The Rhythm of My Heart (5 page)

The blonde gives a small grin. “Well, who are the flowers for? Your wife… girlfriend? What’s the occasion?” she enquires.

“Actually, they’re for someone I just met. We’re going out on our first date tomorrow and I thought flowers would a nice gesture,” I respond.

“Well, if that’s the case you want something that’s beautiful and says, ‘hey, I’m interested in you’ without going straight for the whole romance bit. So I would definitely go for a mixed bouquet full of color,” she announces.

I’m kind of stunned with her assessment but I nod and say, “Okay then, a bright mixed bouquet it is. Do you deliver?”

The woman picks out a huge bouquet with almost all the colors of the rainbow in it. She heads to a counter covered in tissue paper and ribbons in every color, displayed on several shelves. Behind her, there are glass and ceramic vases in different shapes and sizes. “We do deliver; however, the prices vary on distance,” she says, as she starts to wrap the bouquet. “There are the cards to write your message on” she says, as she points to a display of small cards. I pick out a pale blue card and envelope. I write Grace a message then push it across the counter.

“What address and name are these for?” the woman asks as she finishes with the flowers. “They need to go to Rivers Auto Repairs and they’re for Grace Rivers,” I reply. Blondie stops still and looks down at the card then at me; it’s as though she is trying to get inside my head. “Is there a problem?” I ask her.

A smile forms on her lips and she tilts her head to the side. “Nope, no problem, but you should know that if you really want to win her over, you should send
yellow roses.
They’re her absolute favorite!”

I’m taken aback by her suggestion. “Oh, does she get flowers sent to her a lot? Is that how you know what she likes?”
This is probably a dumb idea if she’s always getting flowers. Maybe I should just forget about them and wait until tomorrow
. My thoughts are interrupted by a small giggle.

“You know, I don’t think I have
ever
delivered flowers to Gracie before, and I mean
ever.
Considering she has been my best friend since the dawn of time, I have a fairly good idea what her favorite flowers are. I’m Ashley by the way and you are?” she holds out her hand.

“Ah, I’m Cole; it’s nice to meet you,” I reply in a baffled tone, I pause for a moment then shake my head. “Sorry, it’s just completely weird that of all the florists I could have walked into, I come into Grace’s best friend’s shop. It’s just uncanny.”

Ashley looks at me thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t say weird at all; I’d say this is
fate.
” She’s smiling warmly at me then continues, “Okay, Cole, what do you want to do? Do you want to stick with the mixed bouquet or do you want to impress the hell out of her and go for the yellow roses?”

I smile. “Without a doubt, let’s go for impressing the hell out of her? Make it two dozen yellow roses, and will you put them in one of your vases? That way she has one at work in the future.”

Ashley is showing off her pearly white teeth now. “For the future, huh? That I can do; I’ll even deliver them personally
and
for free just to see the look on her face.” She giggles again.

I simply say, “Thanks.”

“So, you two are going out tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m taking her to lunch. I actually asked her to dinner tonight but she said she already has plans, so tomorrow it is.” I shrug and I can feel the grin forming on my lips.

“Well, I must apologize then.
I’m
her plans for tonight,” Ashley informs me. “Girls’ night out, you know… Actually, Gracie and I are going to our favorite place… Pitch and Tone, do you know it?”

I have heard of it but I’ve never been there. From what I know, it’s a karaoke bar or something, not really my kind of place. “Yeah, I know where it is; it’s the karaoke place isn’t it?” I ask.

Ashley looks a little horrified. “No! It’s a club, just like any other club with a bar and dancing, but the dancing doesn’t start until after eleven because from seven they have open mic and anyone can perform. It’s the perfect combination for a night out,” she says, passionately. “Anyway,” she draws out the word, “why don’t you stop by; you know… Surprise Gracie? It will be like a prelude to your lunch tomorrow.”

Hmmm, that sounds like a great idea. I wonder if I can get Sam to come with me.
“What time do you usually get there?” I ask Ashley.

“We’ll be there at seven. We know the owners so our table is reserved. You have to be there early to sign in if you’re performing.”

Now I’m wondering if Grace gets up and performs; so I just ask, “So, do you and Grace perform, Ashley?” She giggles.

“I always sing when we go, but you won’t
ever
see Gracie up on stage. I haven’t heard her sing seriously, since we were little heard her sing; it’s just not her thing, but she loves the place anyway.”

I get out my credit card and hand it to Ashley. “Well, it sounds like fun; I guess I might see you tonight then.”

She finishes taking my payment, hands me back my card, and smiles at me. “Excellent! Well, it was great to meet you, Cole. I’ll be sure to get your flowers straight over to Gracie; she will absolutely love them.”

“Thanks, Ashley. It was great meeting you too, and thanks for the tip about the roses… and tonight. I’ll catch you later,” I say as I leave her shop.

Fate. Yep, that was definitely fate. I was wrong before about how this day couldn’t get any better. After meeting Grace’s best friend, this could possibly become one of the
best
days I’ve had in a very long time.

Chapter 5

Grace….

The morning flew by and as I’m getting ready to go to lunch, a familiar van pulling up out front catches my eye. A grin forms on my lips as my best friend Ashley gets out and walks around to the side door of her florist delivery van. I move toward the door to greet her but come to an abrupt halt when she turns around with a huge vase full of bright yellow roses.
Oh, My God! Yellow roses are my absolute favorite
. Ashley closes the van and starts walking toward the office door where I’m standing; she has a shit-eating grin on her face that overtakes her features when she sees me.

“You are in soooo much trouble, Grace Rivers!” Ashley says, in mock anger.

I open the door for her and follow her back into the office. “And exactly why am I in trouble?” I enquire as she places the beautiful arrangement on my desk. She looks up, eyes bright with excitement. The grin is still plastered on her face.

“When may I ask, were you going to tell me that you have an
unbelievably
gorgeous piece of ass by the name of Cole after you?”
Wow, just…Wow! Cole sent me flowers, my favorite flowers.

I give her a sly smirk over my shoulder as I lean in to inhale the divine scent drifting off the roses. “Well, considering I have only seen him twice, once on Monday when Rubes went to the ER where I met him. Then again, this morning when he dropped his car off. I didn’t think it was a big deal. However, since we have a lunch date tomorrow, I would have told you about him when I saw you tonight… I guess he beat me to it,” I sigh. “These are absolutely amazing! Did he choose this himself or did you help him?”

“Yeah, they are amazing. He couldn’t decide what to get and when he said who he wanted them delivered to, I may have suggested that yellow roses were your favorite; so he decided to impress you,” Ashley replies coyly. Then she asks, “So you met him at the hospital? Wait… Why was Rubes in the ER and why didn’t you call me?”

My fingers are gently caressing the gorgeous rose petals as I respond to her question. “Cole was actually the doctor who treated Rubes in the ER. She broke her arm when she fell off a chair at home, but she’s fine. So then Cole called yesterday and I just happened to squeeze his car in today,” I chuckle.

“Wait, he’s a doctor! Jesus, Grace, he’s gorgeous. He seems like a really nice guy and he’s obviously very interested! You may have hit the jackpot with this one!” Ash exclaims. “And of course, I’m glad Rubes is fine,” she says, quickly.

I try to hide the excitement that’s bubbling inside me. “Yes, he’s a doctor, Ash, a
very
sexy doctor, and he’s amazing with Rubes. I really want to get to know him better,” I say, smiling shyly.
God, I want to get to know him better.

“Well then, I expect all the details of tomorrow’s date as soon as you get home. In the meantime, I’ll pick you up at 6:30 and you better have your sexy on… tonight could be your last night as a single woman for a while,” she says, laughing, just as Charlie walks through the door.

“Hey there, Ash. Shit, who bought out the florist?” he remarks sarcastically.

Ashley, sensing Charlie’s obvious enjoyment of the situation, answers before I get a chance, “An extremely sexy doctor seems to have taken a liking to our Gracie here.” I shoot her an annoyed look and she giggles.
These two are going to have a great time at my expense with this whole business with Cole.

Charlie moves to the vase of flowers. “Well, he didn’t hold back did he? Two dozen yellow roses. Impressive,” he says, as he leans in close to the vase. “Awe, there’s even a note! Let’s see what it says.” He chortles as he takes a small envelope from the flowers.

I move quickly and snatch it out of his hands. “God, Charlie, could you be any more immature?” I snap. Then I turn my glaring eyes to Ashley. “You could have told me there was a note! Luckily, I got it from nosey here before he read it!”

Ashley and Charlie start laughing at me, so I lose my patience. “Right, that’s it, get out! Both of you, out!” They just stand there and continue to laugh, so I try to ignore them.

Ashley sighs heavily and heads for the door. “Fine, I’m going. 6:30 Gracie, make sure you’re ready! See you round, Charlie boy!” And she’s gone.

I turn to Charlie, who has calmed down and is watching me. “What?”

He gives a small shake of his head. “Nothing, Gracie. I’ve just never seen you
react
that way over a bunch of flowers; actually, I’ve never seen you get flowers.
Just take it slowly, okay?” I’ve never gotten flowers before, and I probably do have a new look on my face because I’ve never been this excited about a man before.

I give my protective big brother a smile, and try to downplay what I’m feeling. “They’re just flowers, Charlie. There’s nothing to take slow yet. So don’t worry, big brother.” I walk to him and place a small kiss on his cheek. “But thanks for caring.”

Charlie rolls his eyes, muttering, “Right, Gracie, there’s nothing to worry about
at all
.” Then he smiles, and heads back to the workshop.

The second Charlie is out the door, I rip open the little envelope I’m holding
in
a death-like grip.
My
heart swells as I read the elegant script that is Cole’s handwriting.

Grace,

I hope these brighten your day, as much as seeing your smile has brightened mine.

It’s a smile I definitely hope to see a lot more of.

Cole.

Swoon! Could he be any sweeter? Honestly, I just have this feeling about Cole. He makes me feel calm and comfortable when I’m near him, but at the same time, it feels like there is this electric energy sparking between us. And I’ve only been near him twice!

When he asked me to have dinner with him, I felt like breaking out into song and dance. I was ecstatic that he was interested in me. I knew I had plans with Ash tonight and we hadn’t spent time together in a while; so I didn’t want to break them, even though I know Ash would have understood. Coming up with the lunch date for tomorrow was a quick and desperate idea. I just didn’t want to miss an opportunity to get to know Cole better and I couldn’t be more excited that he agreed.

Lunch will keep things casual to start with; I hope it will prove that Cole Tierney is as perfect as he seems.

Ashley and I arrive at Pitch and Tone at 6:45, with plenty of time for Ash to sign up to sing. I’m not one for public performances even though I have a pretty good voice, so I leave the performing to Ashley. She’s great and the audience loves her. I take our usual seats and glance around the club, it’s early but getting busy already. Many regulars perform, but one face stands out as he saunters over to me.