I lean back against my couch, phone pressed against my ear, calling my buddy Zeke. I know he’s the one that set up my semi-date with Jodie last night.
“How do you know it was me?” he laughs.
“You’re the only one that would. What kind of flowers did you order her anyway?” I ask.
“Some shit the florist called their Spring Delight Bouquet. I just told them I’d made an asshole of myself and needed something to say I’m sorry. Oh, and I left a great tip.”
“How much do I owe you?” I ask him, trying not to laugh.
“Not a damn thing. I had it billed to your ass. Didn’t want it to blow up on you later if she found out you didn’t send them.”
“Gee thanks,” I mumble. “I don’t know what made you step in, but I’m glad you did,” I tell him, and I’m not lying.
“I stepped in because you wouldn’t have, and you’re strung out over that woman,” he says, and okay, now he’s getting annoying.
“I wouldn’t call it strung out,” I complain.
“Bullshit, you were drunk over a chick. You can’t tell me you’ve ever done that.”
“Okay, fine, I haven’t, but that doesn’t mean I’m strung out.”
“You haven’t had one woman since Jodie. If you don’t realize what that means, then you’re even stupider than I give you credit for.”
“Fine, I’m a little strung out. But I hate to tell you, Zeke, your plan didn’t work.”
“You’re shittin’ me. You blew it?”
“She admitted she’s attracted to me,” I mutter, sounding like a child.
“Gee, Linc—”
“Kiss my ass,” I laugh. “That’s all I got. I fucked up bad with Jodie. I’ll have to work to get her to forgive me.”
“Damn. Are you going to?”
“Work for her?”
“Yeah, Linc. No disrespect man, but working for a chick is not your strong suit.”
“It hasn’t been, but it’s going to be.”
Zeke whistles into the phone and I hold it out from my ear, rolling my eyes.
“What’s your next step?” he asks.
“I’m going to take a page out of your book,” I tell him with a smile.
“I doubt it. I don’t chase women, dude. They chase me.”
“Yeah, whatever. Talk to you later, man.”
“Later, Linc,” he says.
“Oh and Zeke?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks man. Much appreciated.”
“Just make it count,” he says, hanging up.
I stare at the screen on my phone, hoping like hell I even know how to make it count. Then, I find my balls and call the flower shop.
“The Flower Patch, how can we plant your seed of happiness today?”
Yikes.
“I ordered flowers for my girlfriend yesterday and I kind of want to repeat the order today, only bigger.”
“Oh! Lincoln Locke, right?”
Jesus. Living in a small town can suck.
“Yeah. You think you can hook me up?”
“Jodie didn’t melt, did she? You know, you might have had better luck if you had ordered her favorite flower.”
“I don’t know it,” I admit sadly.
“That’s not good. A man should always know his girlfriend’s favorite flower,” the woman chastises.
“Can I be honest with you, here?”
“Sure!”
“Jodie doesn’t exactly know she’s my girlfriend yet.”
“Ohhh…”
“I could really use some help here. I’m not exactly experienced when it comes to chasing a woman.”
“You’re really gone for her, then. The girls have been talking about it.”
I push my hand through my hair and close my eyes. Then, I take the plunge.
“Yeah, I think I’m gone for her.”
“Then, I’ll let you know that her favorite flower is Gerbera Daisies.”
“Daisies? Are you sure? I would have figured she loved roses or something classic”
“Nope. Daisies.”
“Okay, so can you hook me up and send her something even more special than what you sent her way yesterday, but this time with daisies?”
“I can do that. You know what you might want to check into?”
“What’s that?”
“Check out Bela’s Bakery. Jodie has a big sweet-tooth.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that,” I tell her. “I’ll be by tomorrow to pay my bill and order another order.”
“Totally gone,” she laughs, hanging up the phone.
Sometimes living in a small town is annoying.
13
Jodie
Three Days Later
“Oh my God! More flowers? He’s totally knotted up in you!”
“Can you keep your voice down?” I hiss, looking around at everyone staring at me. I grab the card off the most gorgeous daisy arrangement I’ve ever seen. That’s saying something since I got a pretty spectacular one yesterday. I reach for the card, but annoying Bella grabs it before I do. “Do you mind?” I growl. Apparently she doesn’t, cause she doesn’t even blink.
“Oh my God, oh my God!” she squeals. “He’s coming by your house tonight to pick you up for dinner!”
“What?” I screech, my heart ceasing to beat as panic floods me.
“Look!” she says, flashing my card in front of my face.
I reach out quickly and grab it from her and that’s when true panic begins to set in. “He can’t come to my house!”
“He’s going to,” Bella singsongs and seriously, she’s freaking annoying. What’s worse is I’m starting to kind of like her. What’s up with that?