Kaycee was browsing through her phone to check the news feed for the day when the sound of footsteps encroached upon the relaxed ambiance of her workspace.

Mina held a vase of flowers in each arm and entered the temperature-controlled room with shelves of flower pots and a tall empty fridge in one corner. Her demeanor changed when she saw Kaycee looking at her phone; the look in her eyes was one of dismay as she chided Kaycee, “Hey, Lee Kaycee! Put your phone away; the store is about to open. What would customers think when they see you playing with your phone?”

Kaycee hurriedly set her phone on vibration and then tucked it into the pocket of her jeans while reaching for an apron from one of the overhead cabinets behind the counter. Kaycee secured the apron over her with a neat knot at the back.

“Mina, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you. Don’t be angry, pretty please.”

Kaycee cupped her face and made cute faces at Mina in hopes of softening the irritable look she saw on Mina. 

“What are you still standing there for; help me to open the fridge,” said Mina.

“Coming!”

Kaycee winked at Mina; her displeasure turned to a forgiving smile. 

“Isn’t your doctor’s appointment this afternoon by 2? Are you ready?”

“Mina! I’m not a baby anymore, of course. I’m ready; I have a reminder on my phone I won’t be late or anything like that.” Kaycee pretended to be angry, but the goofy twinkle in her eyes gave her away.

“Sometimes I wonder why I even bother.” Mina’s voice trailed off as the two settled into their routine of running the store together.

The two had been friends since high school. They have been inseparable since then. Mina was the type that loved the structured life, but she disliked messiness and was a cat lover; but because of her allergies, she could never own a cat. On the other hand, Kaycee liked to live freely and quickly made friends but had issues managing her time. Kaycee and Mina became friends when Mina forgot to bring her lunch money. There was no one willing to share theirs with Mina.

—-----------

At 8:30 AM, the store officially opened the first customer walked in. A man in a suit that appeared to be in his 30s approached the counter.

“Hi, welcome to Haerin Floral. I’m Mina, and how may we help you today?”

The man saw a young woman in a knotted bun wearing what looked to be a business smile as she greeted him while displaying an apron that bore the logo of a flower shop; and her name tag.

“I’m here to pick up an order for JP Law.”

“JP Law?”

Mina gave a side eye to Kaycee when she heard the name the man gave; Kaycee suddenly became interested in the computer screen in front of her; a serene mask covered the laughter that was brewing inside of Kaycee.

“Why JP Law? Wasn’t it Gil K?”

Wheels started to turn in the head of Mina; her photographic memory recalled that JP Law’s order was a pot of pink peonies. 

“Allow me a moment; let me get your peonies for you,” said Mina confidently.