Chapter 15
Iris
Basil definitely gets some looks from people on the subway, but thankfully, Hollybrook is a city with enough eccentric people that it doesn’t go any further than sideways glances or second takes.
Not that I can blame any of them. The horns protruding from his head, coupled with the grey skin, truly are a sight to behold.
I managed to have a set of sunglasses that fit him, so we didn’t have to worry about his glowing red eyes attracting more attention to him.
“A speeding tube under the street. Marvelous,” he says, as we walk up the stairs to the street level. “And so fast. Though it could be much faster if there were fewer stops.”
I laugh. He does have a point. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Now remember, you are a method actor who is shadowing me at the store because you are in a play about a demon who is also a florist, and you wanted to see what it was really like.
” He audibly growls when I mention demons.
They apparently have had some history over the years, with the demon’s former leader being shady as fuck.
Though Basil admits that the current one is doing much better.
I stop us around the corner from Petal Pushers, placing my hand on his chest, and gaze up at him. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For offering to spend what could be our last few hours together at my work.”
Basil slides a finger up my neck, stopping at my chin, holding my face toward his. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
I kiss his lips softly, wishing that we could have stayed at home again. Unfortunately, weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations don’t, and won’t, wait for me to figure out how to have a relationship with the Boogeyman. So work I must.
The bell chimes over the store door as we enter. Vera looks up from the desk, smiling when she sees me. Her smile quickly falters when she spots Basil behind me. The color drains from her face as her jaw drops and her eyes bug out.
“Iris. There’s…” Her words trail off as she points behind me.
I run over to her, taking hold of her hand.
“I know. It’s okay.” My hands cup her face, making sure she looks at me.
“His name is Basil. He’s okay. He’s a theater student, a bit of a method actor,” I say, trying to make it sound humorous.
“This—” I wave my hand in his general direction, “is all makeup.”
Vera pauses, looks back over at him, her eyes narrowing as she takes him in. A part of me tenses up, partly out of anticipation, hoping she’ll believe me, and partly because she’s currently eyeballing my Boogeyman. When her eyes meet mine again, I see her visibly relax.
“Well, whoever your makeup artist is, they need a raise. Holy shit, you scared me half to death. I thought Iris was about to be attacked.” Vera laughs playfully as she speaks, walking over to him.
She looks up at him, closely examining his appearance.
Basil’s gaze flicks to mine, and I nod. He leans down, letting her get a closer look at him.
Vera pokes at his face and horns, completely awestruck. “Seriously, this is fantastic work.”
“Thank you,” he says, his voice deep and commanding attention. I could frankly listen to him speak for hours and never tire.
Vera giggles flirtatiously at him, as she fans herself before I link my arm in hers and pull her away to the desk, fighting the rising jealousy in my chest. “Alright, what did I miss yesterday?”
She fills me in on new orders and the prep for the events we are already booked for. But I don’t miss the looks she keeps giving Basil as he walks around the shop, picking up different trinkets or flowers. When he spots a decorative pot filled with daffodils and tulips, his face lights up.
“He’s cute,” Vera says. “Even with all that makeup on. I can tell.”
“I haven’t noticed.” I lie. I’ve noticed. I’ve noticed a lot. “Anyway, Basil is part of a play and is playing a florist, so he wanted to see what our day-to-day looks like. Basil, I’m going to start you with some simple stem trimming. If you could come to the back, I’ll help you get going.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Oooh. I like that.
I squeeze my thighs together as we walk to the back, hoping it will ease the throbbing. “I could help with that, you know,” he says, breathing onto my neck.
“I think you’ve helped enough,” I retort, trying to ignore the goosebumps his breath causes. “Besides, we can’t do anything with Vera here.”
“I’ll be quiet if you are,” he teases.
I’ve never had sex at the shop. Hell, I’d never even consider it. Work is, well, work. Not a place to get busy. But this Boogeyman… he’s making me seriously contemplate it.
I watch the stupid smirk on his face as he raises a questioning eyebrow, then shake my head. “No. Work only.”
I take him to the buckets of new arrivals on the counter and show him how to trim and prep each flower properly. After a few practice attempts, he has it down pat and is on his way. Begrudgingly, I leave him to continue as I head back out front.
Vera and I spend the day putting together arrangements and taking turns managing customers as they come in.
Basil joins us out front in the afternoon and helps build the premade bouquets and arrangements.
He’s surprisingly adept and has a great eye for floral arrangement, but his eyes keep going back to the daffodil display from the morning.
“Would you like to take that display home?” I ask.
“Oh, no. I couldn’t.”
“I have seen how much you like it. You should have it. To remember us by.”
His eyes water, but no tears escape, and he nods. “Okay. I’d like that. Thank you.”
I smile back at him, knowing that I will never forget this time we’ve spent together.