Duke didn't know what opening a tattoo shop next to a florist would do to his business. Luckily, though, the flower shop didn't seem to have any effect on the number of clients who have visited.
If anything, the owner of the flower shop was the biggest threat to his business.
She was always walking passed the shop, flower arrangements in her arms, a giant smile on her face, and a kind word for anyone who happened to walk passed her.
How could a man get any work done when that was just right next door?
And then the mail service seemed incapable of figuring out who's mail goes where, so at least once a week, she was in his shop being…her.
The bells on the door jingled as they opened, letting Jennifer Mason in, all her flower-scented glory.
She grinned at him, "Afternoon, Mr. Crocker."
Duke glanced up from the sketch he was doing on the counter, and smirked at her, "Ms. Mason. Is that my mail in your hand, once again?"
Jennifer beamed at him, "It is."
She handed over his mail, and he could swear that she purposely let her fingers linger on his, at least if that glint in her eye meant anything.
"But…" she said, he put the mail into a bin under the counter, "I actually have a proposition for you."
"Oh?" Duke replied, straightening and looking her up and down, "And what would that be?"
"Dinner. Tonight." She said simply, "My place. I assume you know the way?"
"I—wait, what?" Duke said.
"That means 'yes'!" came several voices from the back of the shops.
"That doesn't sound like work!" Duke roared towards the back of the shop.
Jennifer giggled in front of him, pulling his attention back to her. He gave her a sly smile, "Tonight, huh? I dunno…that's kind of last minute."
Loud booing came from the back rooms.
"Get back to work!" Duke roared again.
"Just tell her you'll be there!" A particularly boisterous feminine voice yelled back.
"I am, but only if you all get back. To. Work!"
Jennifer beamed at him, "I'll see you then."
Duke turned back to her, "I—right, yes. I'll see you tonight."
The people in the back rooms started cheering loudly.
