I glare at the droopy leaves on my potted plant.
Amy
What is WRONG with you?
That’s when I notice the sticker on the side of the pot:
“Problem with your plants?”
“FaceTime our gardening expert!”
I’m desperate enough to give it a try—
And I’m glad I did when I see who answers.
Hazel eyes, scruffy beard, and the sweetest smile ever.
He gives me a little wave that makes my heart do cartwheels.
Guy
Hi! I’m Simon from Blossom Garden Center!
I almost forget how to talk.
He’s seriously *that* cute.
With a sheepish grin, I hold up my plant.
Amy
I need a little help with this.
Simon
Ouch! Yeah, you sure do.
Amy
My friends got it for me…
Amy
I’ve never been able to keep a plant alive.
Amy
If this one dies too…
Amy
I’ll never hear the end of it.
Looking thoughtful, Simon rubs his chin.
Simon
How are you caring for it?
Amy
Well, I’m giving it plenty of water, and—
Simon grins at me through the screen.
Simon
Your plant is a Bear’s Paw, a type of succulent.
Simon
Succulents don’t need much water.
Simon
Just a sip now and then…
Simon
And that little bear will be fine.
He pauses, waiting for an introduction.
Simon
You’re welcome, Amy.
Simon
Call again if you need more help.
Soon my plant is looking much better…
Then its leaves start turning brown, and I have to admit…
I don’t mind having an excuse to FaceTime Simon again.
His face lights up when he sees me.
Simon
Amy! How’s the little bear?
My pulse jumps with delight—
He squints at it through the screen.
Simon
Try keeping it on a windowsill.
Amy
You know so much about this!
Simon chuckles and points at his Blossom Garden Center shirt.
Simon
If only they’d let me work with the plants more often…
Simon
My boss always keeps me on the help line.
Simon
But what I really want is…
He shakes his head like he’s shaking off the sadness.
Simon
Call again if you need more help.
I wonder what he was about to say.
And I almost WANT something else to go wrong with my plant.
At first it thrives on the windowsill.
It starts dropping leaves.
Another excuse to talk to Simon.
He laughs a little when he answers.
The sound gives me butterflies.
Simon
Is the little bear struggling again?
I show him my plant’s latest issue.
Simon
Have you tried fertilizer?
Amy
Keeping this thing alive is more complicated than I thought!
Simon
You won’t need much for such a small plant.
Simon
I can mail a sample from the garden center.
Amy
That would be fantastic! Thank you!
Amy
Last time we talked, you said you wanted something.
He sighs, and for a moment his expression goes dreamy.
I wish he’d say, “A date with you, Amy…”
But I know that’s not where this is going.
Simon
What I really want is…
Simon
My own little garden center.
Simon
With a greenhouse and a shop.
Amy
You’ve thought about this a lot, haven’t you?
Simon
I’d have to quit this job and take a big risk.
Amy
We all have to take risks sometimes.
I bite my lip as giddy anticipation fills my chest.
I’m about to take a risk right now.
Amy
Simon, I really like you.
Amy
Would you like to go out sometime?
But Simon presses his mouth into a thin, uncomfortable line.
But it’s not the goofy, friendly smile I’ve been falling for.
Simon
Best of luck with your plant.
Simon
I’ll get that fertilizer sample in the mail right away!
He doesn’t even tell me to call back if I need more help.
The fertilizer works wonders.
A month later, my little plant is truly thriving—
And all I can think about is how I want to talk to Simon again…
If only to apologize for making everything so awkward.
I could go down to the garden center…
But that might make him even more uncomfortable.
I decide to FaceTime the center one last time.
Holly
How can I help you?
Holly
Simon doesn’t work here anymore.
My heart plummets into my stomach.
Holly
I’m afraid I can’t give out that information.
Holly
Can I help you with anything plant-related?
I glance at my perfectly healthy succulent.
I hang up, feeling oddly lost.
With only his first name…
I have no way to contact Simon.
I touch a leaf on my plant.
Amy
You’re all I have left of him, little bear.
I don’t recognize the number trying to FaceTime me…
But when I answer, I know that smile right away.
He gives me an apologetic shrug.
Simon
I hope it’s not too creepy that I kept your number.
Amy
I’m so glad you called.
Amy
I wanted to apologize for making things weird.
Simon
I admit you took me by surprise when you asked me out—
Simon
But that wasn’t why I hung up.
Simon
My boss was nearby.
Simon
She’s really strict about employees not hitting on customers…
Simon
And she got the wrong idea.
Amy
My stupid risk cost you your JOB?
Simon
Your risk was the best thing anyone’s ever done for me.
Simon
Losing that job made me realize you were right:
Simon
It was time for me to take a risk.
Simon
Go check your porch.
Simon
It should have been delivered by now.
Confused, I open my front door.
There’s a tiny succulent on my porch.
Its leaves are a gorgeous blush-pink shade.
Simon
That variety’s commonly known as a “First Kiss.”
That’s when I notice the plant’s label:
His grin is elated and impossibly proud.
Simon
I’m starting my own business.
Simon
All because of you.
Simon
I’m scouting a few possible locations later today, actually…
Simon
And I thought you might like to come along.
Simon
I couldn’t say so at the time…
Simon
But I really like you too.
My cheeks turn pinker than the succulent he sent me.
Simon
And I feel like this is a risk worth taking.
I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of that grin.
Simon
I’ll pick you up later.
After I hang up, I put the First Kiss next to my Bear’s Paw.
Amy
There you go. Now you can both thrive together.
I smile, almost bursting with giddy joy.
Amy
I know exactly who to call for help.
