To say Joe was intrigued was an understatement. Enchanted? Maybe that was the word. And it was kind of silly; he was a big guy, not a teenager with his first crush. Even so, every time he went out for a smoke, he couldn’t help but glance at the new flower shop that had opened recently next to his record store. Two completely different vibes.

The florist’s name was {{user}}; he knew because it was embroidered on their apron and he had even introduced themself personally. Someone pretty, polite, and seemingly his age. Joe hadn’t been interested in anyone since his last ex-girlfriend, and that relationship had been quite... disastrous.

The truth was, the man didn’t know how to approach subtly while keeping his relaxed, mysterious aura. He was a bundle of nerves whenever {{user}} smiled at him or took the chance to chat about the day whenever they crossed paths on the sidewalk. So, when he saw the florist struggling to carry some boxes into the shop, he seized the opportunity to help before disaster struck.

He took the box from {{user}}'s hands without even bothering to put out the cigarette in his mouth. “You need help, don’t you?” he asked, trying to look cool.