Chapter 127 127. Fragrant Allergies
Tabitha’s POV
The five of us step into the flower shop, and the fragrant scent of flowers envelops us right away. It clings to the air and seeps into every corner of the place. Even to me, it feels strong, almost tangible, like breathing in color. Personally, I find it pleasant. But the same can’t be said to the brothers.
Their bodies turn rigid after just a few steps inside the shop almost as if the air itself offends them. I notice Jace scrunch his nose and Reed looking on the verge of sneezing. Evren and Luca’s shoulders tense and their expression contorts to something that resembles being torture.
It’s as if their bodies brace before their minds catch up.
“Why did you drag us in here?” I hiss at Jace in a hushed voice. “We all know werewolves like you are allergic to flowers!”
Jace sneezes before he can answer. He rubs his nose and exhales through his mouth.
“Because you kept staring at this place earlier,” he explains. “Back when we first walked into the mall.”
My lips part as I stare at him.
“Wait. How did you even notice that?”
“I always notice things about you.”
Reed furiously elbows Jace. “Don’t hog all the glory, fucker.”
Jace rolls his eyes. Reed turns to me and tilts his head.
“Clarification—we. We always notice things about you. We pay attention to what you like and what you dislike, and even to the things that annoy you. We notice how you purse your lips when something bothers you, and how you roll your eyes when you think the person you’re talking to is foolish, even though you are still genuinely enjoying the conversation. So naturally, noticing how you wanted to get some flowers from here is as easy as cracking a beer open with my teeth,” he declares.
I bite my lip, trying hard not to blush but pretty sure I’m failing. “I-I was just looking,” I mumble. “It was nothing serious. I just thought the flowers were pretty, that’s all.”
Luca taps his temple. “Don’t play it down. We felt your desire for these flowers. Don’t forget that we have a mindlink.”
I roll my eyes. “Ugh. Yeah right. Do I no longer have any privacy left because of that thing?”
“The mindlink only allows us to sense and share each other’s emotions and presence, not direct thoughts. At least not the ones you don’t consciously allow us to hear,” Evren explains.
Great. I don’t want to be a walking megaphone. Last thing I want is to have them hear my thoughts out loud—especially if the said thoughts are embarrassing at best!
“That’s good and all but seriously, you don’t have to do this. Not when all four of you are on the verge of having tuberculosis.”
As if on cue, Luca sneezes, followed by Reed. Jace pinches his nose and shakes his head.
“This is nothing. We’re not wimps,” Jace declares.
“Yeah, you’re just being silly. Come on, guys! Sure, I admit—I liked the flowers, okay? I thought they were beautiful and I guess it’s been a while since I have received one…”
Not true. I’ve never received flowers from boys before—except from my dad when he gave me flowers every year during my birthday when he was still alive but that doesn’t count! Because he’s my dad, not some boy.
“I’m not… I’m not desperate for it,” I mutter but I’m not sure if I sound convincing enough.
Luca smiles at me.
“We are not the type who wait for you to want something so badly that it hurts,” he says. “If something makes you pause and look twice, that is reason enough.”
I open my mouth to say something but no words come out. For a moment, I don’t know what to say. Thankfully, one of the flower shop staff approaches us before I embarrass myself with a half-ass response.
“Hello! Would you like to purchase some flowers?” One of the shop’s florists approaches us. She’s wearing round-framed glasses, a lavender shirt, jeans, and a friendly smile.
Luca nods at the florist. “Do you do a custom flower arrangement?”
“Oh yes! You can pick the flowers you want from our selection.” She gestures at their arsenal of flowers. And oh boy, they have everything; roses, lilies, carnations, sunflowers—the works!
Reed turns toward me. “What flower do you like?” he asks.
I hesitate. Huh, now that’s a question.
“I’m not really a flower expert. But I like ranunculus and lisianthus,” I answer. “My dad used to press them between book pages when I was younger and used them as bookmarks, and I liked how they kept their shape even after everything else flattened out.”
I recall the time when my dad gifted me a storybook on my seventh birthday and a makeshift bookmark using pressed pink and apricot ranunculus inside a laminated sheet. He also made my mom a custom keychain with pressed red and white lisianthus during one of their anniversaries. I remember it because mom loves the sight of flowers but doesn’t get to enjoy them often because of a werewolf’s sensitivity to fragrances. So my dad made sure she still gets to enjoy and admire flowers without having to endure their scent.
“Perfect! We have plenty of options for those flowers. As you can see here, we carry ranunculus and lisianthus in a variety of colors. You can choose whichever ones you like, and we can work on the arrangement from there. We also offer several presentation options, whether you’d prefer a bouquet, a basket, or any other style you have in mind.”
Wow, this shop is fancier than I thought.
“What else do you like, baby? We’re getting a special bouquet for you,” Jace mutters, smiling.
Now, I’m not sure if I am able to stop the blush from breaking all over my face.
“M-Maybe… anemones? I like how their dark centers contrast with the petals. And oh—spray roses, too! They’re small but delicate, and I think they’d look nice mixed in. Uh… What else? Maybe some wax flowers for texture… and a little eucalyptus, just for greenery.”
Reed pinches his lower lip as if trying to stifle a smile. I blush harder. Did I overdo it?
“I, uh, forget about it—I mean I can just stick with ranunculus and lisianthus or maybe pick one between them. It’s not like I’m gonna need an actual bouquet, anyway. Just… Just a few pieces will do,” I say frantically.
Damn it, Tabitha! They just asked you what flowers you like! Not a damn florist catalogue!
“Nonesense. Pick as many as you like,” Luca declares. “We’re gonna get you the biggest bouquet in this shop.”
“W-What—”
“Bring out all the pretty flowers you have!” Reed announces, snapping his fingers.
The florist, along with the other staff, snappily follows the instruction. Just like that, the brothers crouch over the flowers like they are inspecting candies in a candy store. Only these goodies are something they’re practically allergic to.
I can’t help but appreciate the gesture.
After a few more attempts to talk them down, I finally settle on a few more flowers to add to what Jace insists on calling a “special bouquet.” Soon, several florists work together to assemble it. They weave stems and colors into something far larger than I ever imagined holding.
Oh my god.
“Don’t you think that thing is too big? What am I supposed to say to our parents once I bring that giant home?” I blurt out.
Jace snickers. “Tell them we had a little too much time in the mall while they were busy shoe-hunting.”
“Is that even gonna fit inside the car?!”
“Trust me, it’ll fit. It always does,” Reed says and winks at me.
Heat creeps up to my cheeks once again. These brutes!
While the florists move to the back to arrange the bouquet. Luca glances toward the counter again.
“Speaking of which, we should get something for your mom too,” he says.
The suggestion catches me off guard. They have been polite to her lately, especially after everything that happened. Still, I didn’t expect this. The thought that they even considered her on a random afternoon makes my chest feel full in a way I am not prepared for.
“Uh… are you sure?” I ask carefully.
“Why not? Is she not fond of flowers?” Luca says right after sneezing.
“I’d find that hard to believe. After all, their wedding was nothing short of a flower festival,” Reed chimes in.
“Actually, my mom does like flowers. Even though she is a she-wolf, she tolerates a few with a mild scent. She likes pretty things.”
“In that case, let’s choose something with a mild scent…” Luca scans the display. “Freesia is popular among werewolves. The scent is sweet without being sharp, and it looks elegant.”
I nod. “Yeah. That is one of the few she actually enjoys.”
“How about tulips? They’re pretty enough and they practically don’t have any fragrant scent at all. Plus, they come in different colors,” Jace suggests.
“What about peonies?” Jace adds, rubbing his chin. “They look soft. Fancy without trying too hard.”
Reed hums in agreement.
“Hydrangeas could work too. They last a while, and they’re easy on the nose.”
“Those actually sound perfect for her,” I comment.
“Great. We will get her a bouquet too,” Evren declares, gesturing for another staff member and gives the order.
“Thank you. She is really going to appreciate that.”
Evren nods, and he exchanges a look with the others that I cannot quite read.