wasn’t like her. It was just that she’d never met anyone like him before. Not that she had much experience in her thirty years. She’d spent most of it as a wall flower. Her ex was the closest she’d come to a real relationship.
“Hi, um…can I help you?” Jen’s timid voice slid out from her throat.
“Uh, yeah. I’m looking for a special…” Mr. Handsome paused when their eyes locked for a moment. An awkward moment.
“Gift?” she finished for him.
He seemed a bit distracted for a moment. Did she have something on her face? Jen began to feel self-conscious to the max. She stole a discreet glance at the mirror by the display case to make sure.
He ran his fingers through his mane and continued.
“Uh, yes. The most beautiful floral arrangement you have. Money is no object.”
“Oh, um…well sure.”
Jen tried desperately to calm the butterflies that let loose in her stomach. “Well, let’s see,” she said as she led him over to the special occasion section. “What’s the special occasion?”
She couldn’t help but catch the sweet scent of his aftershave. He smelled delicious. Stop it, Jen. He’s a customer, remember? It’s the Special Gift Flower Shop—not the Special Gift Flirting Shop.
“Well,” he said, hesitating for a moment. “I’m actually buying for someone special.”
“Oh?” How sweet, she thought. For his mom, probably.
“Yes, her name is Rose,” he continued.
Jen felt her stomach tumble to the floor.
“Oh?” She caught her tone quickly and tried to perk up again. Why on earth had she thought there was a spark? She really needed to focus. Was she that desperate to feel desired again after rejection from her ex?
As Jen surreptitiously observed Mr. Handsome’s physique and mannerisms, she couldn’t help but think to herself, Rose was one lucky woman! She wished she had a man buying her the most expensive bouquet of flowers today. She smiled and sheepishly led him over to the exotic display case where there were the most beautiful floral arrangements in the store.
“You’re new here,” he commented. Was it a question or an observation?
“Oh, yes. I just started this week. I’m in between jobs right now.”
“Oh?”
Jen felt like biting on her lip. Why had she divulged so much to this total stranger? There was something about him that made it feel so natural to talk to him. He gave off that aura.
What a strange question to ask. Was it that obvious? “I guess I give off the new sales girl vibe, do I?”
“Oh, no. Nothing like that. You’re very professional. Some people forget to smile when they’re on the job, especially working in customer service. I mean here you are in between jobs which I would never have known, by the way, and yet you gave me the biggest smile I’ve seen in days.”
“Oh, my gosh, now I’m all flustered. No one’s ever said that before. I mean I don’t really notice it.”
“Keep up that beautiful smile.”
“I will. I guess it’s just something I can’t help. I mean, my mom always raised me to believe that every job is important, whether cleaning the streets or running the country. Every person has value.”
“That’s true.” He smiled, his deep, sexy voice slid out like smooth honey.
From the corner of her eyes she caught him glancing at her, a grin on his face. Jen felt her insides tingle until she remembered he might be hot, charming, and caring but…he was somebody else’s man. She quickly wiped the smile off her face and regained her professional composure.
“Rose must be someone real special.”
“She is.” He wiped his brow and ran his fingers through his dark, smooth locks of hair and grinned to himself. His dimpled grin was so adorable. Gosh, Rose was lucky. He was tanned, had gorgeous facial features and broad strong looking shoulders. She wouldn’t be surprised if he worked out regularly at the gym. He towered over her. She guessed he must be at least six feet two inches. “Getting back to my asking you if you were new. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just…come here often.”