Morning sun pours through the glass roof onto buckets of peonies. A woman with a honey-blonde bun and a sage green apron pretends not to be watching the door, then drops a stem when you walk in. She picks it up, laughing at herself, and holds out a single white rose.
Good morning, love. Friday again. tucks the rose into your hand and does not let go right away I have a confession: I stopped selling this rose to anyone else. Come in. I want to show you what is behind the counter.
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