III

Strawberry lipstick state of mind

All she can think while talking to Luke is how comfortable she feels.

It's been a while since she felt like that on a night out but Luke makes it very easy to enjoy their conversation. He's a great listener and makes her feel like his sole focus is on her, on her words on the meaning of what she's saying… Even if she's simply introducing herself and sharing facts about her life. This kind of small talk is something she'd normally dread but the way he shows interest in her words makes her want to talk.

And he also seems to enjoy hearing her because he's very reluctant to share facts about himself, she's the one who actively has to ask him to intervene. It's almost the opposite of a bad date where the guy is so self-centered all he does is talk about himself… But this isn't a date and Julie has to constantly remember that, because she's starting to feel like the lines are getting a little bit blurred.

"I said I wanted to get to know you but so far you haven't shared anything. Do you really want me to go home with only one fact about you? May I remind you that the fact in question is that you're a nineties obsessed guy?" She says to try and make him speak a little bit about himself or maybe even laugh a little and break the intense focusing he's been doing.

He might have shared very little about himself but Julie knows he's intense.

Very much so.

Her comment seems to work just fine because he gives her a bashful smile before speaking. "I mean, I can tell you about myself is just that I would prefer to listen to you speak." Now it's her time to reciprocate the smile he just sent her way because his words really get to her. She's usually the one who does the listening part; listen to her dad talk about his day, listen to her co-workers and her suggestions or complaints, listen to her customers and their requests or ideas… She speaks but sometimes she wonders if there's someone really listening.

And now Luke not only is listening, he's actively doing so and enjoying it at the same time. Someone needs to recognize the efforts she's making to avoid blushing again.

But just like he enjoys listening to her, she enjoys when he speaks and shares about himself. All that glee and joy she witnessed when he was on stage now she gets to see when he speaks about the things he loves, like his friends and his songs; it doesn't surprise her to hear that he's a musician, it was a given but she can't help but to mess with him. His reaction at her jab is incredible and then when he brings the male egos she obviously has to respond but with all the fun she's having she doesn't register that she's sent a compliment his way the only thing that makes her realize what she just did is when he almost chokes on his beer.

That's when she excuses herself to go to the bathroom, not because she really needs to go but because she needs to think without him being there to distract her. Because Luke is proving to be too much and she wants to take a breather and put her thoughts in order.

He's too much but his conversation skills are better now that he's regained his ability to speak.

He's too much but he's witty and masters very well that fine line between talking and listening while also being funny and not taking himself that seriously.

He's too much but he's a good listener and makes her feel comfortable while sharing stuff that's very much first date territory which in any other case she'd hate.

He's too much but in a good way, in a way that makes her happy because she threw away her plans because now she's having fun and enjoying herself.

There's also the fact that he's very attractive and a part of her feels giddy because there's this really cute, sweet and hot guy paying his complete undivided attention to her and also craving more of it. She can't deny that she's interested and very willing to see where this goes, so she splashes cold water in her face and decides that if by the end of the night she still feels like this, she'll ask him out, she won't even hold the nineties love against him.

When she goes back to the table and finds him gorging on some onion rights she can't help but to smile at him, because he's too freaking cute and she knows she's totally screwed. She can call herself lucky if she manages to wait a little before asking him out, so she uses the onion rings to keep her mouth occupied.

The only part of the night where Luke's excellent listening skills get thrown out the window is when she uses the excuse of showing him the store's Instagram page to get closer to him. It's a ruse and she knows it but that doesn't mean he needs to find out that she only wants to test how she feels when she's near him. She talks about how her social media accounts grew and took her to where she is right know while realizing two very important things:

One: she feels comfortable and cozy around him, she actually wants to stay this close for the rest of the night but…

Two: Luke is not paying attention to her, not even a little bit.

Well, that's not completely true because she can feel his eyes on her, staring at her with the same intensity they did a week ago when she was on stage. She feels herself shiver and the goosebumps come back because this guy is not only staring, he's also staring at her from a very close range. Even if she should feel mad that he's not listening to her explanation she can't help it, she feels something that resembles butterflies in her stomach.

Butterflies that go crazy and fly through all of her body when, after confronting him about what he's seeing he answers with: "I'm sorry, I know you only came this close to show me something but I got distracted because… I think you are very beautiful."

How is she supposed to react to that? Maybe with someone else she'd be able to laugh and joke about that being a line or something like that but this time she can't do that, she's pretty sure she can't even breathe because once again: Luke is too much. He's too honest and open about what he thinks about her, in a way he didn't really need to say out loud she thinks she's beautiful because she knows, he's been letting her know with his actions what he feels and thinks. Saying it out loud is just what seals the deal for her, she's going to ask him out…

… But not right now.

Right now she lets herself look at him without shame, being completely moved by his words and then by his action of putting some of her curls behind her ear. Ever since his friends left she feels like they are alone and not surrounded by a bunch of people, the booth felt like a bubble but not in a way that was too intimate, because it allowed her to breathe a little but right now she does feel like everything is too intimate and her lungs are struggling to get some air because when he speaks his words leave her breathless, the only thing that remained inside of her are the butterflies that seem to have been incentivized by his words and now fly like crazy.

Maybe she should kiss him right now. Maybe if she could she would do that exactly but she can't, she can barely manage to send a smile his way and even proposing he walks her home seems like a huge task. Even her laugh comes a bit breathy but he doesn't seem to catch that, something for which she's thankful. She only manages to catch her breath once they leave the place and she can only wonder what the hell is this guy doing to her.

Her strategy to keep her breath (and sanity) is to focus on a safe topic so obviously she speaks about her store, repeating the explanation she already gave him. But somehow he manages to wiggle a compliment in the middle of her explanation, so she gives up on looking for something safe to talk about, just like she gave up on her silly plan. Now she simply lets the chips fall where they may, he clearly has a talent for making her feel soft and giddy so she doesn't stress about losing her breath again because she knows it's going to happen no matter what.

Especially because she ends up setting herself to lose her breath. When he suggests going back next morning to see her store she kind of has to contain herself from acting like a schoolgirl whose crush just asked out, not only because she's a 23 year old woman who was already planning on asking him herself but also because he says it so simply that the only tell that reveals that he's nervous is that for the first time of the night he avoids her eye contact. He's nervous and she finds that incredibly endearing.

He earned himself a date but they both earned themselves a kiss and because he beat her up by asking she decides to take the initiative and suggest they kiss, even if she knows that a kiss would probably take her breath away and drive the butterflies crazy. She doesn't care, she really wants to kiss him.

The way his hand caressed her cheek briefly before kissing her completely melts her, the way he seems so surprised by her suggestion but also excited and eager to kiss her is something she finds ridiculously sweet. So sweet it could completely compete with the kiss they share which turns out to be completely unexpected.

She's only known Luke for a couple of hours but everything about him screams excitement, joy, not being able to keep still and even the moments where he's soft and seems vulnerable he's still someone who doesn't do half measures, he seems an all or nothing kind of guy. He has shown himself to be soft and vulnerable but he does that by gawking at her and complimenting her like she was the most amazing person he's ever met. Above all, he established himself as an intense person

So yeah, Luke is honest but also has no chill, that's why she expected the kiss to be something out of a telenovela, she even expected fireworks to come out of nowhere. But nothing like that happens, instead she stumbles onto one of the sweetest kisses she's ever received which is a surprise but one she happily welcomes because it's more than their lips fitting together...

It's about how such a simple gesture shook her to her core.

It's about how much she enjoys his calloused hand on her cheek.

It's about how her hands roam freely through his hair.

It's about how she craves more but is happy to wait.

It's about how after they break the kiss she cannot contain her smile.

It's about how after the kiss he seems to be unable to let go.

It's about how she can't wait for the morning to come so that she can see him again.

When morning rolls around she hasn't had that many hours of sleep and she kind of hates herself because of it. She also kind of doesn't because she doesn't regret spending part of her night assembling a bouquet of daisies and eucalyptus for Luke. She knows that's not what's customary but she's happy and she did it while happily thinking about what kind of face he'd make when she surprises him with it.

She feels like a teen waiting for her first date and daydreaming about him the whole time but she can't help it, Luke is something else. The butterflies she experienced yesterday have not calmed down and she takes them as proof of Luke being worthy. She doesn't help the butterflies or herself calm down by going over their conversation to remember their quick back and forth or the shy glances they share are just more proof of her teen like behavior but she doesn't give an f.

She's going to let herself savor the moment and enjoy herself even if she kind of does need more hours of sleep. She tells herself it'll be worthy if this first date is even half as good as the hours they spent together yesterday.

She doesn't really know if he's going to be punctual so she's behind the counter writing her to do list for the next week when the atmosphere suddenly changes and it becomes charged. She doesn't even need to look up from her planner to know what's caused the change from a lazy Saturday morning to something else entirely because she can feel the weight of his eyes on her:

Luke's there.

She raises her head and finds him in the middle of the alley. He looks better under the sunlight, a little bit younger but also much more happy although that's probably because of other things and not a direct result of the sunny morning. She can't help but smile at him, simply enjoying the view of him in her store.

"Good morning and welcome to 'Coming up Roses'. Are you ready for your tour?" She asks, her voice seemingly forgetting she barely slept because she sounds very happy which seems to be contagious.

"It's a very good morning indeed Jules." He says, looking at her eyes as she leaves the counter and approaches him. She kisses his cheek, making him smile briefly, before he speaks again. "I'm so happy to be here!" They're so close he doesn't need to raise his voice so it comes out like a whisper, which only adds to the atmosphere to continue to mutate. Now it feels like yesterday, when they were in the booth and she felt like they were the only two people in the world.

"I hope you enjoy your private guided visit. Here at the store we pride ourselves in providing only the best of the services so if you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to voice them." She jokes trying to mimic a guide at a museum and it works because she gets to hear his sweet laugh.

He raises his hand as if he were a kindergartner, which is ironic because with those arms… well, she's not going to finish that thought. As she guides him back to the entrance he asks his first question, in the form of a compliment: "Can I tell my guide that I think she's very pretty?"

She can't help but laugh before shaking her head, deciding that's enough answer for him. She has a feeling that if she encourages him they'll never even start to look around the store. "So everything is organized in sections because some flowers need the same types of care and by putting them together we can do a better job. But a fun fact is that most of our best sellers are scattered around the store, that way even if the client knows what they are looking for they still have to wander around the store and that tends to lead to them spending more money, usually because they add to their order."

She explains as they walk, for the first time being completely free to watch him without his eyes finding her, because instead of looking at her while she speaks he seems to be completely captured by the store as if now, instead of being mesmerized by her he's mesmerized by her business. She wonders if this is the first time he's even been to a flower shop; the way he's seeing everything seems to be enough of an answer.

"Clever girl I see." He says in response to her fun fact, making her smile proudly. "More than a pretty face Jules, I like that." He sends a wink her way which it's cute if not for the fact that he doesn't see where he's going so she has to grab him by the arm to stop him from stumbling upon some sunflowers. "Oh shit. I'm sorry, I should have known this would've been a bull in a china store kind of situation." He seems embarrassed, hand on the back of his neck and eyes avoiding hers but she doesn't mind, worst things have happened at the store anyways.

Maybe one day she'll share those with him.

"It's fine Luke, nothing happened. I'll just keep my hand here to guide you." She says, patting her bicep to emphasize her point (she actually does that because she wants to touch him, but who can blame her?). Luke bites his lip and nods so she resumes the tour.

As she continues to show him around, his eyes leave her and go back to focusing on the store which allows her to solely focus on him. Now that the morning light bathes them she has a new appreciation for his physical attributes and yes she's once again trying very hard not to objectify him but he's clearly a snack and there's no denying it.

She can't help but to make fun of herself because she knows that if this was another person she would have simply dismissed him with a thought that probably would have gone like "average white dude with a lot of love for the gym". The main reason why she doesn't think like that is because Luke has proven himself to be the actual opposite of a frat dude, instead he's sweet, genuine, is a great listener and is also ridiculously charming.

He's all that wrapped in a very hot package.

It's unfair, really. Who gave him the right to not only look like that but also be cute and sweet? He's kept his mouth mostly shut as she explains, clearly trying to pay attention to every single part of the store and there's something about what she sees in him that makes her go all gooey in her insides because he looks like a kid on Christmas, all excitement and joy. She knows it's very likely this is his first time in a flower shop but suddenly she starts wondering if this is his first time looking at flowers because what she sees in his face is very similar to the what made her notice him, as if he couldn't contain his awe and amazement at what he's seeing.

She's so focused on him she gives the rest of the tour almost on autopilot, only snapping out of her reverie when they are back on the counter and there's just one bit for her to show him before they have breakfast. "The only thing left for me to show you now is this." She announces as she reaches to grab his bouquet.

Suddenly, the time she invested assembling the flowers is worth it because nothing compares to the way his face immediately lights up when he sees the arrangement. She has to bite her lip to keep her smile from competing with his because it looks like his cheeks might hurt from how wide he is smiling. "You didn't have to…" He says, voice shy and low. She shrugs in response, because she really wanted to, seeing his face made it all worth it. "Thank you. No one has ever given me flowers before but even if someone had it still wouldn't be able to compare." And then he proceeds to hug the flowers against his chest and bury his face in the daisies.

Julie immediately wishes she was the flowers so that she could be wrapped around his body. If he wanted to bury his face in the crook of her neck it would be fine as well…

She lets herself think all that because if she doesn't distract herself she will end up taking a picture of the moment and using the store's many social media platforms as an excuse when all she wants is to capture the way a simple gesture revived all the butterflies and made her almost want to melt.

Luke might be completely dangerous for her sanity, but she doesn't mind one little bit. She actually kind of likes it.

She's halfway through her pancakes (and Luke is barely starting with whatever the hell he's eating) when she realizes she wants to share with him the main reason why she was at Eats & Beats. She decides she should let him know not only because she's completely selfless but simply because she wants to see what his reaction is to the news; if past experiences apply she knows she's in for a treat.

"So, you never asked why I approached you last night." She comments, before taking a sip of her apple juice. He's still eating something and clearly trying to have some manners which she finds very amusing.

"Well Julie I assumed you saw me on stage and became our biggest fan so you approached us because you wanted to meet your new favorite band." He jokes, laughing along with her at his own words. She would like to point out that he has chocolate in his upper lip but that would ruin the moment, she can do that later.

(She can kiss that away later)

"Yes, you are partially right." She comments almost too casually as if it's not a big deal but he shuts up immediately and she can clearly notice how his Adam's apple bobbles at the sound of her words. "You know I liked the performance despite the nineties sound. I enjoyed seeing you up there and that's what made me decide I wanted to approach you but I was already planning on doing that because I already knew you." He remains silent and it's funny how clear his confusion and surprise is to her words. She can't help but to smile a little because seeing him caught off base makes her feel good, almost as if it were payback for how many times he's made her feel the same.

"You knew us?" He seems to be doing a monumental effort to get the words out so she decides to put him out of his misery and set the record straight, mostly because she cannot deal with the fact that he looks like a confused puppy which should be impossible given that he looks straight out of a Thor movie set.

"I'm exaggerating a little bit. The thing is I decided to go back to the place because when I was on stage there was someone in the crowd looking at me with such intensity I felt it despite the fact that there were a lot of people watching me perform. And almost at the end of the song I found this guy at the bar and he had this gorgeous green eyes and he was looking at me as if I was incredible. So I decided to wait a week and go back to see if I could find him and demand some explanations. But then I saw that you were a real musician and decided to simply approach and see how things developed."

When she finishes the explanation he blushes but remains otherwise silent and for a couple of seconds they just look at each other, not eating, not blinking and barely breathing. Simply looking at each other. But then, all of the sudden a smile blooms in his face. That's why she shared the information with him, because he wanted to see a smile on his face.

"Well Julie, I already told you what I thought of your performance but now that you tell me this I have to let you know you are sorely mistaken about one very important thing and you must allow me to humbly correct you." With a hand on his chest and as serious as he can get while also exaggerating his posture he finally speaks, making her swallow a laugh because he's so sweet she doesn't even need syrup for her pancakes, he can easily provide the sugar. She nods his way, letting him know he can continue speaking. "I wasn't looking at you as if you were incredible. I was looking at you that way because you are beyond incredible and as I walked into the bar and heard you I didn't realize I have never heard someone sing like angels but also look like one. I was convinced you were one… Oh, and Julie?"

She can't speak, she can't even breathe correctly. Is this how he felt when she sang? Did it feel like someone dosed him in gasoline and lit a match to start a fire? But instead of being consumed by the flames all of her insides felt warm and her brain didn't even have time to panic because the heart whispered to him, "It's okay, the flames will not consume us but we need this warmth it's the fire that will fuel us to build something, hopefully something that's lasting." Those were not average first date thoughts but Luke's words were not average either so it seems fitting that she's feeling and thinking this way.

She likes the idea of building something that's lasting with him by her side.

"Yeah?" Her voice comes out shaky and after a couple of beats have passed since he spoke but he doesn't even make a joke or laughs at the fact that she's awestruck at what she just heard. He just let her take a minute to savor the words.

"I'm not completely convinced you are not an angel or something like that. Take courage dear eyes, we have never seen sights as captivating as this woman. Take courage ears, we might have never listened to a voice more melodious as this one." He puts his hand on hers and looks at her in the eyes. "Take courage Luke, you will never meet someone as beautiful, funny and kind as Julie."

She's pretty sure she loses her breath after he finishes his thoughts. Julie doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, she doesn't want to be the girl who loses her shit because a guy just called her pretty but Luke did more than that and that's what makes the whole thing different for her. He didn't simply call her pretty and complimented her voice, he went above and beyond and gave her a gift no one has ever given her: praise that's directed at her and at her only. He's not complimenting her work, he's focused completely on her and her qualities as a person. Even if he's obviously interested in her voice he's made it clear that's what made him notice her, it's not what's kept him interested.

He's interested in her and her only.

Julie doesn't remember the last time someone complimented her instead of her flowers. She doesn't remember the last time she felt like this, all warm inside and excited about the prospect of dating someone. Well, not someone because she's only interested in Luke.

She feels bad about not being able to properly answer to his words but he doesn't seem bothered and simply resumes his eating, once again gorging down what he ordered. She resumes her eating as well but finds a way to repay him, not only literally by paying the bill, but also by taking courage herself.

"Hey." Once they are out on the street she steps closer to him, she wants that atmosphere where she feels like is just the two of them alone in all of Downtown LA. "I know you only came for a tour and some food but would you like to spend the rest of the day with me?" She asks, extending her hand to clean that little spot of chocolate on his upper lip he couldn't seem to clean.

He once again looks at her like she just pronounced the best words of the English language.

"What about your store?" He asks and once again, she thinks he's so sweet about worrying about something she's already taken care of.

"Nick can handle the shop and tía Victoria promised to drop by later. Do you wanna get rid of me Luke? Because I thought we might repeat last night's ending." She shrugs, as if it's not a big deal and Luke nods at her words before answering.

"Then, I would love nothing more to spend the rest of the day with you Julie. Nothing would make me happier than repeating last night's ending." His smile would compete with the brightness of the Sun. He offers his arm to her and as she takes it she voices her agreement with his answer.

"That's good to know, because I want to make you happy."

But she's not telling the whole truth, because she would actually like to make them both happy.