Roses For The Nerd

LIAM

The florist looks at me like I have completely lost my mind when I describe what I want.

"All of that? In one bouquet?" She adjusts her glasses, her expression incredulous. "That's going to be extremely expensive."

"I couldn't care less about the cost." I lean against her counter, watching her scribble notes on a pad with shaking hands. "I want a thousand red roses because I need it to be impossible to ignore."

"Is this for a proposal?" she asks slowly, setting down her pen to study my face.

"Something like that." I pull out my black card, sliding it across the counter. "And I need it ready in forty five minutes."

She stares at the card for a long moment before nodding. "Not a problem if we're properly motivated." I tap my card, tipping generously.

"Thanks, Sir." she says, already reaching for her phone to call in reinforcements.

I walk out of the shop and head to where Marcus parked his car. He's leaning against the driver's door, scrolling through his phone with that perpetual smirk on his face.

"Still can't believe you're doing this, man." Marcus finally glances at me, shaking his head. "This girl really has you twisted up." he says, as we get in his Bentley Truck to drive around downtown.

Marcus comments on every attractive woman we pass I tune him out mostly, my mind already at the library. When we circle back, the florist waves us over frantically from inside her shop, the bouquet is even more massive than I imagined.

"Man, if this doesn't get you a date you are up against a zombie," Marcus mutters, helping me load it into the back seat. " Damn we need to hurry up I'm gonna be late for practice."

The roar of Marcus's car echoes through the quiet streets as he pulls up to the university library, the engine's growl turning heads even before he cuts the ignition.

I grab the massive bouquet, wrapped in gold ribbon that catches the afternoon sunlight. The automatic doors slide open as I approach, my boots making distinct sounds against the polished floor, announcing my presence.

"Dude, is that Liam Harrington?" A guy at a nearby table whispers to his friend, not quietly enough.

"Holy sht, what's he doing here?"

I can feel the stares already. Students looking up from their laptops and textbooks, elbowing their neighbors.

I spot Skylar working at the circulation desk, her dark hair pulled back in a messy ponytail that somehow makes her look even more beautiful, as she talks to a woman.

"Yes, Professor Harrison, the reserve materials are kept behind the desk."

She says still completely unaware that I'm approaching, I wait, letting her finish her conversation. The professor finally shuffles away, and Skylar turns to face me. Her expression goes from neutral to absolute horror in the span of a heartbeat.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice is low, with an edge of panic underneath.

I set the enormous bouquet on the counter. "I wanted to see you."

"I'm at work." She doesn't even glance at the flowers. Her eyes stay fixed on mine, completely unimpressed by the gesture. "You need to leave."

"This is a public place." I lean against the counter, giving her my best smile, the one that usually makes girls forget whatever objections they would been forming.

"Liam, learn to take a hint and leave me alone." She says, pushing the flowers back toward me with both hands.

Around us, the whispers are getting louder. "Give me five minutes to explain why I can't stop thinking about you." I say, keeping my voice charming.

"No, because the sick part is you think this is romantic." She says, crossing her arms. "This is obvious harassment, and if you don't leave immediately, I'm calling campus security."

"Damn, is she insane?" someone mutters from a nearby study carrel. "I would literally die for those flowers."

"Right? Does she know who he is?" another girl adds.

The thing about growing up with real money is that you get used to seeing every obstacle as temporary, because when the amount is increased people never really meant no.

"Skylar, is everything okay?" A woman finally speaks up from behind the desk, stepping closer with concern etched on her face.

"It's fine, Maya. He's leaving." Skylar's voice is firm.

I pick up the flowers, holding them out to her one more time. "These are for you, whether you want them or not."

"Then I will throw them in the trash the second you walk out that door." Her eyes don't waver.

There's a steel in her gaze that most people don't have when facing me. It's infuriating and intoxicating at the same time.

I carefully set the flowers back down on the counter then I turn and walk toward the exit. I can feel every eye in the library following my exit.

I stand outside for a moment, watching through the glass doors. Skylar's pointing at the flowers, probably ordering someone to remove them. Her face is flushed, whether from anger or embarrassment I can't tell from this distance. But she looks rattled. Good.

Skylar thinks she can dismiss me with a few harsh words in front of an audience. She doesn't understand yet that I'm not some fumbling college boy who will slink away after being told no.

I'm Liam fcking Pierce. And I always get what I want.