“Don’t worry about price. I mean it, Linc.” Monroe whispered it, but it was a small room and I was close enough to hear. I pretended not to.
Lincoln sighed, then shook his head. “No. No, the amaryllis is good. They’re gorgeous and they have all the red and pink and white I want. They’re perfect.” He gave me a big smile, but it didn’t quite reach his dark, liquid eyes.
“Lincoln—”
“Just the amaryllis and the greens we talked about. One bouquet, two corsages, and nine boutonnieres. Eight small centerpieces and two larger arrangements for where we say our vows. That’s all we need.” Lincoln’s voice was stronger than I’d yet heard it, and Monroe deflated under it. But there was also something in his eyes I couldn’t interpret.
I wanted to push and find out what was going on in Monroe’s head, but it wasn’t my place. Lincoln was my client, and he’d spoken.
“All right then! I’ll draw up the contract, you read it over, and then we’ll sign and I’ll get the down payment.” I made a show of sliding across the room on my stool, because it usually amused my clients. Lincoln let out a tiny laugh, so I called it a win. I pulled up the necessary document and started filling in the blanks. “Won’t take but a moment. And I’ll have some mockups in two weeks so you can come in and approve the final designs. Sound good?” 2
Lenore was on her lunch break and Zoe, her other employee, was off, so I was alone in the shop, frantically trying to finish the samples for Lincoln Peters in my office, when the chime alerted me someone had walked in. I stifled the curse that wanted to escape, yelled “be right there!”, and slid the final piece of greenery into the centerpiece. I’d done two different versions in the glass bowl Lincoln had chosen, and was confident he’d love at least one of them. The larger arrangements I’d filled in with other flowers of the same colors that he wanted, but I just wanted to give him an idea. He’d chosen the bouquet, corsages, and boutonnieres out of my big book, so I hadn’t had to make those.
I wiped off my hands, then headed to the front room, only to be greeted by a smiling Monroe. Who appeared to be alone. I greeted him with a smile, tried not to let my libido get the better of me—I could smell his citrusy-woodsy scent even over the flowers—and shook his hand.
“Lincoln on his way?”
“He’s stuck at work,” Monroe said with an apologetic grin. “But I’m here to approve and send pics.” He held up his phone and shook it, that ever-present grin on his face.
“All right then. Let me show you what I’ve come up with.” I gestured a little wildly and Monroe stifled a chuckle.
He followed me into the back room, and I turned, ready to explain about the larger arrangements. But Monroe’s gaze was laser-focused on me, and he opened his mouth even before I could.
“I want you to add the calla lilies. Can you still get them in time?”
“I can,” I said slowly, my Spidey senses tingling. “But Lincoln said no, and it’s his order—”
“He said no because he couldn’t justify the greater cost. But I’m paying for them. You saw his face, West. You know he wanted them.”
I nodded, but it still didn’t feel right to go against my client’s wishes. It wasn’t the first time someone had tried to change an order on the client’s behalf. Usually it was for more sinister reasons, and was often one or both of the mothers attempting it. It was against my policy to make any changes without the approval of the person who signed the contract. Before I could voice that, Monroe was speaking again.
“Listen. Lincoln is the best guy I know. He’s awkward and anxiety-ridden, but he’s so brave, putting himself out there. He was the one to walk up to James that first time.” Monroe’s expression softened. “We were out at a bar. Lincoln is so shy, and his anxiety rules his life. But he saw James and he lost his heart, right then and there. I’ve never seen him be so brave as he introduced himself and bought James a drink. James had just come off duty, he was still wearing his uniform, and most people were giving him a wide berth. Because cop, you know? But not Lincoln. He knew what he wanted and he was scared shitless, but he went after it
“You don’t know my brother. I realize that. But he’d never put himself out there. But this time he did, and he got the man of his dreams. And they’re so good together. A wedding is just one day, but I want it to be everything Lincoln wants. Right down to the flowers. So please. Lilly boutonnieres for the grooms. One or two in the centerpieces, the bouquet, and the arrangements.”
The love and pride Monroe had for his brother just poured out of him and he was so dang earnest. I was not heartless. In fact, I was a big romantic sap. Tears prickled my eyes and I had to draw a deep breath through my nose to keep them from gathering, or worse yet, falling. I nodded without even realizing it, but I still had reservations. As much as I wanted to make Monroe happy, as much as I wanted him to be able to give this gift to his brother, the client’s order was absolute.