Title: The Right Touch
Rating: K
Category: Romance
Disclaimers: Not mine but I do enjoy borrowing them on occasion.
Author's Note: You know the ship I'm partial to but there are other pairings, too. This was fun to write! Enjoy!
A/N2: Italicized words indicate sign language or words on the computer/Blackberry device.
Summary: What happens if you take the team and plunk them in an alternate universe where you have the same characters but in a different setting? Of course, it's a romance with other ships abounding!
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The Right Touch
Chapter 1
"I've done it again, Jack," lamented Bobby Manning as he plopped himself into a chair in his best friend's office.
"You stood Darcy up again?" Jack questioned as he looked up from his drawing table. "That's what? The second time in two months?"
"Third," groaned the tall Aussie. "She refused to open her door last night and she won't answer her phone."
"Serves you right. What happened this time?" Jack asked. He knew if he didn't listen, the telling of Bobby's latest romantic mishap would linger well into the day.
"Dan Peters phoned just as I ready to leave to meet Darcy for dinner," shared Bobby. "He wanted changes on his latest building. What could I do?"
Jack nodded sympathetically. One of R/M Designs' biggest customers, when Dan Peters wanted to discuss something, you listened. "Couldn't you have excused yourself for a minute to make that call to Darcy?"
Bobby threw him a look.
"All right, all right," said Jack. "I forgot for a moment who you were talking to." He looked at his friend. "Okay, what do you normally do when you get your girlfriend upset?"
"Flowers, candy, tickets to something special," listed Bobby. "An intimate dinner for two ala Bobby Manning and as a very last resort, jewelry."
"There you go," Jack snapped his fingers and pointed to Bobby. "Start with the flowers and work your way down your list. Something should work."
Bobby considered the idea. "Could work. I'll start with the flowers. Hasn't failed me yet."
"Tara told me of this new florist she knows about," said Jack. "Great arrangements." A corner of his mouth pulled up. "I think she was hinting it never hurts a marriage to surprise the wife with occasional flowers or something along those lines."
"What's the name?"
"The Right Touch. In fact, it's close by. Tara says the shop has a very good floral designer."
"Okay. I'll give them a call. Won't hurt." He stood up. "Thanks, mate. I knew I could count on you to give me good advice."
"Next time you have a falling out, Darcy might not take you back," warned Jack.
"Sure she will," declared Bobby confidently. "She knows I'm crazy about her."
"A woman's patience runs only so deep," Jack remarked. He returned to the plans on his table. "Now get out of here so I can get some work done.
His hand on the knob, Bobby turned, "Lunch?" he asked.
"Fine." Jack waved him off. "Go do something productive."
Bobby grinned. "I love you, too," he teased as he walked out the door. The magazine Jack threw hit the closed door behind him.
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The Right Touch
"I'll get it," called out a pretty blonde when the phone rang. A light on her computer/phone hook up flashed as the ringing continued. "Good morning," she answered. She spoke into a microphone. "The Right Touch. How may I help you?"
"I was told you have the best arrangements in town," the words flowed across the screen.
"That's what our customers tell us," she responded."
"Well, in that case, I'd like to order a bouquet of flowers—a very special bouquet of flowers for a very special lady."
"May I ask what's the occasion?"
"It's the I'm-really-sorry-Can-you-forgive-me occasion."
The woman smiled at the honest words. "Saying you're sorry with flowers is an excellent idea. Do you know what kind of flowers you'd like to have?"
"Oh, I don't know. Something pretty?"
"The Right Touch makes every attempt to make every arrangement visually appealing," she answered tongue-in-cheek. "Somehow the customers don't appreciate the ugly ones too much," she said with a smile. Somehow, through the tone of his words, she knew this customer would find the humor in her remark
"Ha, ha. Very funny. I hope your flowers are better than your jokes."
"Much better," she assured him. She was pleased she guessed right
"Then I'll leave it to your discretion in spite of your terrible joke. How's that?"
"We appreciate your confidence. You won't be sorry."
"Oh, but I am sorry. That's why I have to send the flowers."
She giggled. This customer certainly stood out from the rest with his quirky responses.
"I meant, she'll be so impressed she'll be calling you in no time to forgive you," she explained.
"Exactly what I want."
She asked a few more questions. "All right. One very special apology bouquet will be delivered to Ms. Darcy D'Angelo this afternoon. What would you like the card to say?"
There was no response for a moment. "Hello? Are you still there?"
"Yeah. Just thinking. How about 'Darcy, I'm sorry. Will explain when I see you. Forgive me? You know I'm crazy about you. Love, Bobby.'"
"Sounds fine. How do you want to pay for this?"
"Credit card."
A few more questions and the order was completed. "Thank you, Mr. Manning."
"If it works, I'll be sure to call back," he promised. "Who shall I ask for?"
"Sue."
"Thank for your help, Sue."
"Any time. And thank you for your business." She hung up.
Lucy glanced at her co-worker as she brought out an arrangement. "Who was that?" she asked curiously as she placed the flowers on the counter. She reached for the cellophane wrap and ribbon.
"New customer." Sue smiled. "Ordered an apology bouquet for his girlfriend. He must have made her pretty mad because it's going to be an expensive one," she observed.
"New customer? Sounded like you were talking to an old friend," remarked Lucy.
"Yeah, that's how it felt." Sue looked puzzled for a moment. She shrugged slightly. "Oh well, if this bouquet works, Mr. Manning may become a regular customer. That's always good for business."
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