16

The florist was quiet when Jake entered. The scent hit him first. His wolf sense of smell meant he could pick out each indiviudal note. Fresh roses, lilies, eucalyptus.

An older woman appeared from the back room carrying a watering can.

"Good evening."

"Evening."

"What can I help you with?"

Jake looked around the shop.

"I need a bouquet."

"Any occasion?"

He smiled faintly.

"I honestly don't know yet."

She laughed.

"Those are my favourite kind."

Jake wandered between the displays. Every arrangement looked beautiful yet none felt quite right. Then an idea occurred to him.

"Could you make something unusual?"

"I can try."

"I'd like eight different flowers."

She tilted her head.

"Any reason?"

He hesitated.

"It's been... eight days."

"Since?"

"I met someone."

Understanding softened her expression.

"And she likes flowers?"

"I've no idea."

"Then we'll make sure she does."

For the next several minutes they chose each stem together. White roses, pink tulips, lavender, freesias, white lisianthus, peach carnations, chamomile and a single sunflower at the centre.

"It needs one more thing," Jake said.

"What?"

He reached into his wallet and removed a business card. Turning it over, he borrowed her pen. His handwriting was neat.

I hope this doesn't seem strange.

I realised I never properly introduced myself.

Jake.

Beneath his name he added his mobile number. Then, after several seconds of hesitation, one final sentence.

No pressure. I just hoped I'd see you again.

The florist smiled as she tucked the card between the flowers.

"I think she'll call."

Jake laughed.

"I admire your confidence."

"It's not confidence."

She nodded towards the bouquet.

"It's experience."

Back at the pub, Mark accepted the flowers with an appreciative whistle.

"You're making the rest of us look bad."

"I'm really not."

"What do I tell her?"

Jake thought for a moment.

"Just that someone asked you to give them to her."

"You don't want to watch?"

Jake hesitated. Every instinct screamed yes. Instead, he shook his head.

"If she feels uncomfortable, I'd rather she never knew I was here."

Mark studied him for a second before nodding.

"I can respect that."

Jake picked up his jacket. He walked towards the door before stopping beside the window. From there he could see Amelia without being seen himself. Mark approached her table carrying the bouquet.

Amelia looked up in confusion. Her eyes widened. She actually glanced over her shoulder to check he hadn't mistaken the recipient. Mark laughed and pointed directly at her. Slowly, almost cautiously, she accepted the flowers. Jake saw surprise melt into disbelief and then something warmer. Her fingers found the small card tucked between the stems.

She read it once. Then again. A smile spread across her face so slowly it stole the breath from his lungs. It wasn't a polite smile or the nervous smile she had worn a week earlier. It reached her eyes. She looked around the pub, searching. Jake stepped back instinctively into the shadow beside the doorway. After a few moments she stopped looking.

Instead, she lowered her head and laughed quietly to herself before gently touching the sunflower with her fingertips. She picked up her phone. Jake's own phone vibrated before she had even finished typing.

He stared at the unfamiliar number. His heart hammered absurdly hard as he opened the message.

Unknown:

I think these might be the most beautiful flowers I've ever received.

Thank you.

There was another pause.

Then another message arrived.

Unknown:

Also... I'm glad you hoped you'd see me again.

Because I was rather hoping I'd see you too.

Jake smiled and his wolf practically purred.

He typed carefully.

Jake:

I didn't want to interrupt your evening.

Amelia:

You haven't.

A moment later...

Amelia:

Are you here?

Jake looked through the window. She was already glancing around the room again. He considered lying.

Instead, he smiled.

Jake:

I was.

I wanted to make sure you received the flowers.

Her reply came almost instantly.

Amelia:

So you've left already?

Jake:

I thought you might prefer the choice of whether to see me.

Several long seconds passed. He wondered if he had made a mistake. Then his phone buzzed one final time.

Amelia:

Then I'm choosing.

Please come back.

Jake looked up.

Inside the pub, Amelia was still holding the bouquet against her chest, her eyes fixed hopefully on the entrance. Without even realising he had started moving, Jake turned towards the door. For the second Friday in a row, fate appeared determined to bring them back to the same table.