Chapter 5
5
IRIS
E very time we refresh our plant shop, I sit back and run the numbers while my mother and sisters attend to the creative stuff.
Wow. I’ve been missing out.
I’ve been surrounded by plants, art, and design all my life, but now that I’m leading my own project, it feels like all the knowledge that’s been swirling around in my brain for years finally has a focus. I’m especially glad that Ben is fine with all my choices.
By noon, I’ve finished my essential work at the shop, confirmed that the painters will be done at Ben’s within two hours, and Jasmine has finished potting up Violet’s choices for the plant arrangements.
“Thank you so much.” I watch as she taps the sides of the pots vigorously to make sure the soil has settled. “Sorry it’s such a rush.”
“No problem. I’ll just check on the front planters at Brody’s Books tomorrow instead.”
Something clicks in the back of my mind. “Ooh, planters. Like they have at Brody’s. How long would those take to make?”
Violet jumps up from her desk and joins us. “That’s a great idea. If you’re doing the inside, you should totally do the entranceway too. We have enough stock – hosta, coleus, some ferns for height, maybe a couple of bright fuchsia at the ends?”
“If it’s okay that the planters themselves are exactly like Brody’s, I have two spare in the back,” Jasmine says, straightening up.
“Perfect. I’ll call the guys to have them delivered to Ben’s office for end of day.”
I send a text to our delivery guys and general all around handymen, Craig and Brendan. When I look up, I see my sisters staring at me strangely. “What?”
“Speaking of Ben , are you going to actually, you know, tell us anything about him?”
My eyes snap closed. Busted.
Violet bursts into laughter. “We saw you getting out of his truck last night, girl. He’s obviously not just a client.”
“He’s…” There’s nothing I can say that would be both honest and logical without them rolling their eyes at me. “He’s amazing. Can we maybe leave it at that for now?”
They share a glance, then nod. “Only because you’re blushing so hard,” Jasmine says.
“And clearly very busy updating his entire life,” Violet adds.
I quickly fill them in on Ben’s idiot Uncle Wayne. How he’s already had two companies go belly-up and now wants to get his hands on Ben’s. How he thinks his age gives him seniority.
“I just hope I’m not overstepping,” I sigh, slumping into Jasmine’s chair. “I mean, this is all happening really fast.”
“Please. You’re always swooping in to save the day,” Jasmine says with a grin.
“Yeah,” Violet adds. “Every time we need something you know how to source it. And if we end up needing money for it, you have a little bit stashed somewhere.”
Jasmine nods. “It’s part of your… What do they call it?”
“Internal programming,” I mutter. “Sometimes referred to as first child syndrome.”
Violet laughs. “That’s it.”
The two of them take a look at my sketches, make a few suggestions and tweaks, then get back to work.
Everything is ready to go when Craig and Brendan arrive, and they give me a ride to Ben’s offices. They install the front planters, move the new reception desk into position, and put the dramatic new planter boxes into the lobby, conference room, and Ben’s office.
Dakota is extremely helpful and has Brendan move some more storage boxes to the back, while Craig helps me hang the paintings. Everything looks crisp and clean against the fresh white walls.
When we’re finished, he slings an arm over my shoulders. “Girlie, you killed it. I’ve watched your sisters design things over the years, but you approached this from a different angle. Almost surgical. Snap – this is now a glamorous space that radiates success.”
“Damn right it does.”
We spin to see Ben standing in the doorway, looking around in astonishment.
Craig quickly retrieves his arm, extending his hand. “You must be Ben. I’m Craig, old friend of the family. That’s Brendan in the back helping Dakota.”
Ben shakes his hand warmly. “Thanks so much for your help. Please add a twenty percent rush charge to the bill.”
Craig winks at me and stage whispers, “This guy is a class act.” He clears up the last of the tools, then goes back to help the others.
Ben takes my hand and mouths the word “amazing” as he looks carefully around the lobby. “It all looks incredible. Honestly, we’ve always projected the family business image. Neighborhood folks you can trust, you know? This takes everything to a new level.”
“Most importantly, will it show your family that you’re completely in control of things?”
“You know it will.”
I follow him to his office, where his awards are all hung in a vertical row, nearly in the corner. “Awards are meant to be displayed. Many people have them front and center in the lobby, but I thought this was subtler.”
He nods eagerly. “More sophisticated. What’s that saying…money shouts, wealth whispers? This is kind of the success-based version of that.”
“Precisely.” The second his arm extends, I snuggle into his side. “I’ve also spoken to Dakota about presentation and first impressions. We’ve changed your outgoing voicemail message, and she’s been updating your billing notices using a more stylish template.”
“I can’t believe you’re real.” He kisses the top of my head. Then his arm tightens around me, giving me a squeeze. “So, that Craig guy is really just an old friend?”
My chin tips up. “You can’t possibly be jealous of him. He’s basically a cousin. Our mothers are?—”
“No, no.” His lips brush across my forehead. “I’m not actually jealous. I’m more…surprised that I had a sudden flash of jealousy for a split second. How’s that?”
“Very honest. I appreciate that.” The warm glow inside me that I’ve felt from the first moment I met Ben is growing fast. It means a lot that he’s not the type of guy who angers quickly. Rather, he’s balanced. He admits his feelings. He was quick to refer to himself as my boyfriend.
Ugh. I hate that my mind is on high alert, waiting for the other shoe to drop. My mind and my gut often have disagreements, and half the time I feel like I’m playing referee. For the moment, I’d rather focus on the part of me that is excited by this wild heat between us.
“I had this entire evening booked to clean up the conference room.” Ben looks across the hall to the pristine room that is completely ready for his next presentation. “Since apparently that has been done for me by my sweet angel and her army of helpers, how about dinner at my place instead?”
I want to be alone with him, of course, but I also really want to see where Ben lives. Pull back the curtain and get to know him better. “Sure.”
He turns, his arms going around my waist as we press together. I love how he touches me all the time. Innocently at first, then everything always shifts as we try to create as many points of contact as possible.
“You know, I might be nervous about tomorrow. Pretty sure it would help me sleep if I had my gorgeous girl in my arms all night.”
My breath catches.
“I’m sorry, angel.” His thumb brushes along my cheekbone. “I didn’t mean to imply anything more than snuggling. I just thought it would be nice for us to?—”
Instantly my lust barges to the front, elbowing my mind out of the way. “It’s a great idea. I’ll just have to go home for three minutes to pack a bag.”
He grins, leaning down to kiss me. “Heck, I’m a generous man. Make it five.”
I’ve never laughed so easily with a guy. Certainly never planned to sleep with one, especially since we’ve only known each other for a few days.
But everything feels so right. I’m going to keep on listening to this feeling in my gut.
The feeling that tells me we belong together. That this is real, and not just a byproduct of my libido springing to life for the first time.