"He kissed you?! Oh my God, tell me everything!"
"He didn't kiss me kiss me. It was a tiny peck to the cheek before he was gone." He rubbed his cheek again as he wrapped up some new bouquets.
"Uh huh. And that's why you keep rubbing your cheek and smiling like an idiot," Fairy teased. "So? You gonna accept his offer or what?"
"To go out on a date?" Jack shrugged. "It still doesn't feel like it really happened to me."
"You have his number, don't you? Why don't you just text him? Lay some hints down and see how he responds."
"One, because I was too busy being a bumbling idiot to get his number. Two, because what if I screw up again like I did at coffee? I looked like a complete gaping moron."
"And yet he still asked you out and kissed you. Doesn't sound like you screwed up that badly."
"I feel like this can't be real. Guys don't ask me out. That's just not something that happens."
"Maybe because you were meant to wait until this guy came along. Maybe he's your soulmate."
"You're really trying to tell me this guy could be my soulmate? I don't think those actually exist," he scoffed.
"Yeah, probably not. But that's not the point! The point that I'm trying to make is that you've been waiting for this guy to show up without realizing it."
Jack grumbled under his breath. "Sounds like you're being a hopeless romantic."
"Sounds like you're being a stubborn ass. What if you hesitate and he takes it as a refusal? What then?"
"Then I go back to my secret pining where nobody gets hurt."
"That's stupid."
"What's stupid?" Pitch shut the door behind him, looking between the two of them with a smile.
"Jack is being stupid."
"Oh?"
"She's the one being stupid," he mumbled. Jack quickly tidied up his work. "What can I help you with today?"
"I come bearing an invitation." Pitch walked up to the counter and leaned over it. "Dinner, tonight, you and me."
"Um...tonight? I can't." He cringed inwardly.
"Can't?"
"I promised Bunny I'd watch his kids so he and Lola could go out."
"Not exactly what I had planned for our first date, but bring them along. We'll find a more family friendly place."
"We could just go another time, couldn't we? You don't have to suffer through them with me."
"Are you trying to politely turn me down?"
"N-no. Only saying you might not want to go on a date with kids."
"It's alright if you're turning me down. However I will insist that you don't make plans for tomorrow night."
"I won't," he said quietly, looking down at his hands. "Promise."
"Okay, great. To make up for it, how about another dozen roses?"
"Of course. Flowers are the one thing I can't screw up." Jack chuckled and bundled up the flowers for him.
"Don't forget, you also owe me a surprise flower too."
"Of course. And I have just the right one…" He shuffled off around the shop in search of the perfect flower. "For the occasion." Jack came back and handed the man a Bird of Paradise. "Your flower."
"It's lovely. Thank you." Pitch smiled.
"You're welcome. And here are your roses, as always." Jack handed the bouquet over.
Pitch took the bouquet, the tips of his fingers brushing the back of Jack's hand. "Remember your promise, flower child."
"I will." He blushed. "Where do you want me to meet you?"
Pitch told him the name of the restaurant, inwardly preening at his ability to book a table at one of the hottest and most exclusive restaurants in the city. "Would eight be alright with you?"
Jack fought really hard to keep from blatantly gaping at him in shock. "Um, yeah. E-eight is fine."
"Perfect. I'll see you then." Pitch leaned over and gave him a teasing kiss on the cheek. "See you then," he whispered before giving Fairy a smile and a wave. "See you later, cutie pie!" Fairy squealed and blushed bright red.
The florist stood frozen as the man left the shop. "Well, shit. I guess I'm taking the kids with me to go shopping tonight."
"Jack, he's taking you to Arabian Nights! Do you know how hard it is to get in there? They have a waiting list ten years long!"
"I know. I also know how I don't have anything nearly nice enough to wear there!"
"Screw everything you have planned for tonight. The kids can stay with Nick, and I am taking you shopping. I may love my little hobo but I'm not letting him loose with a real hottie in Arabian Nights!"
"Are you sure North would be okay with that?"
"Totally! He'll do anything if it makes me happy!"
"And this makes you happy?" Jack laughed. "Making over your GBF?"
"Hells yeah! I'm gonna get you a boyfriend tonight, and don't you say no. It's obvious you like this guy, and he is clearly into you!"
"I'm not saying no. I had every intention of going shopping tonight to get something anyway. It'll probably be tons easier with you there to just tell me what I should wear."
"More like what you shouldn't wear. Big question is, are you looking to get laid tonight or not really?"
"I don't want to move that fast!"
"Sorry! Yeesh! I thought you'd want a slice of that beefcake as soon as possible."
"You know I'm not the type to sleep with someone on the first date." He teasingly shoved her away from him.
"That guy is not just some someone. That guy is hot and, as you've said, one of the only guys who's been smart enough to actually take an interest."
"I don't know if that's really smart of him…"
"Why not? You're a fantastic guy, so he's smart enough to have good taste."
"He could end up regretting it. I might not be exciting enough for him."
"Doubt it. He's seen you at your most boring, no offense. Once he gets you out of here, he'll probably be begging to spend the night with you." Fairy giggled and pretended to swoon. "It's all so romantic!"
"Want to trade stories with me? I feel like you're living through my cheesy story to make up for your and North's rather unmemorable story," Jack joked and ducked away into the back room.
"I'll have you know that North is perfectly romantic! However, he doesn't look like some super model like your guy. I love the big lug to death, but you have the opportunity to get a real catch!"
"I'm not saying he isn't a catch. Only that how you met wasn't very exciting."
"I'll admit, meeting at your lame attempt at a book club may not be very glamorous, but sometimes that's all it takes."
"You've stuck together this long; clearly it worked."
"Exactly! And so can bonding over a flower display."
"Okay fine." He sighed in defeat. " I'll give the guy a decent chance to prove my worries wrong."
The place was fancy. Almost oppressively fancy. There was a fountain in the middle of the dining room, and the bottom was hidden by floating hundred dollar bills. The people here were so rich that they had no problems with throwing away such a large sum in a fountain. At the very back, almost in a universe all his own, Pitch sat reading the menu. It was written entirely in French and didn't dare list the prices for anything. He looked up and smiled when he saw Jack. "Wow. You look…"
Jack shuffled nervously next to the table, smiling shyly. "You don't look too bad yourself." That of course was an understatement.
Pitch stood and came around the table to pull the chair out for Jack. "You look absolutely fantastic," he whispered, kissing Jack's cheek.
"Thanks," Jack mumbled with a soft blush. "Tina insisted that blue was 'my color.'"
"Blue is most definitely your color. Your eyes are sparkling and your skin is radiant."
"She made me get a haircut too. Said my hobo-ness would not work with this restaurant." Jack tugged self-consciously at a strand of hair with a chuckle. It wasn't that he didn't like the length; he just wasn't used to it. "You can imagine it was a busy day after you left."
"I think your hair is perfect. I also think your outfit is perfect. The color is perfect and your lack of...hobo-ness?"
"What she calls my flower shop sheek outfits," he laughed.
"I like that you, but this you is also very attractive. I'll have to think up excuses for this guy to make appearances."
"I'm not really used to dressing up like this." He shyly looked up to meet Kozmotis' eyes. "But I wouldn't mind if it means I get to see you more."
"I'd like to see you more too." Pitch smiled and reached up to brush his thumb across Jack's full lower lip. "That suit's tailoring is perfection," he teased.
"I'll be sure to tell Sandy you said so."
"Do," Pitch whispered, leaning just a little bit closer. When Jack also leaned in, he pulled back with a teasing chuckle. "It wouldn't do to make out with you in the middle of a restaurant."
"I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it's 'making out.'" Jack sat back in his seat and took a big drink of water.
"I'll ask you that again when I drop you off at your place after dinner."
"You won't have to do that; I drove here."
"Damn. Guess I won't get to make out with you."
Jack picked up the menu. "Sorry to disappoint." The longer he looked at it, the more his mind raced. "Where's the prices?"
"There are none."
"Then how am I supposed to know how much it costs?"
"You aren't. That's the point. You just pay for it when the check comes." Pitch smiled. "Don't worry. I know some of the less expensive options on the menu."
"So they want you to blindly order things so they can surprise you with the bill later? That hardly sounds like a scam at all," Jack grumbled under his breath.
"I'm going to let you in on a little secret." Pitch leaned in to whisper, "The people who come in here don't really care about the bill."
"Good point." Jack's nose wrinkled. "Sorry. I'm being rude, aren't I?"
"It's alright. We all make mistakes," Pitch teased.
"Maybe my mistake was agreeing to go somewhere so fancy." He smiled over the menu.
"I hope that mistake doesn't include agreeing to dinner with me."
"Dinner with you I'm not regretting yet. I'm more nervous because I've never been somewhere so fancy. I feel like I'm going to make an even bigger fool of myself than I already have."
"Look, just tell them you want one of these," Pitch reached across the table and pointed to a few options. "And you'll be good."
"Uh...the shrimp scampi sounds good?"
"Fantastic. A very good choice."
"What are you getting?"
"That's not important. What is important is you."
"So I can't know what you're getting?"
"Would you like to know?"
"What you're getting to eat, yes," Jack laughed.
"The lobster with a sauce that makes it very expensive for some reason."
"Ah. That sounds like it's perfect for this place."
"It's only four hundred dollars, but don't tell anyone."
Jack barely stopped himself from choking on his drink. "Four hundred?"
"Yeah. Normally it's six, but I know how to order it to get a little discount."
"And how often do you come here?"
"Not very often."
"What do you do for a living again?"
"I'm in the arts."
"English Literature?"
"Acting."
"Oh? That sounds interesting. Are you any good?"
"I don't think so."
"You must be at least decent to be able to afford a place like this." He gestured around at the grand restaurant. "Unless...you're not a porn star are you?"
Pitch chuckled. "No, I'm not a porn star, so don't look for a sex video on the internet."
"Damn," Jack teased. "You'd be the best looking porn star out there."
"Thank you," Pitch hummed. "That was sweet of you to say."
"You're welcome." He told the waiter his order when he came around and folded his hands in his lap. "So what kind of actor are you? Theater?"
"You could say that."
"Alright then." Jack looked around for a moment, trying to think of something else to say.
"Tell me more about you. Your likes, your dislikes, your passions."
"Well, I like flowers, obviously. I already told you I love to read. I love going to the theater when I have the chance, so that's something we have in common, I suppose."
"Do you have any plays you like to see? Or perhaps you enjoy ballet? Or opera?"
"I enjoy a little of everything. Musicals and dramas are my favorites."
"Oh really? What musicals do you like? I've recently discovered Hamilton and Heathers."
"I haven't been able to get tickets yet to see Hamilton. They all sold out before I could even get the chance to look. I really love Billy Elliot."
"That's a good musical too! How do you feel about Phantom of the Opera?"
"It's alright. A classic but a little overplayed now."
"Alright? It's one of my favorite musicals! I always fantasized about being the Phantom, but I can't sing very well."
"I can't sing either! And it's nothing against the musical itself. Andrew Lloyd Webber is a genius. I've just heard it so many times."
"I get it. My favorite thing to do is blast the movie version of the overture. I know one day I'll either destroy my speakers or my eardrums, but I can't help it! Have you seen the sequel?"
"I can't say I have. Honestly, I didn't know there was a sequel." Jack cringed in shame.
"That's alright; not a lot of people do. I think it's very misunderstood."
"I think everyone got so hyped up about the first one and didn't keep up with it after that."
"I get that. When you have perfection, anything that comes after is just...rubbish."
"Exactly. What about you? What are your interests and likes and passions?"
"Give me a topic and I'll tell you."
"How about...music?"
"Music? Well...I hate country, and I absolutely cannot stand rap. I've recently gotten into the music of foreign countries. Last week was various k-pop groups and this week is Bollywood."
"That's fun. I can't stand country either."
"What about you? What's your favorite music?"
"Anything upbeat really. I'm not particularly into a specific genre. If it's catchy and not country I'll listen to it."
"Do you like dancing? Maybe we could go to a club."
"I don't dance."
"At all, or badly?"
"Badly is the nicest way of describing it."
"I don't mind bad dancing. There was one time I had to dance for a role and it took me months, months, to learn basic moves."
"I'm like horrifically, awkwardly awful though."
"How about you give me one chance? If it's really bad I'll never ask you again."
Jack thought for a moment. "Fine. One chance."
"Fantastic. Warning though, I don't think I'll be much better."
"Then we'll just look like those two weirdos at a club who can't dance."
"I don't mind. In a club with all that noise and all those bodies, it'll be easy to lose ourselves."
"Or easier to stand out with how bad we are," he laughed.
"You're quick to think that people notice your flaws."
"It's been my experience that they are."
"If you know that, then embrace it. Dance with confidence, emphasize your lovely coloring, be bold with your questions."
"I really prefer to just stay off peoples' radar."
"I'm the opposite. I know I have flaws, but I don't let them see when the criticism affects me. I just hold my head high and pretend they didn't say anything."
"That's a huge difference between us."
"Will it be a problem? Have I lost any chance of seeing you again outside of the flower shop?"
"I wouldn't go that far. I was only saying so you would t get your hopes up that I'm different in that aspect."
"I know you're not like me. I can tell by the way you've been watching everyone to see if they're watching you."
"I'm sorry," Jack groaned. "I do it without even realizing."
"I wish you would focus on me half as much as you are on them. I could almost be jealous."
"Sorry it's awful of me." He looked back up at his date, focusing strictly on him.
"Much better. Your eyes are so much prettier when they're looking up at me," Pitch purred.
"I think you're making me blush on purpose now."
"Only partly. You're rather attractive when you blush."
"I'm so pale it sticks out like a sore thumb."
"Or like the pale blush of pink on an otherwise white rose."
"I think I'm seeing that English Lit masters degree showing a bit."
"Sorry. Guess that was a little much."
"No, no. I didn't mean it like that. It was beautiful. You're very poetic." Jack smiled shyly.
"Thank you," Pitch hummed. "I guess you inspire me."
"That's a first," he snorted. "I've never been anyone's inspiration before."
"I'm surprised. I'd think you'd be quickly snatched up by anyone with taste and a working pair of eyes."
"Sadly that is not the case. Obviously."
"Not too sadly. Their loss is my gain."
"According to you. I'll hold my breath to see how long you believe that."
"What do you believe about me?"
"That you're...very intelligent and thoughtful and...handsome." He blushed.
"Really?" Pitch smiled and took a sip of wine. "Are you attracted to me?"
"Yes," Jack answered quietly before chugging the rest of his water.
"Are you embarrassed about that?"
"That I'm actually saying it out loud."
"What if I asked you to say it again in private?"
"I might be able to be convinced. Might."
"How could I convince you, Jack?"
"I think if you keep doing what you have all along it'll happen soon enough."
"Buying roses whenever I want to see you?"
"Mostly just coming to see me."
"I won't be able to come as often as I have been. I have something coming up which will involve a great deal of my time for a little while. May I call you or text you until I get back?"
"Yeah, of course." He fixed his smile, which had fallen the slightest bit at the news.
"Now don't be sad." Pitch reached across the table and covered Jack's clenched hands with one of his. "I will talk to you everyday. Even when you don't feel like talking I'm going to bother you."
Jack laughed. "I don't know if that sounds very appealing either!"
"Too bad. Unless...no, you probably wouldn't want to…"
"Want to what?"
"Certain people I work with bring friends with them. These friends stay in their hotel rooms and, uh...well, you can figure out the rest."
Pale cheeks flushed red for what felt like the millionth time that night. "I-I think it's a little too soon to be thinking of doing something like that."
"I would like you to consider it while I'm away. When I get back, I'd like you to become my live-in lover."
Jack tensed in his seat. "That's sort of an...odd way to describe...whatever direction you hope this goes...but I'll consider it?"
"I'm glad." Pitch reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a tube. He unwrapped it to reveal a single red rose. "I may not be very knowledgeable when it comes to flowers, but I do know what these mean." He held it out to Jack. "I desire you very much."
"Thanks," Jack whispered as he took the flower carefully. But I don't want you to just desire me. I want you to love me too. He gently tucked it into his lapel.
"Strange. For the first time in a long time, I'm faced with someone who isn't desperate to hop into bed with me."
"Sorry to disappoint, Mr. Pitchner. It'll take more than an extremely expensive dinner and a rose for me to reach that level of comfort with you."
Pitch laughed. "Indeed? I think I've actually offended you!"
"Someone could take it that way. It's a first date and you asked if I wanted to go on a business trip with you and just wait in the hotel room for you to have sex when you get back." His eyebrow rose sarcastically.
"You are truly fascinating." Pitch smiled. "I take back my offer, for now. It will not come up again between us unless you make it."
"How very...polite of you," Jack teased.
"Not polite. I'm not polite at all."
He grinned. "Glad to see we agree on that."
"I apologize for my atrocious behavior. I am truly a beast."
"Apology accepted, if...you're buying dinner."
"Anything you want, on me."
"Perfect. Because honestly I don't think a florist's salary could buy a glass of water here," Jack chuckled.
"I may have taken that into account," Pitch hummed. "How else could I have convinced you to let me buy you dinner?"
"Ah, so this was your plan all along. Play the part of playboy to offend me into letting you buy me dinner?" He eyed his date suspiciously. "Clever boy…"
"You caught me," Pitch chuckled. "Don't be too angry with me."
"I won't. It was all for a good outcome, after all."
"I have your company, and you can use my credit card to indulge your desire for really good food."
"Is it really that good? Or are you just paying for the ambiance of grandeur?"
"A little of both. The shrimp scampi is quite delicious."
"And your ridiculously priced lobster?"
"Less delicious but still good."
"Be honest. Did you bring me here because you really like it or because you just wanted to impress me?"
"Oh, you've caught me again. Now you know I just want to impress you."
"For the future, you should know that I don't need all the fanciness to be impressed. You've been impressing me since you first started coming to the shop."
"What was it? My wit, my devilishly handsome good looks, or my charm?"
"Honestly? Your relationship with your mom. It takes a very loving and special person to be so open about something like that. Especially when they're a grown man."
"Hmm…" Pitch sat back. "You value honesty."
"It makes my world go round." Jack smiled. "You have nothing to worry about."
"What if someone you care about lied to you?"
"It hurts. There's no pain quite like it." He shrugged. "I've learned that the best way to deal with it is to learn from my mistakes."
"That sounds ominous."
"Not really. It's life."
"What do you do about the people who lie?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you discovered someone you cared for was lying to you, would you cut them from your life or would you give them a chance to make amends?"
"No way. At least...I haven't had anyone lie to me that badly yet. The people I trust I trust for a reason. A lie will change my view, possibly drastically, but I don't ever want to completely lose someone."
"That's honorable of you. I'm not sure I could ever be so forgiving."
"You do seem more of a serious kind of guy than me."
"You become serious in my line of work. It's highly competitive, and deception is a common occurrence. It's easy to find oneself grow jaded and skeptical."
"Understandable. You should quit and become a florist. I mostly deal with people in love showing their love and appreciation for others. Typically happy occasions." Jack grinned. "Plus, I think you could benefit from an employee discount."
"I doubt I'd have need of so many roses if I quit," Pitch mumbled quietly.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"My long absences angers my mother. If I was a florist, she probably wouldn't be so angry all the time."
"Oooo. Good point." Jack snickered. "Then you could use your discount whenever you did get her flowers."
"Or you."
"O-or me." He blushed, thankful when their meal finally arrived.
"If I had an employee discount, I would send you a sunflower every day."
"A sunflower? Why a sunflower?"
"Because of your sunny disposition and the way your face radiates when you smile."
"So you think a sunflower represents who I am?"
"There is a plant called the Queen of the Andes. Have you heard of it?"
"Of course. The puya raimondii."
"I believe that is the plant which represents you best. It may not be as appealing to the average person as a rose or a sunflower. But every hundred years it blooms and astounds everyone. You're the same. You may be passed over for people who are better looking or more charming, but that's only because you're waiting to bloom."
Jack's cheeks were growing sore from the sheer number of times he'd blushed around his date. "And what if I never bloom?"
"Impossible. The flower must always bloom, but only when it's ready."
"I'll believe it when I see it." Jack shoved a bite of food in his mouth, and his face instantly brightened. "You were right about this being good!"
"I'm glad you like it." Pitch smiled and slowly ate his own food, intently watching Jack the whole time."
"How's your tiny serving of lobster?" He grinned around another mouthful, trying to resist laughing at the insanely small serving on Kozmotis' plate. .
"Delightful. How's yours?"
Jack chuckled. "Delicious. And more than one mouthful unlike yours."
"I'm savoring it."
"I can see that." He thanked the waiter when his glass was refilled with water and took a drink. "Think it would be worth it for me to try it next time?"
"Based on your mockery of its size, I'd say not. That's granted on you wanting to come back at all."
"I'm sorry. Did I offend you by commenting on the size of your lobster?"
"Immensely. I may never forgive you."
"What a shame."
"Indeed. You'll have to make it up to me."
"And how does Kozmotis Pitchner like to be made up to? Would flowers be accepted?"
"I want a special bouquet made up of whatever flowers you want. I want a bouquet of flowers that you believe describes me."
"I can definitely do that. I'll be sure to have it ready by the next time you come into the shop."
"Thank you. I look forward to seeing what you think of me."
"Don't get your hopes up too high. What I think of you might not be very accurate. I don't know you too well yet."
"You know the only part of me I can actually tolerate."
"What about the rest of you? It can't be all that bad."
"You say that only because you don't know it."
"I hope I'll get to know it someday."
"I hope I'll be worthy enough."
"I think you will." Jack smiled reassuringly.
"I have something to tell you, and it is very important."
"If it's important to you, go ahead."
"At some point before we part for the night, I plan on kissing you."
Jack quickly slowed his chewing before he could choke on it. "That's your big news? I would have taken you to enjoy spontaneity more."
"I could imagine you scurrying away as soon as possible to avoid it. I want you to know that I won't let you."
"I wouldn't be opposed to a kiss. Just know that I don't sleep with anyone on first dates."
"I wouldn't expect any less from you."
"Or the second or the third or fourth," he laughed.
"I look forward to sleeping with you after our fifth date then."
"Maybe. We'll see how things go until then. I might have to extend your probation period."
"So I'm on probation?"
Jack nodded. "That's what dating is like isn't it? You date to test the waters; when you've had enough time and experience to really know the person and trust them then you get to have all the perks of a relationship, sex and such included."
"I have a feeling earning your trust will not be an easy thing to do."
"I'll admit to being a little wary to trust. You can blame the people in my past. It's thanks to them that I've learned from my mistakes and don't open up so easily anymore."
"Another man?"
"A string of them. I don't have the best of luck in dating."
"And yet you think you're undesirable."
"When the only guys I've managed to attract are creeps and weirdos, that isn't exactly a confidence booster."
"Is that what you see when you look at me?"
"Not at all. I'm really hoping you'll be the one to break my bad dating streak."
"If I was smart, I'd probably let you go."
"Are you a creep, after all?"
"You may think so once you really get to know me."
"And that's why you're on a probation period," Jack teased.
"I don't want to disappoint you."
"I'm not thinking you will." He smiled and scooped up the last of his food.
"I am definitely kissing you tonight."
"Later, of course."
"Not too much later."
"No. It'll be here soon enough."
"How much experience do you have with kissing?"
"I'm...decent I think? It's not like I've never kissed anyone before."
"I'll have to be careful not to overwhelm you then."
"We haven't even finished dinner yet!"
"Says who?"
"I-I don't know. I assumed we were staying longer since you-" He barely resisted facepalming himself. "You didn't seem like you were leaving anytime soon."
"I'd like to leave when you're ready."
Jack finished off his glass of water and folded his napkin back on the table. "Ready when you are."
"Is your car outside?"
"Just around the corner."
"How about you wait for me outside while I pay the check?"
"Alright." Jack stood and, after pushing his seat back in, followed his date back to the front of the restaurant. He left Kozmotis at the front, made a quick stop in the restroom, and went to wait outside. The cold night air was instantly refreshing and helped ease some of the nerves from his stomach.
Pitch came up behind him and put his hand on Jack's waist. "Let me walk you to your car."
Jack smiled over at him and pointed down the street. "It's that way."
"Come on then." Pitch walked with Jack down the street and around the corner. "Which car is yours?"
"The blue one over there." He took his keys out and unlocked the arctic blue sedan a few cars in front of them.
In a flash, Jack was turned around and pressed up against the side of his car, warm lips claiming his in a passionate kiss. Pitch pulled back only enough to let Jack take a breath before he was kissing him again. Finally he backed up and smiled down at him. "Goodnight, Jack."
"Good-" he gulped. "Goodnight, Kozmotis." Blue eyes were wide as they watched the handsome man walk away. He knew about the kiss, but he wasn't expecting that. The whole drive home, Jack couldn't slow his racing heart no matter how he tried.
Eek! They finally kissed! 4 reviews to see what happens next ;)