AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thinking for a moment, I remember the old St. Mercy Hospital a few blocks away. I add instructions that the flowers are to be taken there and given to whoever needs ’em. I’m sure someone there will know what to do with a few dozen bunches of flowers turning up. There’s always someone who needs their day brightened.
I don’t usually send memos. The firm kinda runs itself without my interference. However, when I do, people take notice.
There are a ton of interns and attorneys convinced they will make partner one day. I hinted at it years ago, but that was before today… before Jasmine.
She’s the only one I want to partner with. And I don’t mean at a legal firm, either.
Seeing her has cemented the idea of early retirement in my mind. I’ve got enough for ten lifetimes, and she’s the only one I want to share every second with from now on. Once I learn to control myself around her, that is, and tell her how I feel.
My plan is to have the flowers bought by staff, who should look like regular customers.
I can watch from across the street… and then… then I can…
Yeah? And then what, Einstein?
Okay, so it’s a kind of on-the-fly sort of plan. I’ll play it by ear and see if I spot another opening to go see her.
Three times in one day? It’s a bit of a stretch, I know. Surely, she can see what she’s doing to me by now.
Just ask her if she’s busy after work. She should finish early if she sells out of flowers, right? Hmmm. Not such a dumb plan after all. We’ll see, and whatever you do, slick, don’t go acting all fucking crazy possessive again.
Chicks hate that. Don’t they?
I’m already itching to see Jasmine again. I decide I can watch from across the street again. I look around for the old lady so I can pay, but the place is empty. I call out after lingering by the “private” sign above the curtain she disappeared through, but nothing.
Reaching over, I leave a fifty under the mug I’ve drained. No more “free” or “on the house” for me today. I can pay my way, and if everything goes according to plan, I’ll have a hefty florist bill by the end of the day.
I keep out of sight, walking down the street before doubling back to my original vantage point.
A groan escapes me. Seeing her again, even from across the street, makes me feel a sense of urgency. The constant rain and gray skies only make Jasmine look all the brighter from where I’m standing.
I am impatiently checking my watch and then my phone. I’m wondering what the holdup is with my instructions. I’ve seen these people. They’re not exactly busting a hump sitting at a desk all day exchanging emails. Hell, I used to be that guy. I know how NOT very hard it is.
The coffee shop I just left closes its door. The “closed” sign swings left and right like a plastic hand waving goodbye. Strange time of day to close up, but if it’s just that old lady on her own, I can’t blame her. That’s hard work I’m looking at—normal, respectable people doing what it takes to make a business they can be proud of.
I’m proud of Jasmine already. Without knowing her story, I can see she’s made of the stuff people would hire if they could. People like her and the little old lady in the coffee shop have too much of their own steam to bother playing to someone else’s tune.
I just hope that same feisty attitude doesn’t apply when it comes to certain older men asking her out on a date.
The first car pulls up after I’ve waited for what feels like forever, but is really just long enough for people to make it to this side of town. I recognize a few faces as more arrive. They’re doing exactly as they were told. Sure, it’s a cushy job they’ve got, butthisis what lets me run it with such a loose hand on the reins.
Although they don’t know I’m watching, I’m proud of them, too, in a way. Doing what they have to do so they can live their own dreams, but smart enough to play the game when they have to. Doing what they’re asked to, especially when it’s coming from me.
My dream is right in front of me, and I feel the glow of satisfaction with each bunch or bush she sells her sudden run of new customers.
My plan to head back over might not be the brightest one, but I can’t play cat and mouse like this forever. I guess I just need to know if she’s into me or not, once and for all. Otherwise, I’ll never sleep again. Though I don’t think I could sleep, regardless of her answer. She’s the kind of girl that keeps a man up at night, in his bed or not.
I’m so lost in trying to keep my eyes on her, then finally getting my reward once it’s clear she’s sold out of everything. It doesn’t register that she’s closing up for the day.
She goes to the coffee place next door and sees the closed sign. She sinks a little before heading down the street.
Every last petal in the place is mine now, and there’s only one flower left to pluck.
So, will you just watch her ass walk away, or will you talk to her?
Snapping to my senses, I take off after her, keeping my distance because the few times I get close enough, I can feel it. That thing she does. However, she does it, or whatever it is, it only makes me want to do one thing, and I’m sure as hell not going to try that in public.
It’s last night all over again.
