AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He hummed. “I do like coffee.”
It sounded as if he was smiling. “I was hoping you did, because if I were to ask if you wanted to meet me for one sometime, it’d be awkward if you didn’t like it.”
He chuckled. “And we couldn’t have it being awkward now, could we?”
“I don’t know. I think I’m managing it.”
He laughed this time. “This isn’t awkward. I googled the meaning of the Austrian copper rose, so there can’t be any awkwardness. On a scale of one to ten, you’re already at an eleven so...”
“Eleven? Great. So no pressure to maintain that level of non-awkwardness then.”
“No pressure at all.”
I stood there smiling like an idiot for a few long seconds.
Speak, Keats. Say something . . .
“So, coffee,” I managed. “Is Saturday or Sunday okay for you?” Then I felt the need to explain. “I work at the shop during the week, that’s all. Though I could probably take a short break around two o’clock most weekdays, if that suits? Or dinner, any night. Though fair warning, I don’t do late nights because I’m up pretty early every day to hit the markets.”
God, now stop speaking, Keats.
“Sorry,” I tacked on. “That was a lot.”
He laughed. “I don’t do late nights anymore either. I’m in my middle-aged-lesbian era, remember? If you want to order Korean takeaway and watch reruns ofHome and GardenorLove It Or List It, I’m your guy. It’s my life now.”
“Is it bad if I said that actually sounds like my kind of night?”
He snorted out a laugh. “Awesome. And if we want to live dangerously, we could watchHome Renovations Gone Wrong.OrMillion Dollar Designsand start a new trend for the gays everywhere.Drag Raceis out. Home-reno shows with men wearing cute tool belts and work boots is in.”
“You should organise a float for Mardi Gras.”
He gasped. “Do not tempt me.”
I laughed. I don’t think I’d stopped smiling yet. But it wasn’t lost on me that he hadn’t agreed to a day or time. “Well, text me when you’re free and I’ll?—”
“Saturday works for me,” he said quickly. “Two o’clock. There’s a cute coffee place on the King Street Wharf.”
My heart hammered against my ribs.
“Okay, great.”
“Will I see you on Friday though?” he asked. “Will you be delivering the kumquat tree and bouquets, or will someone else?”
Oh.
“Willyoube there to oversee this delivery?” I asked.
“Yes, I will be.”
“Then I should deliver them myself. You know, to ensure everything is to your liking.”
“I do like a man who delivers.”
I blushed, thankful he couldn’t see me, and it took me a second before I could speak. “Send me through the delivery address and who I need to invoice. And what time you need them delivered.”
“I will.”
“Okay then. I’m going to hang up now before I make this more awkward for real.”
