The Rhythm of My Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

interrupted by a small giggle.
    “You know, I don’t think I have ever delivered flowers to Gracie before, and I mean ever. Considering she has been my best friend since the dawn of time, I have a fairly good idea what her favorite flowers are. I’m Ashley by the way and you are?” she holds out her hand.
    “Ah, I’m Cole; it’s nice to meet you,” I reply in a baffled tone, I pause for a moment then shake my head. “Sorry, it’s just completely weird that of all the florists I could have walked into, I come into Grace’s best friend’s shop. It’s just uncanny.”
    Ashley looks at me thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t say weird at all; I’d say this is fate. ” She’s smiling warmly at me then continues, “Okay, Cole, what do you want to do? Do you want to stick with the mixed bouquet or do you want to impress the hell out of her and go for the yellow roses?”
    I smile. “Without a doubt, let’s go for impressing the hell out of her? Make it two dozen yellow roses, and will you put them in one of your vases? That way she has one at work in the future.”
    Ashley is showing off her pearly white teeth now. “For the future, huh? That I can do; I’ll even deliver them personally and for free just to see the look on her face.” She giggles again.
    I simply say, “Thanks.”
    “So, you two are going out tomorrow?”
    “Yeah, I’m taking her to lunch. I actually asked her to dinner tonight but she said she already has plans, so tomorrow it is.” I shrug and I can feel the grin forming on my lips.
    “Well, I must apologize then. I’m her plans for tonight,” Ashley informs me. “Girls’ night out, you know… Actually, Gracie and I are going to our favorite place… Pitch and Tone, do you know it?”
    I have heard of it but I’ve never been there. From what I know, it’s a karaoke bar or something, not really my kind of place. “Yeah, I know where it is; it’s the karaoke place isn’t it?” I ask.
    Ashley looks a little horrified. “No! It’s a club, just like any other club with a bar and dancing, but the dancing doesn’t start until after eleven because from seven they have open mic and anyone can perform. It’s the perfect combination for a night out,” she says, passionately. “Anyway,” she draws out the word, “why don’t you stop by; you know… Surprise Gracie? It will be like a prelude to your lunch tomorrow.”
    Hmmm, that sounds like a great idea. I wonder if I can get Sam to come with me. “What time do you usually get there?” I ask Ashley.
    “We’ll be there at seven. We know the owners so our table is reserved. You have to be there early to sign in if you’re performing.”
    Now I’m wondering if Grace gets up and performs; so I just ask, “So, do you and Grace perform, Ashley?” She giggles.
    “I always sing when we go, but you won’t ever see Gracie up on stage. I haven’t heard her sing seriously, since we were little heard her sing; it’s just not her thing, but she loves the place anyway.”
    I get out my credit card and hand it to Ashley. “Well, it sounds like fun; I guess I might see you tonight then.”
    She finishes taking my payment, hands me back my card, and smiles at me. “Excellent! Well, it was great to meet you, Cole. I’ll be sure to get your flowers straight over to Gracie; she will absolutely love them.”
    “Thanks, Ashley. It was great meeting you too, and thanks for the tip about the roses… and tonight. I’ll catch you later,” I say as I leave her shop.
    Fate. Yep, that was definitely fate. I was wrong before about how this day couldn’t get any better. After meeting Grace’s best friend, this could possibly become one of the best days I’ve had in a very long time.

 
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Grace….
     
    The morning flew by and as I’m getting ready to go to lunch, a familiar van pulling up out front catches my eye. A grin forms on my lips as my best friend Ashley gets out and walks around to the side door of her florist