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“What renovations and how many units does he have?” Ben’s face is puzzled.
“Of the three units in the building, he owns two. He owns the units on the first and third floor. And from what I saw today, he has added a balcony to the front of his third-floor unit, and a swimming pool to the first floor,” I explain, mentally wondering what it is he does for a living.
“Rich and handsome, shit, can we go see him, uh... I mean your place now?” Jenna jokes, nudging Ben. Then looking at her watch she yells, “Crap, I'm gonna be late. I have to go. Unlike you two, I can't just make up my own hours.” Sliding out of the booth she mutters, “Oh, I almost forgot!” Reaching into her large handbag, she hands me a file folder. “Young one, only twenty, leukemia, starts chemo next week. Here's her information, message me later if she checks out,” Jenna informs.
“Shit, that is young,” I say taking the folder from her. “I will call you later, but no problem, I’ll take her on if everything checks out.”
“Oh, and one more thing, C, Saturday is spa day, don't forget. We have an appointment at 10:00 a.m.,” Jenna reminds me sternly.
“Ugghh,” I respond grudgingly, rolling my eyes. I hate spa days. People touching you, looking at your nails way too long, silently judging your cuticles. I like my space and having spa day is anything but.
“You promised to go with me at least once a month.” She raises a brow at me. The tightness in her voice conveying she’s serious.
“I know, I just—"
“Besides, when your hot neighbor decides to rip your panties off, you don't want to be sporting a pussy that belongs in a seventies issue ofPlayboy,” she interrupts my response.
Ben starts to choke as soon as the sentence is out of her mouth, soda coming out of his nose. “Damn, Jenna,” he coughs, reaching for the napkin holder on the table.
“Okay, celebration over!” I say, scared the other patrons may have heard Jenna and we will be kicked out. Not everyone appreciates her crudeness like Ben and me.
4
C
After walking Jenna to her car, Ben and I cross the street, heading back to the floral shop. It’s a typical shop. Small brick building with front windows. A simple “Flower Shop” across one. Ben keeps telling me we need to draw flowers or leaves on the glass, but I think less is better.
“Have you been to the attorney's office to sign the papers yet?” I ask Ben. “No, not yet. Are you sure you want to give me fifty percent of the shop, C? I'm scared you don't know what you’re doing. It's a big deal, you know?” “Of course I know what I am doing. My mom and I talked about it a long time ago. She had already started the paperwork to change her will, giving us each fifty percent but she died before it was completed. I'm fulfilling her wishes, and mine too. It's just different paperwork but will have the same outcome.”
“I do love this place,” he says, looking up at the flower shop, “and I love you, C.” His voice is soft as he looks back at me. “But I want to talk to Parker first, now that he and I are living together, I think I should include him in such a big decision.”
“Geeshh, you haven't told him yet?” I shake my head. “Maybe you can talk to him tonight?”
“I will, C, I promise,” he says, unlocking the glass door of the shop.
Entering the shop, Ben walks around the counter, checking to see if we have any phone messages. I proceed past him, heading to the door that leads to the small warehouse. Punching in the code that unlocks the door, I go into the office located to left and lay the folder Jenna had given me at the diner on the desk. I will work on it after I have finished in the warehouse. Even though we ordered fresh-cut flowers from outside sources, we still grow a lot of our own flowers and herbs here in the warehouse and they need tending to several times a day. Checking the timers to the grow lights and fans, I proceed to water all the flowers and herbs, checking each one carefully, removing any dead leaves, and changing the soil in the ones that are looking ill. I then move onto the worm farm. I liked the idea of making our own organic soil, and so far, it is working out great. Going to the refrigerator, I retrieve some raw vegetable scraps the diner always saves for me. As I’m scattering the scraps over the four large tubs of worms, Ben comes and starts checking the thermometers in the tubs, adjusting the heaters so the worms don't get cold during the night. “Go ahead and do your stuff, C. I’ll finish this,” Ben offers, nodding in the direction of the office.
“Okay, just holler if you need anything,” I reply. Walking off toward the office, I can hear Ben start singing “Wiggle”by Jason Deruloto the worms, which always makes me smile. I'm not sure if he knows worms can't hear but I love when he sings, he has a lovely voice, so I'm not going to tell him. I spend the next two hours doing paperwork and going over the folder that contains the information on the girl Jenna has referred. Her name is Emma Green, twenty years old. Diagnosed with CML leukemia two weeks ago. Starting chemotherapy Monday and stem cell therapy is to follow after completion of chemo. Fuck, this poor girl, this is just not fair to her or her family. I do a background check and am relieved that she clears our protocols. Looking at the clock on the computer, I realize it's time to close the shop. Turning off the computer, I head out to the warehouse to help Ben finish up.
“Hey, C, so when are you going to start moving into your new place?” Ben asks while sweeping the floor.
“I think I will start tomorrow if we’re not too busy,” I say, grabbing the dustpan to help him.
“You know Parker and I can help you tomorrow after he gets off work,” he says, sweeping the dirt into the dustpan I am bent down holding on the floor.
“Are you nuts!? It's Parker's birthday!” I can’t help the perturbed look on my face. If my boyfriend made me move someone in on my birthday, I’d dump his ass. Then again, maybe I am a princess like Ben said before.
“I know, we can do his birthday after were done,” he explains, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.
“Absolutely not. I will move what I can tomorrow. You and Parker can help me with the bigger stuff over the weekend,” I negotiate, standing up to look at him holding the now dirt-filled dustpan in front of me.
“I know, C, but you won't stay with Parker and me, and we both hate you staying here at night, sleeping on the sofa in the office. Really, we would be happy to do it,” Ben tries to convince me, taking the dustpan from my hand.
“You and Parker just moved in together a few months ago, that's not enough time alone together to be adding a third wheel. Besides, one or two more nights here won't kill me, Ben. And seriously, moving someone on your birthday equals worst birthday ever,” I laugh.
“Fine, but we’re getting you moved in this weekend,” he says sternly, turning to dump the contents of the dustpan in the trash.
“Okay, now go home to your man. I will see you tomorrow,” I tell him, taking the dustpan and broom from him. He tilts his head to the side, giving me those sweet eyes.
