Forget Me Not

by Crystal B. Bright

  “My mother is a very good judge of character,” Gideon began. “When she told me I could trust you to help me, I’m sure she suggested it because she knows you’re a good person. I want to know more about the woman my mother says is good people.”

  “Oh.” Janelle lowered her arms.

  “Also, I want to know about the woman who thinks I’m good-looking.”

  * * * *

  Janelle didn’t need to look into a mirror to know that her face had turned the brightest shade of red known to man. Her neck and chest felt hot under her turtleneck, and it had nothing to do with the garment.

  She could only be mad at herself for Gideon’s comment. She had called him good-looking as a way to insult him. Up close, the man had a disarming appearance that matched his charm. Another man would have kicked her out of his store after she’d treated him so deplorably. Gideon wanted to know more about her. To top it all off, he also knew about plants. No way could he be real.

  “Somehow, we started off on the wrong foot.” Gideon smiled.

  All thoughts escaped from Janelle’s head. When she felt her knees shaking, she slammed her legs together, hoping to steady them.

  Gideon continued. “When Victor comes back, would you like to go get some coffee somewhere? I would ask you out to dinner, but I’m going to try to get back up to the hospital to see my brother again.”

  God, Gideon came off as such a gentleman and so genuine, and here she had punished him for circumstances that he hadn’t caused. Thelma had left because business had slowed. Janelle had money problems long before Gideon had gotten there. She still couldn’t figure out if he had been the one to kiss her. Only one way to find out.

  “I, um—” As Janelle started to talk about the contest and coffee, a man walked into the store.

  She stared at him for a bit and recognized him as the customer who had been at her store moments ago. Gideon had given the man an autograph and picture, although he’d looked almost embarrassed to do so. What else could he want? How did he know where to find Gideon?

  “Holy shit!” The man covered his mouth when he looked at Janelle. “Sorry for the language, ma’am.” He turned back to Gideon. “I didn’t believe that girl from the other flower place when she said that you were over here.”

  Great. Janelle would have to remember to kick Penny’s ass when she got back to Flowers Galore.

  “I’m in town to help my mom.” Gideon leaned on the counter.

  “Really? That means you’ll be here for a while?” the customer asked.

  Gideon glanced at Janelle before directing his full energy back to the man in the tight Wolves jersey. “I’m not sure how long.”

  The customer pumped his meaty fist into the air. “Awesome! I’m telling all my boys about this. For now, I’ll get a dozen roses for my girl. No, make that two dozen. Hell, I’ll buy the whole stock. I’m here with Gideon Wells!”

  Gideon held up his hand. “Wait a minute. Didn’t you buy some flowers at Flowers Galore?”

  “Nah, man. As soon as that cute redhead told me where to find you, I bolted and came over here. How many times can I say in my lifetime that I bought flowers from a Super Bowl MVP?”

  Gideon blinked. “I made MVP?”

  “Yeah, didn’t you know?”

  Janelle shook her head. “Great. Like I didn’t have enough problems. Enjoy my business, Mr. Wells. Congrats on making VIP.”

  “That’s MVP, lady,” the customer called after her.

  “Whatever.” She stormed out of the store.

  “Wait,” Gideon said.

  Janelle didn’t. Once she hit the cold, she realized that in her haste to confront the man who had approached her on the wrong day, she had also forgotten to grab her coat. She stepped up her strut to a trot all the way back to her store.

  Once she returned to Flowers Galore, she opened the door and stared at her friend.

  Penny smiled back at Janelle at first. “Did you talk to Gideon? Is he even hotter up close?”

  Janelle ground her teeth together and had to take a couple of deep breaths before she spoke. “You and I need to have a talk.”

  Penny’s smile melted and she stood up straight. “What did I do?”

  “For one thing, did you open the door where I’m keeping my hibiscus?” Janelle pointed to the back of the store.

  “Yeah. I thought I heard a beeping sound coming from inside it. I opened the door to check it. But I know I closed it.”

  Janelle shook her head. “You didn’t.”

  “Sorry.” Penny said it in that annoying, dismissive way teenagers caught doing something they shouldn’t respond to their parents or other authority figures.

  “And thanks to you, you sent business over to Pick ’N Clip. That customer that was in my store said you told him where to find Gideon.”

  Penny shrugged. “Yeah. So?”

  “So while I was there, he came to see Gideon and wanted to buy as many bouquets of roses that he could. Oh, and he said he would tell all his friends that the Gideon Wells is working there. I am so screwed.” Janelle put her hand to her head as she paced around her spot.

  “Oh, no.”

  Janelle didn’t acknowledge her friend. Right now, she had to figure out a way to regain some ground.

  “Look on the bright side.”

  Janelle raised her head. “And what’s that?”

  “There are two great-looking guys here in town now.”

  Damn. The wrong employee had left her store.

  Penny wrapped her arm around Janelle’s shoulders. “This could be a win-win for both of you.”

  Janelle cocked her head as she stared at her delusional friend. “And how’s that? He’s got fame. He has the championship. No one knows me.”

  “But you can capitalize on his fame.” Penny dug into her back pocket and held up her phone. “Got a shot of the two of you talking. I’ll print this and hang it up by the counter. We’ll tell every person who comes in that you are close friends with Gideon Wells.” She waved her phone around. “And here’s the proof.”

  Janelle stared at the shot. Instead of looking like two business people talking, the way Gideon’s head tilted down toward her, and the way she stared at him, it looked more intimate than innocent. In the picture, she stared at him like she wanted to kiss him. Those great eyes of his had her sucked into every word he’d said.

  “No.” She turned away from the picture. “Don’t use that.”

  Penny looked at the shot before she peered at her friend. “Why not? It’s not often we get a celebrity in here. He came here for you. He knew your name. His mother referred him to you. You should use that to your advantage. You think he’s not going to use his celebrity status to get customers over there? Of course he is.”

  “I don’t care about what he does. That’s his business.” Janelle started to head back to her office. “I started this business on my own with the desire to cater to people who love flowers. I’m not going to use someone to get ahead.” She swallowed as she thought about her past. Before Penny could ask her anymore probing questions, she continued. “I’m not using this guy to drum up more business. That would be wrong. We’ll be fine.”

  Penny groaned. “You are such an old lady sometimes. You are so not twenty-seven.”

  “I am a good person.” She ducked into her office and sat behind her small desk that wobbled when touched.

  Penny’s argument had merit, but Janelle couldn’t go down that route. Penny reminded her of Ida. The thought of that sent a shiver up Janelle’s spine and turned her flesh as cold as her refrigerator holding her arrangements.

  Janelle would have to figure out how to gain some customers the honest way…and retain her dignity. Had she actually called Gideon Wells good-looking to his face?

  Chapter 7

  Gideon visited four different greenhouses, nurseries, and other florists to get enough flowers to restock the store and fulfill orders. By seven that evening,
he had sold every flower and arrangement in the store. After Dudley had posted his picture to every social media page he had, customers had come to Pick ’N Clip in droves, including the media.

  “Why are you in Virginia Beach at a flower store?” one reporter had asked him.

  “Quarterback to florist. Quite a leap,” another journalist mused.

  “What do you think of the new moniker for you, Gideon? MVP Mama’s Boy?” a young man who claimed he came from a top 40 radio station asked with a laugh.

  Gideon certainly had been called worst names growing up. Being called a mama’s boy didn’t bother him as much as the media wanted.

  He took a deep breath before speaking. “Ladies and gentleman, I appreciate you all coming out. As you can see, I’m helping out at one of my mother’s stores while she’s dealing with a medical issue.”

  “What issue is that, Gideon?” a reporter asked.

  Gideon ignored the inquiry and continued with his speech. He raised his hands in the air. “Business was really good today. If you would like to place an order for an arrangement, I’d be more than happy to take it. If you’re in need of flowers tonight, I would strongly suggest you checking out Flowers Galore, which is only a few blocks away.”

  Elizabeth would be proud of Gideon that he broke from his normal competitive self to throw business Janelle’s way. After the way Janelle had stomped out of the store, that would be the only thing he would give her.

  Gideon leaned against the front counter. “This is the only statement I’ll make at this time.”

  An audible groan rumbled from the crowd. Gideon knew he should have offered more than that. He’d just helped his team win a Super Bowl championship for God’s sake. Plus, if he wanted to keep up in this industry, and he did, he would have to put himself out there to the media as well as show some support to his team. He couldn’t think about anything else but his family.

  Despite his overt brush-off, the reporters, photographers, and DJs all shoved their business cards at Gideon. He tossed each one on top of the counter. His mother would be disappointed if he threw them into the garbage in front of them. He would wait until they all disappeared first.

  Besides, before he could do any kind of press, he would have to talk to his coaches and agent. Then he would have to patch things up with Dennis.

  Gideon shifted his weight to the side with his injured knee. Yes, he would need to see someone about that. When he could find some alone time, he would handle his personal business.

  One by one, people cleared out of the store until the fan who had followed Gideon from Janelle’s store remained.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have any flowers left.” Gideon went behind the counter.

  “I know. I wanted to tell you something about the woman at the other store.” Dudley pressed his belly against the counter and leaned forward.

  Although Gideon hated gossip, knowing that he could get better insight into Janelle Gold’s life intrigued him. He remained quiet as he stared at the man.

  “Her employee told me that she’s growing that plant to enter it into some contest. Virginia’s Best Plant and Flower show or something like that.”

  Gideon knew the competition well. His mother had entered it annually and usually won the award for best floral arrangement. Once they’d gotten home, she would give the ribbons to Gideon. At the time, the show hadn’t allowed anyone younger than eighteen to enter. They hadn’t known that Elizabeth’s entries had actually been done by Gideon.

  “Why would you think I would be interested in that?” Gideon wiped down the counter.

  Dudley shrugged. “I don’t know. I figured you’re a competitor. I don’t know why you’re here exactly, but if you really do know about flower arranging and all that stuff, I’d say enter the contest and be a bigger champion in another area. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? A Super Bowl quarterback who’s also a florist.” He laughed.

  In the customer’s revelry, Gideon ran the idea through his head. Janelle had accused him of being someone who didn’t know his way around flowers. Although she denied calling him a dumb jock, he knew what she meant.

  She would definitely eat some crow if he showed up to the contest and beat her in her category. Winning would be the ultimate redemption.

  “Thanks for the information. I think I have enough on my hands.” Gideon moved around the counter and ushered the man out the door.

  If he gave a hint to Dudley that he would think about entering the contest, the news would be all over the Internet. In this situation, silence would be golden. He wanted to see the look on Janelle’s face when he walked in with an arrangement and a plant that would beat hers in a contest.

  “Oh, yeah. Whatever, man. Hey, great meeting you.”

  Gideon shook his hand as another man approached the door. “Hot damn. Gid the god is here.”

  More than being called the boy next door or America’s Couple when he’d dated Hilary, he hated the fan nickname of Gid the god. It had started in high school and stuck with him through his athletic career no matter how much he’d tried to stop it.

  “I was about to close up.” Gideon stood at the doorway to stop the shorter man from entering. As he stared at him, he started to recognize him. “Ant? Is that you?”

  The young African-American man held Gideon’s hand and pulled him in for hug. “Yes, indeed. Can’t believe you remembered me. Your brother Guns didn’t.”

  “You were in my same class. Gunnar is older.” Gideon would leave out the fact that Ant had annoyed Gunnar…and him.

  “What do you mean you’re closing early?” Ant managed to slip under Gideon’s arm to go into the store. “What is this place?”

  “A flower store.”

  Ant turned around. His halo of hair shaped in a circular Afro framed his face. Gunnar could do a lot with a head of hair like that.

  “Pick ’N Clip. This isn’t a flag football league?”

  Gideon suppressed a laugh before he answered the delusional man. “No, this is my mother’s place. I’m running it while she’s out.”

  Ant raised his hands in the air. “I can’t get a break. I thought your brother was managing a gym, and that turned out to be a hair salon. And now this.”

  Gideon suppressed a chuckled as he regarded the diminutive man and his troubles.

  “Can’t you change the place now that you’re here?” Ant placed his hands together in prayer form.

  This time, Gideon couldn’t help but laugh out loud at Ant’s request. “This is not my place to change. Come on. Valentine’s Day is coming up. You want to place an order? Maybe something for your mother?” Gideon pointed to an arrangements book on the counter. “Nothing like getting some flowers sent to the only woman in your life.”

  “Hey, I have a girlfriend.” Ant puffed out his scrawny chest that hadn’t changed that much since their high school days.

  “I’m sure you do.” Gideon smiled, but another chuckle threatened to make his way out of his mouth at any moment.

  “Forget you, man.” Ant stormed out of the store.

  Gideon took that moment to lock the front door. He exhaled. He felt as though he’d been holding his breath in all day.

  Victor appeared from the back-room area. “Everyone gone?”

  “Everyone and everything.” Gideon raised his hands again. “I gave Janelle’s place a shout out. I hope that gets her some business.”

  “Aww, that was nice of you.” Victor patted Gideon on his cheek. “Queen Elizabeth raised nothing but gentlemen.”

  Gideon smiled but kept his mouth clamped shut so he wouldn’t say anything disparaging about his younger brother. “Did you get a status update about the rush order? We’ll definitely need more flowers. If they can’t make a rush shipment, we’re going to be taking orders. I have a feeling while I’m here, business will be booming.”

  “That’s a good thing for Queen. I’m sure her medical bills will be high.”

  “Even if her busi
nesses failed, her medical bills would have been paid for. Between me and my brothers, we would make sure she’s taken care of.”

  For as much as Elizabeth Sommerville had done for Gideon, Gunnar, and Thane, paying for her bypass surgery would be the least they could do for her.

  As he looked at Victor, he realized his mother’s reach and responsibility. She had employees. She had people depending on her for their lifestyles. Gideon felt a sense of pride to step into his mom’s shoes.

  “It was a good day today, huh?” Gideon braced his hands on the counter as Victor put money from the register into a bank bag.

  “Very good day. Would you mind it terribly if I hung your body from a flagpole in front of the doors to get people to come in here?” Victor giggled.

  “I’d mind it a little. It’s cold out there.” Gideon slipped on his jacket and glanced down at his watch.

  Before leaving the store, he called his mother.

  “Darling, did you go back up to the hospital?” Elizabeth’s smooth voice oozed through the phone.

  “No. It got really busy here today.” Without saying a word, Gideon pointed to the bank bag and then pointed to himself to see if Victor needed him to drop off today’s take at the bank.

  Victor shook his head and put on his coat. He flung his purple scarf around his neck. Then he slipped on his red leather gloves. The man loved his colors.

  “Are you still at the hospital?” Gideon asked as he opened the door for Victor.

  “Uh, no. Gunnar needed some space.”

  The way his mother made the statement and her tone gave Gideon a niggling feeling of concern. “So are you at your house?”

  “Yes, getting dinner ready. Are you coming by?”

  “How can I refuse a home-cooked meal from you?” Gideon smiled as he unlocked his car. “See you in a bit.”

  “Do you want to ask Janelle if she wants to come to dinner?”

  That uneasy feeling came across Gideon again. “No. I need to talk to you about her when I get to your place.”