Part 2:

((I had a silly dream after I wrote the first part about what happens next but I wouldn't have continued if I hadn't gotten such nice reviews asking for more. so, you asked, and now you receive! hope you like it as much the second time around))

C-

Days pass in a blur of work- I can't believe I have two to five appointments each day this week!- but the flower shop and Erik are never far from my mind, the rose sitting in it's opaque black vase in my corner of the parlor. It survives much longer than the tiger lillies did, probably because of some magical life nectar Erik put in it, and I am grateful to see it bloom from something little more than a bud to a wide open, utterly perfect rose over the course of a week, rather than two days. It only grows brighter red as it opens, brilliant and lovely.

Finally, my last appointment for the day wraps up, a seahorse with it's tail wrapped around a giant pearl that stretches down half the clients back, and I am exhausted but excited. I kept meaning to call ahead to Roses in Ribbons, but I got backed up and forgot… so now it'll just be a surprise visit! I don't want to wait anymore.

I am a little worried, though, since it's so late in the afternoon by normal people hours, and Darius did say that Erik usually left or something by the time I got there last time, which was a couple hours before noon, and now it's nearly dinner time.. But something in my heart tells me to go now rather than wait til tomorrow, so I clean up my station and my tools and myself, making sure my face is clear of ink and my jeans don't have any fresh stains, and head out. I took my bike to work today, as I was in a bit of a rush this morning, and I am grateful now that I don't have to walk the six blocks to my house as well as the three to the shop itself. It's a lovely day for a bike ride, too, with the sun starting to head towards the west horizon, the city cooling down just before the night heats up.. I find myself humming happily as I feel the wind in my hair even through my helmet.

I lock my bike up to a conveniently located bike rack across the street and skip over. I am surprised to find there are several people in the shop, talking either to each other or to Darius, who seems not the least bit overwhelmed by all the commotion. He even manages to call to me as I enter, saying, 'Be with you in a moment!', even though I'm sure he didn't see it was me. But, feeling a bit overwhelmed myself, suddenly shy, I find an empty place between two shelves and try to get myself interested in the flowers there. Several minutes pass before Darius makes his way to me, gasping happily when he recognizes me.

"Hey, you're back! Did you get the flower?" He asks, excited and curious.

"I did. It was a wonderful surprise. It's kinda what brought me back. Is.. he in today?"

"He is, but we've been so busy he's not really.. on-call, I guess you could say. If you don't mind waiting until it dies down a bit in here, I would love to go grab him, I'm- I'm sure he'd love to see you too." Darius explains, gesturing over his shoulder at the small crowd that circles in and out of the shop. "It usually starts to quiet down just before dinner time."

"Yeah, sure! I can wait. Free the rest of the day." I nod, hardly trying to hide my own excitement.

"Awesome! See you in a bit, then." He waves, and returns to the other customers. I reinvest myself in the flowers, though I really just start to daydream and wonder.. what'll happen now? I've never been particularly flirtatious or anything. I don't even really know for sure if Erik meant it in the way that I'm hoping, in a romantic, flirtatious invitation to return.. But then again, he's the flower guy, he would know the connotation that red roses carry. Surely, then…? But what if he assumed that, being the pedestrian I am, I wouldn't know that, or something, and assumed I would just appreciate the flower as a flower with no other meaning to it? Am I reading into this too much?

I grow more and more nervous as time passes, until the sunlight piercing through the shop is a bright and wicked orange, and the shadows are long and dark and blue. I find a couple of chairs in the back of the store and hide myself away there, trying to relax. Even if I completely misinterpreted his intentions, he doesn't need to know that. I can just.. gauge his reaction to my being here, and go from there. Yeah. Yeah! Just because I've got the tiniest, ittiest, bittiest crush on the guy, doesn't mean my life is over if he doesn't feel the same way! I've had worse scenarios! I can survive this!

My internal pep talk manages to calm me down a little, at least feeling like I have a 'plan' now, and I relax against the chair.

Everything will be all alright…

"Excuse me..? Ah, Christine?" I jump at the sound of the voice, suddenly awake. I hadn't even realized I was drifting off, let alone fully asleep! I rub my eyes, begging them to focus. I look up to see Erik standing over me, curiously eying me. I jump to my feet.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I did not mean to fall asleep- I just had a really busy week and I guess I should've slept or something first but I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was ignoring you so I came as soon as I could which was right now today-" I blurt out, straightening myself and my clothes and everything out, feeling incredibly silly for having fallen asleep in a public place, let alone in this situation.

"You're fine!" Erik blurts out, hands out as though he's trying to still my chaotic movement. I do slow down, forcing myself to. "It is late.."

"Wh-what time is it?"

"I believe it is just after seven." Erik replies, looking at his wrist, presumably for a watch, but there isn't one. "Darius said we were much busier than expected today. I apologise for the wait.." He rubs his hands together, looking away. He's just as nervous as I am… goodness.

"It's fine. I did come over unexpectedly." Erik nods at that.

"I didn't think you were coming back."

"I'm sorry, I really did want to come sooner, and I couldn't call because-"

"Oh, no, pardon me, I assumed from the beginning you wouldn't be coming back. The- The rose was something of a farewell. I thought- I presumed I was too.. impolite with what I said, and so it was an apology as well."

"Oh." I say. "I didn't mean to make you think that. I really did have every intention of coming back."

"Truly?" He smiles, perking up. "I am glad to see you again. I hoped I would get to apologise in person for my behavior, to not end on that note."

"You don't have to apologise! I- I'm just oversensitive." I shrug.

"Nonsense. If it matters to you, it matters to you. I may not have known, but my ignorance does not invalidate the way you felt, or feel about it, or make if fair of me to wantonly insult you without caring for consequences."

"I.. guess so. It's nice of you to care, though." I feel myself blush a little, my cheeks reddening.

"Certainly. Now.. was there something particular you came for?"

"No. I just, uh.." I want to say it, I want to just say it, but can I? "I just wanted to see you again." Did I just say that? Did I really? Oh my gosh!

"Me?" He nearly squeaks, dumbfounded. He clears his throat, stepping away, straightening himself out. "Me?" He repeats.

"Yeah. You're.. cool. And…" Here, I'm at a loss for words. What did I think I wanted? What did I hope for out of this? "Just wanted to know if you thought the same. I guess."

"Do I think you're 'cool'?" He reiterates, slowly, like pulling puzzles pieces together, but they're all different colors and none of the shapes match up.

"Yes! No- no, I mean-" I put a hand to my face. "I'm really bad at this.." I whine, blustering. I feel my face heat up even worse.

"I do."

"What?"

"I do think you're 'cool'. I'm afraid I don't use the word itself very much, but I believe the, the meaning of the word is one I would, and do, attribute to you. Th-that is, I enjoy your company. You are.. interesting."

"You think so?"

"You are the most interesting thing to walk through my doors since I did nearly twenty years ago." Erik says confidently, pointing to the door with an upward tilt of his head. I can see a faint smile grow wider, and I can feel myself smiling in return.

"Awesome.. I- I mean, thank you."

"Did you have anything in mind when you came over?" He asks, gesturing to the shop, but I sigh, chuckling at myself.

"No, actually. I wasn't sure I'd get this far." I lace my hands together, nervous again, though not nearly as much as before. Erik turns his head in thought, arms behind his back like a proper businessman.

"I'm sad to say I don't have any suggestions myself. I do not.. do much."

"Well, what do you do?" He thinks for a moment after that, like he's not entirely sure himself.

" I make my arrangements in the morning. Read, when it's quiet in the evenings. Play music, from time to time, I write.."

"Really? What do you play?"

"I adore the violin, but I have dabbled in a little of everything, once upon a time." He speaks wistfully, wrapped in memories until he looks down at me. "Do you have any instruments? Do you care for music, at all?"

"Oh yeah! I mean, no to playing, myself. My parents were both musicians so I'm.. I used to be really interested in everything they did. My hands weren't made for music, though. Can't strum, can't pluck, can't even drum. But paper and pencil? Ink and skin? I've got that. They were happy I just found something I loved.." I flex my hand, feeling the strength there, remembering every time I set myself to a project and felt complete. "I still love to listen to music, of course, especially when I work. It brings family back into the everyday."

"Marvelous. You said, last time, that you were a tattoo artist, yes?"

"That's right."

"I cannot imagine what that must be like. Very close, very.. intimate. I am a.. distant person by nature, so I respect the ability to.. do that. Be close."

"Sometimes it can be pretty intimate, and in more ways than one. One of my best friends is someone who was originally just a client. She's the one I came here for, actually."

"I shall have to thank her, then." Erik says with a soft clap of his hands, like he's ready to get to work.

"What for?"

"For introducing us, of course. Like I said, you are the most interesting person I've met in a long while. I am grateful to have met you."

"Wow." I blush. I'm used to receiving compliments on my art and my tattoos, maybe even my outfit or my hair, but not on the whole of me. I'm not entirely sure how to respond.

"Have I perhaps misspoken again?" Erik turns, concerned.

"What? No, no, I'm just- you're awful sweet and I- it caught me unaware. And I'm.. really awkward. Unsure of myself in general. It's been a while since anyone was interested in me, or I was interested in anyone else, either. Since before.." I stop, remembering, making myself blue. I put my hand to the flowers on my arm, trying to feel stronger, but it just makes me miss them even more. "Yeah, it's just been a while."

"Would it comfort you to know I have never had interest taken in me? And that I have never had interest in anyone before?" Erik asks slowly, cautiously. I look up from the floor, to find his gaze on me, and though it's focused, very focused on me, it feels.. non-confrontational, gentle, simply curious, and maybe even a bit afraid. The fingers of his right hand fiddle with a ring on his left. "I am unused to speaking with new people, especially those as.. fascinating as you are."

"I don't really think I am. I'm.. I guess my job is really interesting. It can lead me to do or see some fun and weird stuff, but.. it's not nearly as interesting as you are, Mister Mystery. You're all.. refined and elegant and you own this beautiful shop and you know so much and.. I don't know. It's so neat."

"That's one word for it, I suppose." He chuckles. Suddenly, my stomach growls and I blush, feeling practically neon with embarrassment again. "I didn't think I'd kept you that long. I apologise, Christine.."

"No, no, it's not your fault! I actually don't think I ate lunch today. It was a busy day and I was on a roll so.. Yeah, I don't think I ate since breakfast." I sigh, disappointed in myself. It's been a long time problem of mine, and even my dad before me, of getting too wrapped up in some project to take proper care of ourselves. Erik seems taken back, but not too surprised. "I guess I should go.. take care of that, then. Got an early day tomorrow, too, and I'm sure you do too." I snap a finger, pointing, trying to bring back the levity we had just a moment ago.

"Ah, yes. I do take the time to set up first thing in the morning, though usually Darius takes over before we open.. And it is important to eat." He states, moving behind the counter, like a physical construct of the awkwardness suddenly between us again.

"Yeah." I notice, for the first time, how dark it's gotten out, even here in the shop, where there's electric lights overhead, it seems dim. Not quite to the point of lifelessness, but certainly not as bright and happy as it was earlier, even when it was painted in orange light and blue shadow. We're dressed in softer whites and greys, the old bulbs making everything a bit flatter. Outside, the world is heavy with blacks and blues and harsh yellows from street lights. "It was really nice to talk again, though. Maybe.. I can come by again?" I hope, I really hope I'm not presuming too much, not reading things wrong, but he said as much himself that he's interested in me. Maybe he hasn't clarified what kind of interested, but hey, it's a start.

"Yes, please do. I would like that very much."

"Maybe we could grab dinner somewhere..?" I suggest. That's classy, right? Classy enough for a guy like this?

"I, ah, don't tend to eat out. On account of.. a few things." He says, tapping the mask.

"Oh, of course- I didn't think before I- I'm so sorry, I forgot- I didn't realize, I-" I groan, burying my face in my hands. Of course, he wears a mask, he doesn't want to be seen out, why am I so dense.

"No, it's perfectly fine. I am- Perhaps instead we could have a dinner here? I have the upstairs residential, we could.. If that's not too impertinent, or inappropriate.."

"No, that would be great! I'd love to hang out again. I don't know when I'll be free again but.. I could text you?"

"I do not have a cellular phone, unfortunately. I have a landline, but it does not receive text communication. Would an email suffice?" He offers, but I see his ears redden. Is he embarrassed? That's so cute though

"Yes, perfect. I've got my email on my phone, too, so you can message me any time." He relaxes, then, confirming my earlier thought, but I wonder if he knows that he's only growing more interesting by the second..

"Good. Here, let me write mine down for you.." He pulls out a piece of paper from the back counter, by a dusty old printer, and quickly but easily writes out a long address. He hands the slip of paper to me. "I look forward to your email."

"Same." I smile. "I mean- yeah, I'll message you tonight! Thanks."

"You are most welcome. Shall I.. see you to the door?" He motions to the front door again, leaning towards the stable-style swing door that separates the behind the counter from the rest of the shop.

"It's probably a good idea to lock it behind me, yeah." I reply as he comes around again, leading me to the front, even though I know perfectly well where it is. He opens the door, holding it for me.

"Before you go, could I perhaps ask something?" He asks, a hand out as though to catch me, but he hesitates.

"Sure."

"Did you enjoy it? The rose?"

"I did. I have it in the parlor where I work. I'll be sad when it dies." I admit. It hasn't started to droop yet, but flowers don't last forever, even with whatever magic Erik put into it to make it last this long..

"I will have to find you another, then. Until next time, Christine.." He gives a dip of his head, closing his eyes gently.

"Until next time, Erik.." I do the same, hesitating before I walk out into the dark and neon cityscape, away from the pastels and the greens and the daring yellow of his eyes. I trot across the street, fumbling with my bike lock, and when I turn to put on my helmet and wave goodbye, he's no longer at the door, apparently no longer even on the first floor. It hits me that I asked him, essentially, on a date, after talking to him three different times, today included. Me!

I have a date. With a really cool, and really mysterious guy. I have a date! I squeal with delight as I hop up on my bike and start to pedal away.

E-

I watch from my upstairs window as she beams and cycles off into the night, remembering to first turn on a headlight. I feel myself smile as she goes, but then I pull away from the glass, letting the curtain fall.

What on earth am I doing? I can't really think this will turn out well, can I? I suppose it has so far, but.. nothing ever stays that way for me. I can't bring myself to regret allowing her into my life, though, not yet. Perhaps she'll grow bored of me and move on in her own time, and I will be able to hold on to what pleasant memories we share in the meantime. Yes, this is a temporary thing. It won't last. I will enjoy it while it lasts, and let it end when it comes time.

Even so.. I am eager to speak with her. I am not sure what it is about her that draws me so, but I am.. so drawn to her. There's something familiar about her, something in her I recognize, but I cannot name it. She's also so new, so different, so strange and foreign, and that is alluring in its own way. In tandem, these things make her irresistible, or nearly. I suppose I'm just weak for not restraining myself, for not pulling myself back when I know, I know this can only end poorly for me. I am consciously making a mistake in inviting her in, both literally and figuratively, but I still do not find it within me to regret it or be ashamed.

I remove my mask for the night, my face warm and uncomfortable underneath. It's worth the ability to talk to her, though. I wash away the sweat and try not to look at that which I hide, the very reason I know this is all going to be miserable. I have more important things to focus on, like cleaning my apartment. If she's coming over to dine, my place of residence should look respectable, shouldn't it? At this moment, it's a mess of composition pages and candles and matches.. which reminds me of the part I was trying to bring together earlier, my chain of thought from that moment lost.

But, looking at where I was headed now, I can hear a better way to continue. I pull up the violin, rereading, mentally mapping out the new ideas. I replay the older parts, the more defined section, adding some experimental waivers and notes, from which I segue into the new part, light and loose and.. happy. The tune turns from melancholy to mirth, bubbling with enthusiasm and energy.

Satisfied, I hastily write down the new course for the song, and set down the violin in its case, letting it sleep for the night. And, with that, I resume my earlier mission of cleaning and organizing.. I have a very special guest coming over, after all.

By the time I feel ready for sleep, for my day to truly end, it's quite late, but my studio is significantly improved and I feel very satisfied with the progress. There's still much to do, but there will be more time in the coming days. I suppose I'll have to send Darius out to get some supplies, my kitchenette unfortunately low on supplies, and if we are to have a dinner, it will have to be cooked.. As I settle into bed, I start to write a list of what I'll need, but I drift off before I can finish it, sleep finding me easily tonight..

C-

"You have a date!?" Meg shouts, jostling the table and my arm, but I pull away in time to save her neck from having a permanent etch-a-sketch failure of a line down it.

"Yeah! I think! Now, stay still!"

"How can I stay still? You have a daaaate! And, best of all, you asked him. And he's showin' you his place! Ah! That's so cool!"

"Like I said, I'm not really entirely sure it's a date. He didn't say anything specific. It's.. it's just a dinner for now."

"Okay, see, you say that, but I am still going to fully assume it's a damn date. You've got a date!" She squeals. I sigh, and she stills, letting me resume her halo of flowers. It's going nicely so far, the linework coming easily tonight. It's going to look marvelous when it's done.. "When is it?"

"Thursday. I had a client cancel on me, and he was the only one that evening, and Erik said that day didn't have any pick-ups in the second half of the day, so we're both free and no one should really be a bother in the shop, so.."

"Oh, that's so cool. He owns a flower shop. He's all artsy like you. You guys, are like, made for each other."

"As if. I'm not sure that kind of thing exists. We just.. clicked. Maybe it's the weird way we met or something, but we clicked. Or whatever." I shrug.

"I don't know. It's all kinda magical. I mean. Fairy tale. Those romances you see in movies or read about in books and they're too good to be true.. but here you are. You've got a mystery guy who's really sweet and you're a rad artist girl who is undeniably kick ass.. and you've got a date!"

"Honestly, I'm surprised you read, Meg." I joke. She laughs. "Do you really think it seems that special?"

"Well. In one way, every relationship and the start of it is special and magical in its own way, even the ones that are bad. So maybe I'm just extra happy for you that this one seems so.. good? I mean, it does just seem like you've got something extra special between you, or you could. I may be romanticising it all just the tiniest bit, but you seem so happy."

"What? I'm always happy."

"Yeah, but not like this. You are, like, glowing this past week. So excited and chipper and.. better." She turns her head to look at me. I lean back so she can actually see me. "I know we haven't been friends too long, and maybe you don't think of me like that anyway, maybe I'm just a nosy client to you, but I know.. we don't talk about your family. Because it obviously upsets you a lot. But the weight of whatever happened, it's always there, just beneath, ready to come out and make you sad.. I'm not saying this fling with Erik has, like, cured that or anything, but you seem so much more genuinely.. happy. Like maybe the weight of whatever happened isn't so heavy."

"Oh, Meg.. I guess I see what you mean. I have.. felt a lot better. But don't discount yourself from that, either. You are my friend, and I hope I'm good enough to be yours. And it was your project that led me to this, so it's your fault, too." I smile.

"Aw, you mean that?"

"Of course!" And then she swings an arm around to give me a hug, despite the fact that I'm sitting almost on top of her. Nevertheless, it's a really sweet moment, and I find myself really grateful to know her and how sweet she is, in her own odd way. She pulls away, eyes a little wetter. "Now, how about I finish your lillies?"

"My lilium lancifolium!" She says, giddy. "Yeah, why not?"