Only one and a half months to the wedding was cutting it short but Thorne had decided that they would start with the wedding planning easily enough. Cress had come up with a great concept but it was an aesthetic Thorne was totally unaccustomed to. He needed a bit more time to figure out how to work with Cress's ideas.
This would also help him get more of a feel how Cress worked.
Thorne had actually been impressed by her idea yesterday. It wasn't something that would fly with many of his clients but for Cinder and Kai? It was perfect. And personal. And everything that Cress claimed made her weddings stand out. For every other client it would be too time-consuming to get that kind of in-depth personal information that Cress had required for her idea to work but he could admit that he appreciated her work much more now. It was creative and out-of-the-box ... though now more than ever, he assumed she was severely underpaid for her time and effort.
They had agreed to start at a flower shop for the decoration. At Regolith Décor, they had to work with fake flowers, but there was no question that they would get real flowers for the wedding. This flower shop was a small business, a secret tip he got from Scarlet. Her friend's family owned it and though there were many event planners who conferred with high-class florists, Thorne got everything he needed from the Monfort family business. Their shop was a bit small but they could get every flower the client demanded in top-notch quality, and had an eye for amazing flower arrangements.
It also helped that their youngest daughter was a looker.
Thorne was sure that Cress would appreciate the family business. She was already waiting in front of the store when he arrived, practically beaming as she pointed to the shop.
"Thorne, this shop is wonderful! I can't believe that's where we'll pick the flowers from."
He grinned. He might not know Cress for very long but it was no surprise that she seemed to love the quaint shop with French flair. "Careful, Cress. You might come to like the way I do business."
She laughed good-heartedly. "We'll see about that." She took his offered arm as they entered the store together, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the display and pointing to various flower pots.
It wasn't a bad way to start of this new partnership, Thorne found.
"... and that's what we need. The perfect flowers to shine in an arrangement that is mainly going to consist of teal, a sea-foam shade of green and sunset orange. Which is why we came to you, mademoiselle," Thorne added with an exaggerated French accent.
"That doesn't sound like your usual aesthetic, how come? Tired of all the glitz and glamour?"
"Hardly." He pointed to Cress. "A stroke of genius from this lovely lady here."
Émilie Monfort, a gorgeous second-generation French girl with honey-blonde curls and pouty lips, smiled over at Cress as she handed both of them a glass of homemade lemonade. She certainly knew how to make a guy happy. In some regards at least, he thought as he took a sip of the refreshing beverage. In others she wasn't as accommodating, despite his heavy flirting.
"Oh, that's exciting. I heard a few things about you from Scarlet and it sounds amazing. Very fresh and exciting. No wonder you already got your own business when you're what, 24? I'm sure you would be a hit here in L.A. too," she told Cress excitedly.
Cress blushed at the compliment. "I really just went with something Cinder told me. You see, she has this beautiful dress that—"
"Wait, wait, wait." Thorne signed a time-out. "How do you know anything about Cress's business?"
Émilie gave him a look. "I listen to people when they talk. You might want to try that sometime."
"To you? Always." He winked at her. "And to think that you were so timid the first time I came here. Not speaking a word without stuttering, all blushing prettily." He gave her his best smile, as he leaned forward. "You knew how to stroke a guy's ego."
She clucked her tongue. "You were my first client. That was a big deal for me then. Don't worry you're just one of many now."
"Ouch. That hurts. And I thought we were destined to be crazy in love." He sighed dramatically. "Wouldn't we be a match made in heaven?" When she didn't answer, he shrugged. "Just business then. So, any ideas what kind of flowers we're looking for?"
Émilie thought about it. "There is a variety of flowers that come in the shades you mentioned. Orange and teal, at least. If I may, I would suggest focusing on these two colors. The green would be added via the stems and leaves anyway."
When Cress agreed, Thorne was relieved. Two bright colors he could work with, rather than three. That could look gaudy very quickly.
Scanning the room, Émilie started to think out loud. "Hydrangea is an option. Gerbera, marigold ... I know a type of coridalys which can look teal. We can always artificially color specific types of flowers too." Lost in her own world, Émilie started to name more and more flowers Thorne had never heard of. A look at Cress told him that she was lost too.
"Um, Émilie?"
She blinked. "Sorry, I got carried away. You should take a look around and see what we have in the store, but may I suggest going with more tropical flowers? It's going to be August and the colors you picked are so vibrant, I would go for tropical flowers."
"Sounds wonderful. I would like to see it." Cress was obviously delighted by the idea.
Fixing her apron, Émilie was ready for the task at hand. "Great. I have to look into the greenhouse because we don't display them in the shop. If needed, I will also get a few images of flowers we don't have here now but we can surely get in time for the wedding. Would you like me to do a quick bouquet for the bride? You can send her pics and she can come here when's got the time and discuss details."
That wasn't what he had in mind. "I don't think Cinder wants to carry a bouquet with her at all times. She would probably forget it somewhere and worry about it endlessly. The less she has to worry, the better."
"Oh, but she wants a bouquet," Cress chimed in.
Raising an eyebrow, Thorne was surprised by what Cress said. Since when were she and Cinder best buddies? This was his job. "How would you know?"
"We wrote a bit back and forth yesterday and initially, she said the same thing you did. But I told her, she could only carry the bouquet walking down the aisle and I would keep an eye on it throughout the day. But this way, she would have something to hold onto while she walked down the aisle." Cress shrugged. "It seemed a good idea because I noticed Cinder fidgets a lot. A bouquet will keep her hands occupied."
Thorne looked at Émilie, impressed. "See. Another stroke of genius. Might as well retire right now."
Émilie leaned over to Cress conspiratorially. "That must be the sweetest thing I ever heard come out of his mouth."
"Excuse me? I'm nothing but sweet words! To you especially," Thorne added with a pointed look.
Émilie looked unimpressed. "I mean sweet words with actually sweet intentions. Different thing."
"Details." He turned to Cress. "Shall we?"
Together they browsed the shop which was much bigger than one would assume by looking in from the outside. It had been an old apartment and rather than tear down the walls, the Monfort family had kept them intact. Customers could walk from room to room, each designed a bit differently. Cress was delighted when she found out about the unique layout. She went on to inspect a few flowers and looked them up on her tablet while Thorne made a few notes too.
When they were a bit out of earshot, Cress turned to him. "You know when you told me you were a ladies man, I assumed every women would fall at your feet."
"And you're impressed?" he said with a cocky grin.
"Not ... exactly." She peeked around the corner to see if anyone could hear her. "I mean Émilie didn't seem ... I don't know, but ... I know you're not actually romantic but ..." She wrung her hands as she searched for the right words before she tried again. "I thought you would at least appear to be romantic around the women you're interested in."
"Not sure what you mean. I'm very good at romance and I have great instincts when it comes to amore. Or to keep it French, l'armour." Remembering all the women he had successfully "romanced", he couldn't help the proud grin on his fans. "I doubt you would find anyone complaining about my sense of romance."
"I guess not." She bit her lip, deep in thought. "I just thought you would do more than deliver some smooth lines."
"That's flirting, Cress. Don't tell me no one's ever flirted with you?"
A pretty blush crept over her cheeks which pleased him immensely. "I just mean, I thought you would flirt differently. Make it about the woman and not so much about you. But it's more like you put on a show. Sure, you know how to talk with women and how to compliment them, you know the basic steps—"
He objected. "Basic? Nothing I do is basic."
She made an annoyed sound. "Fine. You're an expert flirter. Better?"
He harrumphed but was pleased. "Better."
"But you aren't feeling it. You just do it because you get something out of it but not because of some heartfelt, genuine moment of love."
Love. So that was what it was about. "I'm not into love, Cress. Or a long-term relationship. And really, what difference does it make? I get what I want, just like the women I'm with. We both know what we want to get out of it and get it. If no one complains, why is that a problem?"
"I'm just wondering. Sure, the women change but not the routine you pull off. I mean, if a woman doesn't respond to your approach—"
"Which hardly ever happens."
She gave him an annoyed look.
"Sorry, but it had to be said." He was very successful with women despite what Cress might think. Even if Émilie wasn't as receptive to his advances as he hoped she would be.
"Do you actually want to hear what I have to say or just interrupt me every time?"
Thorne felt a sting at her reproach and acknowledged it with a small nod of his head. "Sorry." And this time, he meant it. "Please continue."
She considered him for a few seconds before she turned to the next aisle filled with tulips.
"I just mean, if a woman doesn't respond to your usual tactics"—Cress pointed in the general direction of where they had been standing with Émilie—"do you change your tactics, or go looking for the next one?"
"Why should I change it? It works for most women, why bother with one out of hundreds who doesn't fall for it?"
"Fall for it?" She gave him a knowing look. "See, that's what I mean. You do what you're comfortable with and what you practiced. You're attractive and charming and funny—
Thorne reveled in the compliments but resisted the urge to point them out, least he interrupted her again. He still made note of it. He needed every bit of ego stroking he could get.
"—and so it's easy for you. I'm sure tons of women are flattered by it. But it isn't genuine. You pull off the same routine for everyone and that makes none of the women special. And romance is about treating someone special. I don't mean grand gestures. Just a heartfelt moment where you look, really look at the person in front of you, and think about what would make a difference for them. Something that would make only them happy. And then you do that, not because you get something out of it but because to make them happy." Cress looked at him with a mixture of shame and embarrassment. "I didn't mean to insult you or what you do. No offense, I just—"
He quickly waved her concerns off. "None taken. Though is there a point why you're telling me this? I mean why are you suddenly so interested in my flirting techniques?" He tapped her nose with a teasing grin. "Or are you just jealous I'm not flirting enough with you? I can change that."
Her nose crinkled adorably, though if it was because she was flattered or annoyed he couldn't tell. He went with flattered anyway. "That's not what I meant. I just noticed that you approach women in the same impersonal way you do with clients."
He raised an eyebrow. "Wow, when you insult someone you do it all around."
Cress's eyes widened almost comically as she hurried to apologize. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I didn't mean anything by it." She made herself even smaller if that was possible and he could tell she was ashamed.
He wouldn't let her off that easily though. "Ah, but since you started it... so, basically I treat my clients like my women and vice-versa, right?" When she didn't say anything, he continued, "Believe me, as much I think I should be paid for my amorous efforts, it's not the case. I don't bed my clients either."
"You do sleep with some of the female guests though."
She had him there. "True. Though I don't pick up a girl at every wedding, I should clarify." They walked into the next room in silence where Cress picked a few orange flowers. He only recognized an orange gerbera. "So, I'm not paying close enough attention to the person I'm flirting or working with?"
"I ... yes. Wedding planning is so personal and with Cinder especially, I saw how much you care. You know her so well and it showed in the dancing lessons, for example. I'm sure you could do the same for other clients too."
"I would have to befriend them first. After all, I know Cinder for years now." He shook his head. "No, Cress, your way is too time-consuming for me. I would have to raise my salary to make it worth it. I doubt I can add 200 dollars just to guess the right flower."
By now, Cress carried a whole array of orange flowers in her hand, though he had the feeling she had only picked them up to keep her hands occupied. Her fidgeting confirmed that Cinder would definitely need a bouquet. "It's not that hard though," she told him quietly.
"Oh? Then why don't you pick a flower for me then? After four days, you should know what suits me, right?"
"A flower for your wedding?"
Thorne couldn't help but grimace at the thought. "Rather a fancy garden party."
Not perturbed in the least, a dreamy smile was playing on Cress's lips. "I already know which flower I would pick for you." She led the way through the room closest to the entrance. When Thorne peeked around the corner, there was still no sight of Émilie, but her younger brother scrolled through his phone, obviously bored as he had to keep watch of the store.
As he turned to Cress, she already carried a pot with a tall arrow-shaped plant from which many dark blue blossoms sprouted all over the stem. When he tried to touch one of the blossoms, Cress quickly held the pot out of reach. "Careful, they're toxic."
He scoffed at her comment. "Gee, thanks, Cress. I wonder why you picked it." Thorne had actually been impressed since the plant looked great, and the blue color complemented his eyes perfectly. He was hoping that was why she had picked it. He didn't like that it was apparently toxic though.
Her eyes shone happily as she considered the flower. "No, Thorne, that's not why I picked it. This isa delphinium. I don't remember every flower's meaning but a delphinium is a very happy flower. It stands for joy and the love of life. It's all about fun and big-heartedness and lightness. I feel it suits your character. And also, it's so striking that makes it hard to overlook. A delphinium is easily the center of attention because of its shape and color."
Thorne's eyes met hers, honestly a bit touched by her explanation. He had been expecting something different ... and not as flattering. "That's how you see me?"
Her small nod told him that she genuinely saw all those amazing things about him. "I know I just said a few things that might sounded harsh. But I also know that you're a great friend. You're a fun person to be around and it's clear that you're enjoying life. I'm sure that's what your friends appreciate about you. So, that's why I picked the delphinium for you."
It's not as if she hadn't flattered him by pointing out his good looks and charming attitude but that she appreciated all those other things ...
Thorne scratched his chin, unable to come up with one of his usual smarmy lines. "So, that's how it works then?"
Cress seemed a bit taken aback. "I guess."
"Okay, good. Interesting. So, you spend time with someone, do your soul-searchy thing and poof, you come up with a flower that perfectly fits your client."
"Well, it's not an exact science. It mostly comes naturally if you start to get to know someone."
"It can't be that hard." He had an idea. "Let me look at you."
"What?"
"You told me I'm not looking at people enough." He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her a bit closer. "Yes, let me do some soul-searching and pick the right flower for you."
"Um, I'm not sure that this is how it works. And I didn't mean looking so literally either."
"Shh, just let me try."
"O-okay."
Thorne leaned down and took a good look at Cress as she squirmed a bit under his scrutiny.
He thought about everything he knew about her, listing everything in his mind. Where she came from, her age, her being friends with Kai, being obsessed with weddings and everything romantic. He had noticed the way she had laughed and danced and sung when drunk, but also how she crinkled her nose when she was angry with him. Nothing helped him figure out the right flower for her. Or any flower really.
Taking in her blonde hair (maybe a sunflower? Or a yellow tea rose or was that too easy?) and a most charming placement of freckles on the bridge of her nose, his glance caught at her big blue eyes and lingered there. Her long hair and bangs often obscured parts of her face, so he hadn't looked too closely, aside from his scrutiny at the airport when he had picked her up, all sleepy and disheveled. But now he had time to take her in, her eyes were as blue as the sky and deeper than he thought he ever noticed about anyone else. It gave her face something more beautiful than he had granted her before. His own eyes dropped to her lips and, surprised by the sudden hitch in his throat, he coughed a bit uncomfortably.
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah."
Thorne hadn't expected the brief reaction but ascribed it to the close proximity and long, fierce eye-contact. He knew first-hand that eye-contact was the first, and most important step to flirting. People were attracted to each other in a split second, even if that realization came later. Pick-up lines and small touches came much later and could only work if the eye-contact had established a connection.
A bit too much eye-contact. That was all there was to it.
Being interested in her was out of the question but suddenly, he had the right idea for her flowers. Letting go of her, he browsed the store and quickly found the flowers he was looking for. He made a simple make-shift bouquet, knowing she would love them.
He jogged back, presenting his choice with a dramatic bow. "For you, my lady."
With a raise of an eyebrow he couldn't quite read, she took the flowers. It was an array of small, pink roses with baby's breath wounded half-hazardly around it. It was a popular choice for clients that were as romantic as Cress were. The combination was simple and elegant but also sweet. Thorne was pretty proud of his choice as he explained it to her.
But something like disappointment played over Cress's features before she smiled up at him. "Thank you, Thorne. They're wonderful." She took the flowers without a second look before pointing to the counter where Émilie was waiting for them. "We should go and see what Émilie has come up with. I'm sure she will have something amazing for us," she said and led the way.
He followed her but despite her nice words, Thorne instantly regretted his flower arrangement without quite knowing why.
A/N: I actually enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope you liked reading it too. I would appreciate it if you could leave a review, I swear they make my day. :D