The Flower Shop Vampyre

Chapter 2: Sweet Dreams and Butterflies

Liliana's POV

Liliana quickly pulled down the door's roller shade and turned out the remaining lights. Then, tugging on the door, she made one last check that the lock was engaged. How the previous customer had gotten in was still baffling her.

The small flower shop had been a dream of her best friend for as long as she could remember. After their high school graduation ceremony, Aubrey had loaded Liliana into her family's station wagon and driven down to what was then a rundown section of Alexandria. Pulling to the curb at the corner of King and N West Street, the vehicle stopped in front of a tired brick building with a 'for sale' sign propped in the front window.

"Liliana, I'm not like you. College is just not my thing. I've been working odd jobs since middle school. There's enough in my savings account for a down payment on this shop. Dad said he will go with me to the bank in the morning. I'm going to start a flower business just like I've always wanted."

Liliana looked at the small two-story brick building in amazement.

"Oh my gosh. You're really gonna do this! You know I'll help you in any way I can."

Her best friend had gotten out of the car and walked over to the rundown facade. Her face gleamed.

"Just imagine…my own shop."

***

Slowly walking up the back stairs leading to the spacious apartment on the upper floor, Liliana smiled, thinking about all that had changed since that day nearly ten years ago. Liliana had gone on to college and then to law school. Graduating first in her class because being a lawyer was all she had ever wanted to do.

Then the clerkship with Judge Greene in Baltimore. The position had been highly coveted and usually awarded to one of the best students. There she had spent three years hustling between the district courthouse and the cramped offices of the esteemed public defender. When it was all over, the reputable law firm of Howell & Howell had quickly extended an offer.

Aubrey had been thrilled about her return to the Washington D.C. area.

"I can't believe they have offered you a junior partnership. Liliana, this is incredible. Their offices are right down on the waterfront in the historic district. Even more perfect is you can rent the apartment above the shop until you find something of your own. The wooden floors were just refinished, and it has lots of light."

Aubrey had been right. The flat was within walking distance of her new office and a plethora of boutique shops. Over the past years, the once-shabby cobbled street had been transformed into a vibrant, fashionable community. Young professionals, such as herself, were clamoring to live in the neighborhood.

However, one thing that had seemed improbable was that Liliana was still single. Initially, there had been a string of invitations from eligible men living nearby. For the most part, the dates had been pleasant, with a few progressing onto a second. In the end, though, most had only been looking for an uncommitted dalliance. Something that was of little interest to Liliana. She just knew a soul-mate was searching for her somewhere out there.

Reaching into the smock's front pocket for a small silver keyring, her fingers again came in contact with the hard plastic card bearing the name Darick Xander. Exhaling audibly, she dropped the card on the small entry table next to a few pieces of unopened mail. Her thoughts were still in a jumble from the charged, erotic interaction with the man. What in the world had she been thinking??

Moving into the main bedroom, she quickly stripped down. While slipping on a plush cashmere robe, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. Liliana couldn't be measured by the standard of beauty that included long limbs and blond hair. Instead, she was exotic in her looks.

Thick black hair fell in waves around a heart-shaped face. One filled with dark chocolate eyes and a full mouth. Her petite frame was curvaceous and wrapped in creamy translucence.

She frowned and wondered about the kind of women Darick Xander dated. Were they models? Or daughters of wealthy aristocrats?

The one thing she did know was that the man had made her insides fill with a million fluttering wings. Not a confused, scared sensation. Instead, a wonderfully powerful feeling of belonging. The sense of possibly finding that one special person.

"This is crazy. I know nothing about this guy. What is wrong with me? These are crazy romantic notions running wild."

Walking into the small kitchen, she carried the black card with her and let out a champagne giggle.

"But I do have to call him to let him know he left his card!"

Just then, an odd fluttering noise sounded at the kitchen window. Liliana lifted the sash and looked outside.

"I'm going to have to call the building's pest control company. Maybe there's some kind of a nest on the fire escape."

***

The following day dawned brightly. Spring was beginning to show signs outside. The blooming fruit trees lining King St were tinged with redbuds, and tiny snowdrop bulbs were starting to emerge. Liliana picked up the phone and dialed Aubrey.

"Morning, new momma. Is it still a good time for me to stop by for coffee this morning? I need to go over all the shop records from Saturday."

Hanging the phone up, the two friends agreed on 9 a.m. coffee at Aubrey's home. The couple had moved into Tom's townhouse shortly before their wedding. It was within jogging distance, and Liliana needed to clear her head.

Her night's sleep had been fraught with vivid, erotic images. She had lost count of how many times she turned and twisted between the sheets, waking in a cold sweat. Each time waking with a burning sensation upon her throat. The man in the dream had bent to kiss the beating pulse at her neck. A deep erotic touch that countered the vulnerability of tipping her head back and revealing the sensual skin under her chin.

Stopping in front of a free-standing brick home, Liliana leaned over onto her knees and shook her head.

"This has to stop."

Just then, the front door opened, and out bounded Aubrey. Her hair was mussed from a sleepless night with a newborn, and fuzzy pink slippers covered her feet.

"I'm so glad you're here. I was just watching the news getting really depressed. There's all this stuff about gang violence in DC being back on the rise."

Tugging Liliana into the house, the two friends leaned against each other and hugged.

"Where is that little bundle of cuteness? I know she must be something special to keep her momma out of the flower shop."

***

Later, Aubrey leaned over and smiled at her friend. The two had spent the last hour catching up on the previous days' shop orders.

"What's up?"

Sitting back slightly, Liliana laughed.

"Is it that apparent? Last night, the last customer to come into the shop left this."

She pulled the credit card from her jacket and slid it across to her friend.

"He was incredibly handsome. And from the looks of it, also incredibly wealthy. I'm shocked to tell you that we flirted for a hot minute. Maybe it was just a bit of fun for him; however, I can't help thinking that it was something a bit more. He had this look in his eyes like he has been looking for me forever. Then he ran his fingertip down my neck."

Dropping back against the floral chair, Aubrey clapped her hands together in front of her mouth in amazement.

"He did what? Liliana, I can't believe what I'm hearing. So, you are going to call and meet him to return his credit card. Right!?"

The two women looked at each other. Aubrey had always been the one to be a little more daring. The fact that Liliana was still talking about this man half a day after having him come into the flower shop said way more than words. However, something was troubling Liliana. She couldn't shake the feeling that all was not quite right with the situation.

"What if he has a girlfriend somewhere? He said he was new into town, which means he has come from somewhere. What if at that somewhere there is a steady girlfriend. That just does not sit well with me."

Aubrey glared over the rim over her coffee cup and looked hard at her still single friend.

"Listen, tell you what. Go into the shop today. Think about all the thousand and one excuses to not call the guy. Then remind yourself that he caused you to get butterflies in your chest. Butterflies!! Tell me who last did that to you?"