The rain poured down like cats and dogs, one raindrop fell down from the overhead windows. Tessa grimaced when a raindrop fell on her glasses. She finished spraying the rose buds and moved on to the tulips.

Tessa has worked at La Petals flower shop for five years and she still did the last minute watering of all the flowers. Tessa often lost track of time while taking care of tiger lilies and sunflowers.

Luke, the owner of the shop, flipped the front door sign to close. He saluted her before disappearing to his back office. “Good night, Ms. Tessa,” he called behind before shutting the door.

Another rain drop fell and pooled onto the counter top. She slipped off the keys from around her wrist, grabbing her umbrella and opening it up to shield herself from the rain. Tessa put the store key into the slot and locked up the shop.

She glanced down at her wrist watch and noticed it was 7:10, and her bus takes off at 7:20. Tessa started to pick her pace and walked a bit further till she approached the bus stop and its bench.

At the bench sat a handsome man, Tessa could tell from his soaked clothes that he has been there for awhile. A discarded bouquet sat forlorn on the seat next to him. She cleared her throat and he glanced up at her and gave a sheepish smile.

He has a very nice smile.

Tessa motioned to the spot where the flowers sat. He mumbled “Opps” and quickly threw the pretty bouquet in the trash can next to him. He squinted up at her and pat the seat next to him. She sat gown and covered him and herself under the umbrella.

He grinned impishly at her and stuck out his right hand for her to shake. “My name is Jude,” he said with a deep alto voice. “Thanks for sharing your umbrella.” His hand felt rough but warm when it grasped onto hers. She smiled “Tessa, and your welcome.” She then noticed that his engagement finger had a tan lime where a ring used to be.

Curiosity began to stir inside her and she said “Who were the flowers for?” She prayed that they weren’t given to him from someone. Please don’t let him be gay, she thought.

He cleared his throat and said briskly “They were for my fiancé accept when I arrived home precisely,” he glanced at his watch “two hours ago, I found her and our neighbor in the shower together.”

Jude let out a small sigh and adjusted his extremely wet jacket. Tessa couldn’t stop herself when she placed her hand on his arm and gave it a soft squeeze. “I am sorry,” he said before she could say anything. “I usually don’t go around talking to strangers about my problems.”

The rain began to come down harder and they scooted closer together. She smiled at him “No, it is okay. I like the honesty. It is refreshing.” He snorted and said, “Glad someone is actually willing to listen.” He lowered his voice “There was an old woman sitting here when I first arrived.”

He pantomimed a scared expression and cracked up. “She got up and basically ran. I felt like a serial killer.” Jude’s face got grim as he said “Like my self-esteem wasn’t bad enough.” Tessa shuffled her feet and said teasingly “I don’t think you are that scary.”

A slow grin spread across his face and he said “She was scarier than me.” Tessa giggled and he leaned forward and hugged her. She blushed all the way done to her toes and he said “Thanks, I thought I could never smile, like I just did, for a long time.” Her bus pulled up in front of them and the doors sprung open.

His dark green eyes watched her face as he asked “Is this your bus?” She smiled, warmth spreading over her body as Tessa slipped her arm through his. “Nope. I have no where better to go.” He smiled at her and she grinned back as the bus closed its doors and drove off.