Unexpected Allies
1266 Words
The florist's shop was exactly as pretentious as Emily had expected, all crystal vases and exotic blooms with names she couldn't pronounce.
What she hadn't expected was how thoroughly prepared Michael would be.
"The mother of the bride prefers garden roses, particularly David Austin varieties," he was explaining to the florist, a willowy woman named Celeste.
"But we need to balance that with my father's preference for classic arrangements."
Emily stood slightly behind him, trying not to look as impressed as she felt.
Not only had he remembered every detail from her hurried email, but he'd somehow managed to translate her mother's vague descriptions into actual flower terminology.
"Perhaps something like this?"
Celeste presented a stunning arrangement of blush-colored roses mixed with delicate white flowers.
"The David Austin Juliet roses provide the romantic garden feel, while the structure maintains classic elegance."
"What do you think?"
Michael turned to Emily, genuinely seeking her opinion.
She stepped forward to examine the arrangement more closely.
"The color is perfect—it's exactly what Mom described. But maybe with a few more of those white flowers? She loves anything that looks slightly wild."
"The anemones?" Celeste suggested.
"We could add more of those, keep them slightly longer in the arrangement to create that natural, cascading effect."
"Yes," Emily and Michael said simultaneously, then glanced at each other in surprise.
An hour later, they emerged from the shop with wedding flowers fully arranged and a strange new understanding between them.
The late September sun was still warm, casting long shadows across the sidewalk.
"Thank you," Emily said as they walked toward where Michael had parked.
"You made that way less painful than it could have been."
"I pay attention to details. It's—"
"Part of your job," she finished, smiling slightly.
"Yes, you've mentioned that."
He shot her a look that might have been amused.
"Actually, I was going to say it's a habit I picked up from my mother. She was an event planner. Every detail mattered."
Emily absorbed this rare personal detail about his mother, adding it to the small collection she'd gathered since Sarah's accident two weeks ago.
"Is that why you're so good at all this wedding stuff?"
"I helped with a few of her events."
He unlocked his car but didn't get in.
"There's a coffee place around the corner that makes decent espresso. Want to go over the rest of the wedding details while we're both free?"
Emily checked her watch.
It was only 3:30, and she'd taken the whole afternoon off anyway.
"Sure, why not?"
The coffee shop was cozy, with worn leather armchairs and the smell of fresh-baked cookies in the air.
Once they were settled with their drinks—another perfect guess on his part—Michael pulled out a sleek leather portfolio.
"Dad asked me to look over the catering contract," he said, spreading out several papers.
"There are a few concerns."
Emily leaned forward to look at the highlighted sections, acutely aware of how close this brought them.
He smelled like that same expensive cologne, mixed now with coffee and something uniquely him.
"The pricing seems high," she noted, focusing on the papers.
"It's not just that. Look at the cancellation clause."
Their heads bent together over the contract, they spent the next hour dissecting every detail.
Emily found herself impressed yet again by his thoroughness, and even more surprised by how easily they worked together.
"Oh, speaking of contracts," Michael said as they wrapped up, "how's the Richardson Group proposal coming along?"
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that."
Emily pulled out her own laptop.
"We've identified some potential green spaces in their newest development, but the implementation costs are higher than they might like."
Michael shifted his chair closer to see her screen, his shoulder brushing hers.
"Show me."
She walked him through the proposals, trying to ignore how natural it felt to work side by side like this.
How his occasional questions were thoughtful and incisive.
How he smelled really, really good—
"Emily?"
She blinked, realizing she'd missed his last comment.
"Sorry, what?"
"I said, what if we positioned the higher initial costs against long-term savings?"
He was looking at her with an odd expression.
"Are you okay? You seemed..."
"Fine! Just... thinking about Mom. She has her follow-up appointment tomorrow."
His expression softened.
"Dad mentioned that. He's taking the morning off to take her."
"I know. I just wish I could be there, but I have that presentation for Andrea."
"I could go," Michael offered.
"To the appointment. I have a light morning, and it would make Dad feel better to have someone else there."
Emily stared at him. "You'd do that?"
"Of course." He looked almost offended.
"Sarah's going to be my stepmother. And after everything with my mom..."
He trailed off, then cleared his throat.
"Besides, I can work remotely while they're with the doctor."
"Thank you," Emily said softly. "That would... that would mean a lot."
He nodded, turning back to her laptop.
"Now, about these implementation costs..."
They worked until the coffee shop started closing up, the autumn evening darkening outside the windows.
As they walked back to his car, Emily found herself reluctant to end the afternoon.
"Need a ride home?" Michael asked, pulling out his keys.
"Actually, I'm meeting Lisa for dinner. But thanks."
He nodded, then seemed to hesitate.
"Emily, about the Richardson project... would you want to present the environmental aspects yourself? To their board?"
She stopped walking. "What?"
"You know the material better than anyone. It would be more authentic coming from you."
He wasn't quite meeting her eyes.
"If you're interested."
"I... yes, absolutely. But wouldn't that be unusual?"
"A collaboration between firms? Not really. Especially since we're..."
He gestured vaguely between them.
"Family?" she supplied, trying not to smile.
"Something like that."
He finally looked at her directly, and there was something in his expression that made her breath catch.
"I'll set up the meeting. Let me know if Tuesday works?"
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
He got into his car with a final nod, and she watched him drive away before pulling out her phone.
Lisa answered on the first ring.
"Well? How was the flower date?"
"It wasn't a date," Emily protested automatically.
"We were handling wedding details. And work stuff."
"Uh-huh. For four hours?"
"The flowers took forever! And then we had to go over contracts, and the Richardson project..."
"And how many times did you notice how good he smelled?"
Emily felt her face heat up. "I hate you."
"You love me. Now get your confused little self to the restaurant and tell me everything. And I mean everything."
As Emily headed toward the restaurant, her phone buzzed with a text:
Michael: Tuesday at 2pm for Richardson.
I'll send the calendar invite. And Emily?
You did good work today.
She stared at the message, trying to ignore the warm feeling in her chest.
This was Michael.
Annoying, arrogant, insufferable Michael.
Who noticed her coffee preferences.
Who steadied her at the hospital.
Who offered to attend her mother's appointment.
Who thought she should present to the board...
"Oh no," she whispered to herself as realization dawned.
"No, no, no."
Her phone buzzed again:
Lisa: If you're standing there having an emotional crisis about your hot soon-to-be-stepbrother, save it for dinner. I ordered wine.
Emily groaned and picked up her pace.
She definitely needed that wine.
Because this?
This was not supposed to happen.
She was not supposed to be developing feelings for Michael Cooper.
Was she?
- Writer
