there were plenty of ups and downs owning a small flower shop out in the middle of a bustling city. and all your life, you've had this curiosity for flowers, wanting to know everything about them.

through all your struggles trying to manage such a small business, there was always one customer that came and went—jay. every once in a while, he'd buy a bouquet of flowers. so, like any other person would, you assumed he had a significant other. however, every time he would come, you would strike up a conversation with him. although you didn't know much about him, you couldn't help but wonder what kind of person he was beneath that professional exterior of his.

he was like a flower—beautiful on the outside, but get too close and it might just fall apart.

the bell rang and the door swung open, snapping you out of your trance. hazily, you shifted your gaze from the ray of sunlight that shone through your window to your first customer of the day. jay picked out a few flowers but, unusually, they weren't his usual purchase. walking over to the checkout counter where you stood, he paid for the bouquet and handed it to you.

"it's a gift," he said, and left before you could say anything more. the bell rang once more, and he was gone. you looked down at the bouquet of roses in your hands—three red roses. being the flower expert you were, you stopped for a moment. you chuckled softly, staring out the window. it must've been a coincidence.

after all, a bouquet of three roses meant "i love you."

the next day, he came back. and this time, it wasn't to buy anything.

"you do know tha-" you started, but not before he cut you off.

"oh, i know. i know the roses mean 'i love you.'" he replied, as if that were the most normal thing he could say at that exact moment.

"but don't you have a..." you trailed off, still trying to process what he just said.

"a, what? if you're wondering, i'm not dating anyone at the moment. i'd love to date you though, if you wouldn't mind."