Chapter 7
7
VIOLET
T hank goodness Jack’s project involves so much busy work on my end. It helps me focus.
If I were allowed to be alone with my thoughts for more than a second or two, I might start thinking about him again. The way he held me. The way he didn’t care if everyone in the city saw us together.
There’s no doubt in my mind that he wants a real relationship with me. The only question is why ? A man like him could easily find himself a supermodel. Or at least a woman who can speak to a group of people without freaking out.
I keep myself occupied all morning sourcing the plants and materials for the wall and start putting together proper sketches for the five greenery nooks that will be dotted around the office.
After a few hours at the computer I stand up and stretch, staring across my section of the back room. The shop is divided into the customer space out front, and our work area in the back. The door between the two is always open so we can hear the bell.
We each have a corner with a desk and our own shelves around us. There are more gigantic shelves in the center, filled with enough pots and plants that we feel separate enough to have some privacy.
I take a moment to check out the website for English Investments. They’re mainly focused on new and innovative tech companies, and other little-known investment opportunities. It seems like they make sense of investing for people who have money, but not a lot of understanding of how these things work.
I have neither money nor understanding.
Then I run a search on Jack himself. He comes up on several sites. The general consensus seems to be that he is both brilliant and well-respected. Yet every bio that wasn’t written by his own PR team also mentions his father.
Apparently, John English was some kind of bad boy of the financial world, who made tons of money but also several enemies. A real cutthroat bastard. Yet he’s still well regarded, because he’s one of the best at what he does.
That must be super annoying for Jack, to have his father’s reputation overshadowing the good work he does. No wonder he didn’t want to talk about it.
The bell rings out front, and Jasmine jumps up to answer it. A moment later, she sashays toward me while holding out a small brown and gold package. “Somebody has an admirer!” she laughs.
The front bell dings again. This time it’s Mom who goes out front, while Iris runs over to join us in my corner. “Who’s it from?” Iris asks.
My hands are trembling as I open the box. “The gorgeous businessman who took me out to dinner last night, I guess.”
Wow. Every chocolate is like its own universe. Some are decorated with flowers and leaves, others with stripes and a glorious, glossy icing.
Jasmine peeks in. “I bet they’re from that new handmade place that was on the news. Girl – these are super expensive. He got you a full dozen?!”
I hold out the tray. “Please, take one.”
Mom returns when we each have a bonbon melting on our tongues. I silently hold out the box and nod, and she laughs. “Snack break, apparently.”
Jasmine moans around the mouthful of chocolate. “So good.”
“Read the card,” Iris insists.
I tilt it away from them to read. “Dinner again tonight, beautiful? Nothing fancy. Just something a little different. May I pick you up at the shop at 6:30?” He’s left his cell number for me to reply.
“Apparently, I have a dinner date tonight,” I announce.
Mom’s eyes narrow. “Is he a nice boy, dear?”
I giggle-snort. “He’s not a boy. He’s the CEO of an investment company. But yes, so far he’s been nothing but unbelievably sweet to me.”
Mom blinks in surprise, then looks back and forth between my sisters. “Do we approve of this?”
Iris nods. “Yup. If they hit five dates, we need to meet him.”
“For sure.” Jasmine nods decisively. “Those are the rules.”
“Rules?” I ask blankly.
Mom shrugs. “Yep. The rules we’re making up right now.”
“Fair enough,” I laugh. As soon as they go back to work, I send a text.
Thank you for the lovely chocolates. I’ll see you here at 6:30.
He responds in less than a minute.
Jack: Can’t wait to see you again, gorgeous.
The rest of the day is a blur of work and trying to think of what to wear. By the time I’m standing in front of my closet, my decision is made. After putting on a floral dress, I add my bangles and put up one side of my hair in daisy clips.
Jack has already seen the business version of me and the work version of me. He might as well see the date version of me – now that there is such a thing.
A few minutes before six-thirty, I walk downstairs to see a gorgeous silver convertible rolling up in front of the shop.
Jack jumps out and rushes over, wrapping his arms around me in a giant bear hug and spinning us around. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in a week.” Before I can reply, he presses a string of light kisses along my temple, my cheekbone, and down my throat, barely missing my mouth.
Then he stops, conspicuously looking around to make sure nobody is nearby before giving me a deep, soul-stirring kiss that makes the backs of my knees tingle.
There's a bounce in his step as we walk to the car. “Don’t worry, I’m not taking you on the highway or anywhere that will blow your lovely hair around. Just across town.”
We arrive at an upscale boutique hotel. Jack notices my puzzled expression. “No, I didn’t get us a room here.” He grins. “Okay, the thought crossed my mind. But we’re just having a quick dinner on the roof.”
As he holds my hand in the elevator, I wonder if it’s one of those small rooftop parks. Or a green patio area.
I was not expecting a giant greenhouse lit with candles and the sunset glowing behind us.