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We pulled up to the flower shop and I got out. I drew in a deep breath, taking in the front of the small store. So this was where Grace had worked before coming to live with me. It suited her somehow. The floral arrangements in the windows
were beautiful and the wooden accents that decorated the front of the shop as well as the sign lended a natural beauty that reminded me of her. I opened the door and walked in, taking stock of the older woman behind the counter.
She looked over at me with her kind hazel eyes, but I was looking around the shop.
Looking for Grace.
“Welcome to Emmy’s Flowers,” the woman said. “I’m Emilia.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Emilia.”
“Is there anything specific you’re looking for today?”
“A dozen of your most beautiful red and white roses,” I said.
“Six of each?”
“That would be perfect, thank you.”
“Who’s the lucky lady?” she asked.
“Someone I care for greatly who I also owe an apology to.”
“Hence the white roses. A nice touch. I think she’ll like the suit, too. It looks fabulous on you.”
“I try,” I said, grinning.
“It might take me a few minutes to put it together. Are you okay waiting?”
“That’s fine, thank you.”
“I’m a little short-staffed today,” the woman said. “The girl who usually helps me has the next couple of days off.”
“Well I hope it isn’t anything too serious.”
“Oh no. Nothing like that. Sundays and Mondays are her days off from this place.”
“I’m sure she deserves them.”
“That she does. I’m doing whatever I can to keep her around. She single-handedly helps me keep this place going,” she said.
“Sounds like an incredible woman.”
“She is. I lost her there for a while to another job, but I’m glad she’s back.”
“Did the job not work out in her favor?”
I felt my heart stop in my chest when Emilia’s face fell.
“I think she might’ve gotten in a little over her head. Grace— the woman that works for me?— she’s always doing things with her whole heart. But I think that makes it easier for her to get hurt at times.”
It made me sick to hear her say that.
“It’s why she’s such a phenomenal florist. And wonderful with flowers. She throws all of her love and passion and dedication into them and they flourish. She deserves that kind of compassion from other people. And I don’t think she got it at her previous job.”
“Then it sounds like the right choice was made for her,” I said.
The woman slowly turned to me, her eyes scanning me up and down. A rose was poised midair, clamped between her two fingers. She narrowed her eyes at me and I stuck my hands in my pockets, trying to conceal the shaking in them.
