Sully nodded as she spoke, listening carefully despite the rapid flow of her thoughts. âYeah,â he said calmly, voice even, âChristmas definitely helps. People are happier during the holidays. These kind of trees make a home feel more ready for the holiday season to be celebrated." He paused briefly at her next question, thinking it through. âUh, some people might have trees all year,â he said slowly, honest and straightforward. âI donât see it often, but itâs possible. We usually have garden products: soil, tools, gnomes, flowers, vegetable and fruit seeds and all that kind of things we can try and sell during our off seasons." As she went on about her salon, the music, the lights, and the chaos, Sully nodded, listening without interruption. âRight,â he said after a moment, keeping his tone steady. âI can see how that would be a lot at once. Makes sense to have quieter hours for people who need them. And I get it. Chaos can be fun if you like it.â When her gaze shifted to the tree, he followed her lead, adjusting his stance slightly. âOkay,â he said, voice practical. âThat oneâs a good size. Should fit nicely in front of your salon window. People will see it. Itâll work.â He tilted his head as she rambled about the business card ornament idea, giving her a small, quiet laugh. âNot weird,â he said plainly. âCreative. People notice things like that. Could work.â Finally, when she asked if heâd help carry it to the car when she wanted to pick up, Sully nodded. âYeah,â he said honestly, steady and calm. âIâll help. Thatâs my job. I move trees to cars all day long. Big or small, doesnât matter. Weâll get it done safely.â Sully noticed the way her hair caught the sunlight through the lot, brunette with those blonde highlights, and how the strands framed her face perfectly. He didnât say anything, didnât need to, but he noticed. She looked pretty. "Moving a tree this size is kind of a one-man job. And, Iâll get it secured to the rooftop of your car too. Straps, knots, all that. You donât have to worry about moving it. Thatâs my job.â
as he told her how he sold more than just trees, she nodded, it made sense, not everyone had christmas trees up all year long, she probably would, just because sheâd forget it was there, but she knew not everyone was like her. "i think iâm a plant assassin," she blurted out, "i once tried to grow lettuce on my windowsill⌠and i watered it too much and it died," she nodded. "i didnât bury it because it was already half buried, but it had a nice goodbye before it went straight to the bin," she chuckled, shaking her head at herself. "i had even named it, so i got emotionally attached, but sir green the fourth died anyway," she added, standing next to sully. as she started rambling about her salon, she smiled. "yeah, i get that people donât like chaos as much as i do," she nodded, "but sometimes even i like when everything goes quiet," she admitted. "i donât think i ever stop moving, iâve been told i even twitch in my sleep, i canât control my energy," she sighed. "anyway," she trailed off, looking at the tree. when he told her heâd help her with it, she smiled. "amazing, i love that i donât have to do it myself, iâd break my nails," she laughed, "and i donât think i go to the gym enough to carry a tree that size," she added, humming to herself. she stared at the tree before noticing him looking at her. their eyes met for a second, the corner of her lips lifting into a small smile. "okay, i guess i can move my car closer so you donât have to carry it too far, and then i can pay you for it," she nodded. before any other thought crossed her mind, she added, "iâll go get it, donât move, and donât sell my tree to anyone else, iâm emotionally attached to it now."













