Zayn POV

I just had this urge with her. This urge to sit and listen to her speak for hours. She had a flat American accent, sometimes her words were a little short or sloppy with that Northern accent coming up. I think it was just her voice in general, that low and sultry voice. She sounded like a 1940's jazz lounge singer. Words just slipped off her tongue like they were meant to be there.

I watched her work, braiding the satin ribbon then wrapping it, pinning it with pearl pins. Then spraying everything with glitter spray, making jokes that the glitter from the spray has probably coated her lungs.

The door jingled quite a few times, Nora running up each time to greet a potential customer. Each time she stayed up varied, someone wanted an arrangement for a new baby, a few people just wanted plants, a wedding order for a frantic bride whose florist canceled on her last minute and now she needed seven bouquets, one bride bouquet, and twenty boutonniere by next Friday. Nora accepted as she came downstairs looking defeated.

“Why did you say yes then?” I ask as I look at the plans for what the bride had originally intended.

“Because I'm a sucker for a good romance.” She laughs. “And because the poor bride was frantic, her florist all the sudden has to go out of town, I was the third florist she'd seen today and everyone was refusing her. So Nora to the rescue!” She smiles.

“So how many weddings do you have for next week then?” She sits and pulls out her planner, counting.

“Looks like, nine now.” Her eyes suddenly wide. “But that's how we make money, weddings pay really well and I can have Shelby and Julie work extra to make up for it. Their table decorations can be arranged in advance as well as the boutonniere's. I'll probably come in on Sunday when the shop is closed.” She shrugs her shoulders like its nothing.

“When do you have fun?”

“When I go to sleep. That is the best part of my day.” Maybe I'll be the best part of her day, the more I learn of Nora, the better she is. This woman I made up in my head she's nothing compared to this woman sitting across from me, she's better. “Don't you have things to do Zayn? What do you do all day?”

“Um, nothing?” I laugh. “I don't know. I can do whatever I want but I usually come here for lunch, someone has to make sure you eat. And then just wonder around the city.”

“I eat! I'm Italian, my Nonna cooks like mad for me when I get home.” She promises me. I've learned that she's Italian, that she lives with her mom and grandma. I think it's kind of cool that she's so close with them. I've also learned she doesn't speak French at all, nor does she like dogs. But it's replaced with Italian and cats so that works for me, I prefer cats to dogs as well.

The door rings again and Nora turns her attention to the video screens. “It's Julie.” I notice her relax just a little bit, not rushing to walk up the steps. I watch on the screen as the middle aged woman walks to the back and down the steps.

“Nora! I'm here!” She speaks before we can see her. “Oh, and who might you be?” She asks once she can see us, turns her head so she doesn't hit it on the beam at the bottom of the step.

“Julie, this is Zayn, Zayn this is Julie. He's a friend.” She smiles as I wave my hand.

“Hello.” She smiles at me as she puts her bag down and walks towards Nora, I can't help but smile when I notice her eye gestures to Nora. I can only assume what they're thinking. I listen quietly while they talk about the wedding plans and how this next week they'll be putting in long hours. Julie has offered to come in later on Thursday to help.

“Okay, well the deliveries are all set up for Max to take out, brides are expecting them as usual. You can start cutting for the boutonnieres, all the pictures and plans are in the folders for next week. And call me if you need anything. I'll probably be in for the morning just to figure some things out.” I watch as Nora stands and stretches, I can't see how she sits on those stools all day, her back must be killing her. “I'll see you tomorrow Julie.” She doesn't look at me but walks towards the steps to take off her sweater, turning around to catch my eye. “You can stay here if you want Zayn.” She laughs a little to her self as I quickly stand to join her.

“Nice meeting you Julie.” She smiles at me and sits at Nora's stool, pulling on the hanging folders and getting right to work. Nora slips off her jacket, hangs it up, and starts walking up the steps to the warmer air. Once we reach the top I see her walk to the coolers, searching for something. “What are you doing?” Her erratic behavior makes me laugh.

“Well Nonna really misses the flower shop so everyday I check to see if the flowers are on their last leg and take them to her. Most of the time they're always mismatched and wilty but sometimes I get brides that cancel their orders, or funeral arrangements with the wrong address and so I can take home whole bouquets of roses and it makes her day.” The sudden thought of her on the train with those red roses, it all clicks. She probably didn't get those from someone, she was bringing them to someone. I watch as she pulls from almost every bucket, a massive selection, wrapping them in ribbon.

“So what are you doing now?” God I probably sound like an idiot. Someone desperate for her attention. I just want more of her, it's pathetic quite frankly.

“Well I thought we were getting lunch.” I relax, at least she remembered. “That not the case anymore?”

“Yeah.” I sound super excited, like little kid excited for presents excited. Jesus I'm not cool and collected at all. Nora just laughs and pulls her bag out from the drawer, taking it over her shoulder.

“No need to get that excited.” She teases and clutches her flowers, walking past me. “Where are we going?” I slip my sunglasses on as the sun hits our faces. I haven't seen Nora anywhere else but in the flower shop working her ass off and on the subway reading.

“I don't know, I was thinking about that one place.” I try to think quickly but I just can't. She's distracting. The way her hips sway slightly back and forth, the way the sun hits her hair and lightens it, how the breeze catches it and makes it move.

“That sounds like a great place. Are you going to keep walking behind me or?” She looks over her shoulder and I realize how creepy I'm acting. It's like I've forgotten how to do anything like this I swear.

“Right, sorry.” I step quickly and join her.

“So this place you want to go to?” She lingers as we stop at the crosswalk, waiting for it to change. You can tell it's Friday and the traffic has already has picked up, people are ready for the weekend.

“I don't know, maybe sushi?” I suggest and quickly change my mind when Nora's face changes into disgust.

“No thanks.” She bites her lips to hide her smile. “Not my thing.” The light switches and we walk with the small crowd that has gathered as I try to search my brain for something to eat. I make a mental note to never bring up sushi again. “How about cheeseburgers?” It catches me off guard, she's all about this homemade Italian food.

“Cheeseburgers?” I ask for clarification.

“Yeah, just like some bar food, greasy diner food. Something like that.” She takes a step and is suddenly walking backwards in front of me. I'm more nervous for her to walk then I think she is. She doesn't strike me as someone who wants a greasy cheeseburger, she looks like someone who wants a salad.

“I can work with that.” I shake my head. “Could you please turn around? You're making me nervous, like your going to trip or something.” I ask her as nicely as I can.

“Oh Zayn, I'm making you nervous? Well I guess.” She turns and moves to the side to join me. “Their is a diner just on the next block.” She points but the taller buildings block my view. We stop at another crosswalk and wait. Someone bumps into me and I run into Nora slightly, our fingers brush and it's almost like electric. Nerves travel all the way up to my shoulders.

“Sorry.” I'm standing closer to her so I almost whisper in her ear, her neck is something beautiful. It's an odd thing to notice but the muscles in her neck when she turns away and leans slightly away from me are just something to notice.

Instead of speaking she looks up at me, I'm only slightly taller then she is and she elbows me back. “Lights changed.” She starts walking, not waiting for me to catch up. I don't even know how to read her, she's all over the place, she's one thing then another, she's beautiful.

Notes

Hey everyone!! Thank you all so much for reading, voting, subscribing, and commenting this week! It's been a long one for me!!

A little Zayn and Nora interaction outside of the flower shop! We knew they'd get there sometime, right? Everyone liking it so far? :)

Thanks for being awesome!

xoxox