Chloe shuffled busily behind the counter, preparing vases of floral arrangements for delivery, and trying to keep up with the constant stream of customers walking through the front door.
February 14th, Valentine's, the most manic day of the year to be working in a flower shop, and she had volunteered for the insanity. It wasn't too bad though, she mused. Julia, the shop's owner, had promised her bonus pay, because she knew what a madhouse it would be. Being single and a poor student that was an offer she couldn't turn down. Besides, working at a frenetic pace to get the various arrangements out the door in time was, somehow less depressing then being in her dorm to witness their arrivals.
"Blah," she thought to herself. "Just a commercial holiday, nothing more than an excuse to charge a fortune for roses and for people to get laid." Not that either concept was so bad, she just hated being reminded that she was a junior in college, and frightfully unattached.
Her mind drifted back to her freshman year, and the excitement she had had of being free from her parent's house, free from her oppressive High School, free to date whomever she wanted. She could be a lesbian in peace, and surely college would be crawling with potential girl friends. That, however, had remained an adolescent pipe dream.
There were plenty of girls who wanted to hook up with a woman, experiment, see what it was like, impress their boyfriends, or get back at them. But very few who wanted any more than just a story to tell. That had been great at first. No attachments, no one to try and tell her how to live her life, like she saw so many couples doing. But the thrill had quickly faded, and she had really started to worry that she wouldn't find a girl she could just be herself with, someone who thought of her as a person rather than an adventure.
The little brass bell above the front door rang for the umpteenth time that day and Chloe looked up to see Miranda, a regular, standing in front of her.
"Hey there," Miranda said in her cool self assured voice. "You have time to help me today? I have to pick out something special."
"Oh yeah, all the time in the world," Chloe said sarcastically as she motioned around the store. Julia ran to answer the phone, as it officially left its hook, in punctuation of her remark.
"C'mon, you can spare a few minutes for me, can't you?" Miranda pleaded affectionately in response.
Chloe nearly melted at the sight. Miranda's big brown eyes tugged at her, her body went numb as she struggled to keep from looking like an idiot.
In the 8 months she had spent working at the shop, Chloe had seen quite a bit of Miranda. A graduate student in Psychology they had shared many interesting conversations and Chloe had come to look forward to Miranda's visits with eager anticipation. Miranda was everything she dreamed about in girl. Exuding confidence and intelligence, yet with none of the false airs of snobbery or superiority that many of the Grad students she knew exhibited. She was a fantastic listener, and always took a genuine interest in Chloe, advising her on which Professor's to avoid and who gave the best recommendations. Chloe realized that Miranda could be aware of her attraction to her, but she never confronted her on it, or did anything to make her feel uncomfortable about it. She took pretty much everything in stride, just another reason for Chloe to adore her.
Looking at her now, her long wavy brown hair framing her face, the sweater she wore subtly outlining the curve of her breasts, Chloe could not resist smiling uncontrollably at the chance to spend even a few moments with her.
"Oh, I suppose so," Chloe replied dramatically, rolling her eyes all the while beaming with excitement.
"Why thank you," Miranda laughed playing along with the scene. "Now c'mere and help me, I have a very special guest coming over this evening."
Chloe walked from behind the counter, to the array of baskets and displays that filled the shop. Flooded with disappointment and curiosity, Chloe's mind brimmed with questions about Miranda's date.
Mustering up some courage, she feigned excitement as she posed her question. "So who's the special guy, I never heard you mention anyone, hmm?"
"I know, it's someone new. Well, not really new, we've been friends for awhile, but tonight is a first," Miranda, replied, excitement dripping from her voice. "That's why you have to help me pick out something spectacular, I want everything to be perfect."
"I don't want to burst your bubble Miranda," Chloe said hesitantly. "But guys aren't really big fans of flowers."
"Oh, I know," she replied totally nonplussed. "It's more for me, really, to set the stage. I like to have an inspiring environment."
Chloe's heart dropped into her stomach at Miranda's words. They had conveniently managed to avoid the topic of their love lives on most of Miranda's visits. While she was pleased that Miranda valued her opinion for what was obviously such an important night, the idea of helping her seduce someone rumpled quite a few of her feathers.
Miranda looked at her sweetly, and, as if sensing the tension growing within her, reached out and gently rubbed Chloe's arm. "You're a very creative girl, that's why I need your help. I wouldn't trust just anyone with something so important."
Her frustration easing under the delicate caress of Miranda's hand and the affection in her voice, Chloe's body filled with warmth as she looked into the other girl's expectant eyes.
Determined to pick out only the best for Miranda, she began combing through batches of red long stem roses as she threw herself into the task. Next she poured over the white roses, star-gazer lilies, and white lisianthus selecting the best she could find for the floral arrangements. Finally, she set about collecting petals from fresh roses, and then enhancing them with silk ones, picking out scented and tea light candles all to accent the beauty of the flowers; and Miranda's own beauty, she thought surreptitiously to herself.
She packed what she could for her, as she gave Miranda instructions on how to care for the roses. There was too much for her to take with her, though, and the floral arrangements still had to be prepared for her.
"Ok, someone will drop the rest off tonight, by 7. Is that ok with you?" Chloe asked.
"Great, that's perfect," Miranda replied with a quizzical smile. Thank you for all your help Chloe, and have a Happy Valentine's Day."
"You too," Chloe answered, the words burning her throat as she spoke them.
Chloe watched her as Miranda turned and left the shop, her packages securely in tow, wondering jealously what exactly the would night would bring for her.
The phone screamed loudly in her ears, as it demanded attention. Chloe reached out for it instinctively allowing herself to once again get swept up in the hectic speed of the day, and erase thoughts of Miranda from her mind.
Gathering her things to go home, Chloe spotted Julia coming in her direction, as she reached back to slide on her coat. It was 6 o'clock and she was ready to drop after the day she had had.
"Chloe, could you do me a huge favor?" Julia asked nearly out of breath. "I forgot to send Miranda's delivery out with Dave, and I'm supposed to meet my husband for dinner on the other side of town. Her apartment is on the way back to campus and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind dropping it off for me. I'd really appreciate it."
Chloe felt sick as she listened to Julia's request. "Of course, no problem," she answered without thinking. Her mind buzzed with a mixture of excitement and dread.
Chloe packed the delivery in her car and studied the card with Miranda's address on it. 1274 Nyack Street it read in Julia's bubbly script. The letters seemed to leap up at her as she considered the best route to Miranda's house. Tucking the card in her pocket, she climbed into the driver's seat and turned the ignition. Roaring to life, the old Volvo seemed much more anxious to get under way then she was.
It was a 10-minute drive to Miranda's and Chloe restlessly searched the radio for something to listen to. Each station seemed to be playing their sappiest tunes, and she groaned painfully when she heard WFNJ announce it's upcoming Michael Bolton hour.
Finding a spot on the street directly across from Miranda's door, Chloe killed the engine and sat in silence for a minute, afraid to face Miranda, afraid her jealousy would show. She walked slowly, taking careful steps, carrying one of the vases, while the other one waited in the car. Ringing the doorbell, she immediately turned around so she wouldn't have to face Miranda when she opened the door.
"This is stupid," she thought to herself. "Miranda is my friend, why am I acting like an infant?"
Turning back around, Miranda appeared before her, in the open doorway. Standing just slightly shorter than she, Chloe had to muster every ounce of energy she had to keep from dropping the flowers. She looked amazing, although she was dressed exactly as she had been that afternoon, she seemed to radiate in a way she had never noticed before. Her perfume wafted across the entryway, and Chloe could feel her cheeks go red, as she found herself staring once again at the outline of her shapely breasts. Mesmerized by the waves of brown hair that danced teasingly across them.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Miranda asked with a wide smile.
Stammering for composure Chloe responded quickly, "Julia forgot to send your things with Dave, so she asked me to drop them off on my way home. I hope you don't mind."
Chloe berated herself silently as soon as she finished her sentence. "I sound like an idiot, why did I say that for?"
"Of course I don't mind," Miranda replied, ignoring the awkwardness Chloe was stewing in. "I'm glad you're here, I could use some company. Why don't you come in and have a glass of wine with me, you must be exhausted."
