Kurtis glanced at the time stamp on the text one more time before pulling his eyes away from his phone and diverting his attention to his watch.
1:29.
In the morning. When the moon is still high about in the sky, shining its warm gentle light that only manages a slight glow in the darkness.
This was truly an awkward time to meet alone with a woman other than his wife, but he did get permission to. In fact, he was urged to and made to get there on time by Angela the minute he came out of the shower.
Rose got drunk—on quality stuff at least—and fell asleep. Lyra wanted to go to the wholesale flower market to pick out some quality flowers for the store for the winter season.
At exactly half past one, a girl dressed in a black leather jacket and skinny jeans came skipping down the stairs. Kurtis's lips lifted up into a smile at the sight of the casualness of her outfit topped with a pink pompom hat.
In his entire life, he was never accompanied by a girl so late in the night wearing something so simple and doing something other than going for a drink at a nice bar or dancing at the trending nightclub. However, here he was, urged by his wife to spend time with someone else. It was definitely a different change of pace.
"You should cut this old man some slack. Calling last minute to go flower shopping with you at this time is difficult even for me," Kurtis said, rubbing his hands together before getting up and opening the door for the caller.
Lyra offered a sly smile before slipping into the passenger seat. The driver closed the door and made his way back into his seat.
"Well, if Louis who is twice your age can manage to accompany Rose a few times, then you should be able to handle it," the girl said as she buckled up her seatbelt and pointed forward. "Make a right turn at the corner please."
"Well, as fair as that sounds, wouldn't Antoine be the better candidate as he is your boyfriend and also suffering from jet lag?" Kurtis asked as he exaggerated a yawn.
"Yes he would be. But since we would be returning to France in a week, I wanted to spend the time to talk with you. If that's okay…"
Something in Lyra's tone made Kurtis sit a little straighter in his seat.
"Of course, it's okay…"
......
Keeping up with Lyra as she skipped through the crowded flower venue was not a simple task. Every turn could lead to bumping another being or tipping over a flower can. And here he thought the parking was difficult!
He almost lost the girl a few times if not for his height advantage and that pink hat with the brown ball bobbing up and down as she danced away with relative ease and unmatched grace. Truly an experienced florist on the field!
When his sister-in-law did reach her destination, he stood by the sidelines until she called him over for his opinion on the floral selection. After he gave his two cents, he was sent back to stand awkwardly among the bustling mass of people as Lyra conversed with the boss lady.
Kurtis watched as they spared him occasional glances and giggled, most likely talking about him. In what seemed like a good ten minutes, Lyra finally chose to reunite with the idle man and walk back in the direction of the car.
They were parked a little farther away because of the timing, so they had to brave through the cold. Though Kurtis offered to get the car by himself as it would've also been faster by himself, Lyra insisted she go with him to save him from circling backwards. He didn't quite mind the company so he agreed.
Mindful of the girl next to him, he shortened his long strides to match her pace. They walked in silence, but he would sneak periodic glances at her to make sure she was keeping up. Upon noticing her lips turning a little darker purple, he took off his classy brown scarf and draped it over Lyra's exposed neck.
His sister-in-law's eyes enlarged when a sudden warmth unexpectedly engulfed her. Putting her hand on the piece of cloth, she could still feel the strong presence of his heat still lingering on the scarf. As the wind blew, a whiff of his cologne mixed with his natural minty scent filled her nostrils in a nostalgic flavor.
She then looked up at the gentleman who halted in his tracks after noticing she stopped walking.
"I only wear it for fashion," he said and winked before shoving his hands into his pockets and continuing forward.
1:29.
In the morning. When the moon is still high about in the sky, shining its warm gentle light that only manages a slight glow in the darkness.
This was truly an awkward time to meet alone with a woman other than his wife, but he did get permission to. In fact, he was urged to and made to get there on time by Angela the minute he came out of the shower.
Rose got drunk—on quality stuff at least—and fell asleep. Lyra wanted to go to the wholesale flower market to pick out some quality flowers for the store for the winter season.
At exactly half past one, a girl dressed in a black leather jacket and skinny jeans came skipping down the stairs. Kurtis's lips lifted up into a smile at the sight of the casualness of her outfit topped with a pink pompom hat.
In his entire life, he was never accompanied by a girl so late in the night wearing something so simple and doing something other than going for a drink at a nice bar or dancing at the trending nightclub. However, here he was, urged by his wife to spend time with someone else. It was definitely a different change of pace.
"You should cut this old man some slack. Calling last minute to go flower shopping with you at this time is difficult even for me," Kurtis said, rubbing his hands together before getting up and opening the door for the caller.
Lyra offered a sly smile before slipping into the passenger seat. The driver closed the door and made his way back into his seat.
"Well, if Louis who is twice your age can manage to accompany Rose a few times, then you should be able to handle it," the girl said as she buckled up her seatbelt and pointed forward. "Make a right turn at the corner please."
"Well, as fair as that sounds, wouldn't Antoine be the better candidate as he is your boyfriend and also suffering from jet lag?" Kurtis asked as he exaggerated a yawn.
"Yes he would be. But since we would be returning to France in a week, I wanted to spend the time to talk with you. If that's okay…"
Something in Lyra's tone made Kurtis sit a little straighter in his seat.
"Of course, it's okay…"
......
Keeping up with Lyra as she skipped through the crowded flower venue was not a simple task. Every turn could lead to bumping another being or tipping over a flower can. And here he thought the parking was difficult!
He almost lost the girl a few times if not for his height advantage and that pink hat with the brown ball bobbing up and down as she danced away with relative ease and unmatched grace. Truly an experienced florist on the field!
When his sister-in-law did reach her destination, he stood by the sidelines until she called him over for his opinion on the floral selection. After he gave his two cents, he was sent back to stand awkwardly among the bustling mass of people as Lyra conversed with the boss lady.
Kurtis watched as they spared him occasional glances and giggled, most likely talking about him. In what seemed like a good ten minutes, Lyra finally chose to reunite with the idle man and walk back in the direction of the car.
They were parked a little farther away because of the timing, so they had to brave through the cold. Though Kurtis offered to get the car by himself as it would've also been faster by himself, Lyra insisted she go with him to save him from circling backwards. He didn't quite mind the company so he agreed.
Mindful of the girl next to him, he shortened his long strides to match her pace. They walked in silence, but he would sneak periodic glances at her to make sure she was keeping up. Upon noticing her lips turning a little darker purple, he took off his classy brown scarf and draped it over Lyra's exposed neck.
His sister-in-law's eyes enlarged when a sudden warmth unexpectedly engulfed her. Putting her hand on the piece of cloth, she could still feel the strong presence of his heat still lingering on the scarf. As the wind blew, a whiff of his cologne mixed with his natural minty scent filled her nostrils in a nostalgic flavor.
She then looked up at the gentleman who halted in his tracks after noticing she stopped walking.
"I only wear it for fashion," he said and winked before shoving his hands into his pockets and continuing forward.
