2

It's been two weeks since I last saw Arturo. I did really wish to hire him, but every time I would call him I would chicken out and drop the call. I sighed as I hold the phone in my hand. I look over to my backyard and it managed to be in worse condition than it did last time. The plant he repotted was thriving among the almost dead plants around it.

If my mother was still alive, I would be buried six feet underground with how I've managed to not take care of her garden. I sighed and decided to just go for it before my mother calls back out from her grave. I dialed his number and put the phone up to my ear. I waited on the phone, anxiously tapping my foot on the floor until Arturo answered.

"Hello, this is Arturo. May I ask who's calling?" Arturo finally answers.

I paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. "Hello?" Arturo says through the phone.

"Oh, sorry. This is Avery." I replied.

"Oh, hey. You're the one with the bike right?" He asked.

"Yes. That was me. I, uhm. How much would it cost for you to do my whole backyard? I need some plants replaced as well." I said.

"Well, if it's just tidying up and landscaping, I usually charge one hundred fifty dollars  per hour and if you want to replace some plants, that would be an extra charge." He replied.

"Oh. That's a lot." I said with an awkward chuckle. 

It was a lot more expensive than I thought. I only earn eighteen dollars per hour in the bakery I currently work at. On top of that, I have to pay the house mortgage alone as well as the bills.

"I can give you a fifty percent discount, and you can pay me any time you can." He said.

"Thanks, that's generous, but it doesn't feel right to not pay you your regular price," I said.

"Honestly, this is more about the plants. They've been calling for my help ever since I stepped on your yard and I couldn't get them off my mind since." He said, making me chuckle.

"Oh, wow. I'm not offended at all. I guess I have no choice but to accept your offer then." I said.

"Okay then. When do you want me to start?" He asked.

"Tomorrow would be good," I replied.

"Okay. I'll be there at around nine in the morning. Is that okay?" He asked.

"Yes. That would be fine. I'll be at work the whole morning so I'll just leave the backyard open. If you're fine with that." I said.

"Sure, that's fine. See you tomorrow then." He said.

"See you," I said before ending the call.

I let out a sigh of relief as soon as the conversation was over. At least I'll get to see him again.

...

It's finally the next day and I'm about to go to work. I've already left the gate to the backyard unlocked. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Arturo that he can come into the backyard anytime and I'll be at the bakery.

I put my phone back in my pocket before getting on my bike. The bakery wasn't far from here. About five miles away. I got on my bike and rode my way to the bakery. As soon as I reached the bakery, I chained my bike to the racks before entering the backdoor.

"Hi, Elisse. Hi, Andrew." I greeted the bakery owner and another worker.

It's only the three of us working in the small bakery. "Hey, Avery. I've already made the dough for the loaves. You just need to put them in the oven. The muffins as well." Elisse told me.

"You came in here early?" I asked as I place the bread and muffin tins in the oven.

"Yes. I'm leaving around lunchtime so it's just you and Andrew around." She said as she whips up another batch of dough.

"Okay, Andrew and I can handle the rest of the day. Right, Andrew?" I asked, pointing my head towards Andrew.

"Yeah, sure." He said as he takes the tray of already baked goods to the front display.

The rest of the work day went by easily. There weren't a lot of customers that came in so we didn't really need to bake as much bread and pastries as we usually do. It was already afternoon and we were closing for the day.

"There's a bunch of danish pastries and croissants that are left over in the front. You want to take them home?" Andrew asked me as I clean up in the kitchen.

"Sure," I replied and Andrew went back to the front.

As I put back the last of the pans away, Andrew handed me the box of pastries. "Thanks. I'll get going now. You can close the bakery." I said to him as I walk to the back door.

Andrew just gave me a mock salute as I exit the bakery. I carefully placed the box of pastries in the front basket before taking off the chains and getting on the bike. The ride home seemed faster than usual. It's probably the excitement of seeing Arturo again.

I got off the bike quickly and chained it to my porch fence as soon as I got home. I took the box of pastries and went straight to the backyard. I stop in my tracks as soon as I saw the backyard. It was already ten times better than its previous state. All the weeds and dead plants are gone, and the backyard was almost bare, but it looked better already.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to finish this much in one day," I said, making Arturo snap his head towards me.

"You're here. I hope you're satisfied with the work I've done so far. I just need to clean up a few more spots and then we can start with replanting." He said as he wipes the sweat off of his forehead.

"I honestly thought it would take a few days to even reach this state. Anyway, I brought you some pastries from the bakery. They were leftovers and will be thrown anyway so, here you go." I said as I hand him the box of pastries, making our hands touch a little.

I couldn't help but stare at his muscles as his shirt cling to his sweaty chest. My eyes trail down to a drop of sweat as it rolls down from his neck, down to his chest. I swallowed dryly and quickly averted my gaze as soon as I realized that I was staring.

"Thanks. We can discuss the payment for all of this after I'm done." He replied.

"Y-yeah. Sure. Uhm, do you want a drink? Water or Iced tea?" I said as I rub the back of my head.

"Sure, cold water would be nice. I'm done for the day anyway so I'll just clean up." He said and I nod my head.

I entered the back door and went straight to the kitchen to grab a pitcher. I filled the pitcher with water before grabbing an ice tray from the freezer. I put the ice in the pitcher and grabbed a couple of glasses before taking them back outside. I placed the pitcher and glasses on the garden table when a shadow blocked the sun from me.

I looked over and saw Arturo standing beside me, completely shirtless. My heart almost jumped out of my chest as I stare over his body. Every inch of his skin was covered in tattoos. I could almost imagine myself wrapped in those arms-

"Like what you see?" Arturo asked, a smirk forming on his face.

I quickly averted my gaze as my face turned beet red. "Uhm, uh, here's the water," I said as I pick up the pitcher to fill the glass.

In a desperate attempt to hide my embarrassment, I spilled the water on the table. I put down the pitcher and hastily tried to wipe off the water, causing me to knock off the glass and it fall to the floor. I crouched down to pick up the pieces and cut myself on the glass, making me hiss in pain.

"Are you okay?" Arturo asked as he crouched down beside me.

"Y-yeah. It's just a small cut." I said before looking down to see the blood dripping down on my finger.

Have I told anyone I'm afraid of blood? No? Well, now you know. Was my last thought before passing out.