#cole thread

Cole stood across the street, watching the door of the flower shop like it was a mark. He’d passed the shop dozens of times now, always peering through the window in the hopes he’d see her. The woman who lingered in his mind no matter what he was doing. Sleeping, eating, bashing in skulls-- no matter what her caramel hair and blue eyes haunted him. He didn’t even know her name. Still, there he stood, his hands shoved into his trouser pockets to hide how he flexed his fingers nervously. Cole had walked into gunfights with his head held high... but this terrified him.

“Come on stupid boy--” he muttered to himself the words his father barked at him when he was young, “scared are you?” With a huff he crossed the street. The bell atop the door chimed as he entered, a rush of sweet aromas greeting him just as an older woman with glasses appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She was asking him questions but Cole was looking forward, staring at the enchanting woman who was busy arranging flowers. His hands bawled into fists, still hidden. Finally he spoke, his voice a rumble that grew from the very base of his throat, “I want to talk to her.” He nodded at the younger woman behind the counter.

Now he stepped deeper into the shop up the counter. A bouquet of snap dragons sat by the register. Cole swallowed, suddenly very interested in the flowers that surrounded him. Shit, what now? He couldn’t tell her he’d seen her weeks ago and couldn’t stop thinking about her. Nor could he tell her he would give her everything she wanted, all she had to do was ask. The women he was with were usually easy to care for. They wanted jewels and drugs and to be seen on his arm. But her? He hadn’t the faintest clue what she would want. “What flowers do you like?” He asked, looking back at her.