Patton didn't exactly know what he expected when he walked into the florist shop, but this definitely wasn't it. The man who was presently looking at him with an impassive expression was...hot. Like, really hot. He was tall and slim, with hazel eyes peering curiously at him from behind black glasses and hair that had that effortlessly mussed look that either took five minutes or an hour. Well, if he didn't get the job, he was definitely getting his number. Patton blinked twice before mentally slapping himself. He was here for a job, not a date!
"Yes, I am hiring. I need someone to assist with customer service, handle the cash register and take phone orders. If the correct candidate proved capable, I might consider allowing them to assist me with arrangements, propagation and landscape design. I presently have a six-man crew to assist with the landscaping arm of my business, but I am handling the shop and greenhouse alone. Do you have any experience?"
Patton had been nodding along, feeling progressively more excited as Mr. Sexy Tie had been talking. Now he jolted a little, catching the other man's eyes again.
"Yes. I worked for my cousin's landscaping business most summers growing up. I've had several years of customer service experience, and I practically ran his business for him."
"Oh? Was he from around here?"
"Jake Sanders? Petal to the Metal?"
Oh, crap on a cracker, that slow smirk should be illegal in at least ten states! The way his eyes crinkled at the corners and how he tilted his head back, giving Patton a long look of consideration. Yup, definitely illegal.
"I knew Jake. He was a good guy, did good work. Until I put him out of business, of course."
"Yeah, he was great with plants, bad with money. He's doing much better these days as a contractor up in New York, so you probably did him a favor." Patton shot him a mischievous smile, and the low chuckle he got in return was simply delightful.
"Fair enough. Well, since you're seeking employment, I suppose you've recently moved back, Mr...?"
"Sanders! Patton Sanders. Yes, I just moved back last week with my son, Thomas. And you are?"
"Logan Williams. Pleasure to meet you." His handshake was warm and firm, and Patton was really enjoying that tiny smile. He'd have to make a point to see it more often.
"Sanders. Ah, you must be Roman's brother! He has...mentioned you." There was something almost teasing his Logan's voice, and as Patton mentally ran through a long list of all the embarrassing stories Roman could possibly have told this man, he silently wished to delete the universe and himself.
"Oh god. Please disregard anything he ever told you!"
"But then why would I hire you?" Patton blinked at that, not entirely certain he'd heard that correctly.
"Wait, are you saying-?"
"Be here at 7am tomorrow. If you can make it through the first two weeks without majorly screwing up, I'll keep you on. You've got a job, Patton."
"Thank you, Logan! You won't regret it! I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early." Patton couldn't have wiped the smile off his face if you paid him money.
"I'm sure I won't. I do have to get back to work now, though. Enjoy the rest of your day." With a quick nod, Logan turned on his heel and walked back towards the counter. And if Patton maybe took a quick peek at his new employer's (truly fantastic) backside before he turned and walked out, well, he was only human, right?
"Hey there, Pocket Protector. What are you doing brooding here? Aren't you usually busy playing Full Metal Botanist or something about now?" Virgil grinned as he slid into the seat opposite his nerdy friend. As two transplants from other cities, they had somehow forged a friendship that was the closest Virgil had ever had. He considered Logan a brother, and it didn't take a genius to see that something was eating at him. After all, Logan didn't usually spend his evenings at The Darkest Roast unless he needed to get away from something.
"I am not brooding. I am contemplating. And it's Full Metal Alchemist." Logan replied, sipping his cup of tea. Virgil arched a brow at him.
"Oh, is 'contemplating' what we're calling it these days? Pretty sure you're full of shit, Lo."
"Pretty sure I'm not, Verge."
"Seriously, what's up? Not that I'm complaining, but you don't usually hit us up outside of your morning coffee." Virgil may not be a "people person", but he was very good at reading people, and right now his friend seemed...off. Logan sighed and looked to the side.
"I hired someone today." It was muttered into his tea, and anyone else might have missed it.
"Oh? For the shop? You've been working yourself ragged, that's a good thing, isn't it?"
"Yes. It is. I think he'll be an excellent addition. It's Roman's brother, actually."
"Oh fuck, not the one who streaked through a family party naked!"
"By all accounts, he was only a child at that time, but yes I do believe that would be the one. Unless Roman has another brother I'm unaware of." Virgil examined his friend closely, trying to pinpoint the source of his discomfort.
"So...what's the problem, then? As long as he's nothing like Sir Sing A Lot, you should be golden." And there it was! The subtle shifting, the slight flush to his ears, the way he lifted one shoulder. If there was one thing Roman Sanders was known for, other than being an annoying, arrogant shit, it was being extremely good looking. Didn't take Virgil long to piece together what might be bothering his logical friend, and oh man, did he hope he was right, because that would be blackmail material for the rest of time!
"You think he's hot." Logan's face shot up, a blush creeping over his face, his eyes wide. Virgil smirked, mentally crowing with victory.
"I most certainly do NOT! I barely know him!"
"So? I've fucked people without even knowing their name, Lo! You don't have to KNOW someone to be attracted." Virgil waved a hand dismissively, leaning back in his chair. Now that he knew it was nothing important, he could relax and enjoy making fun of the nerd. Seriously, there was nothing better than watching cool, composed Logan get flustered.
"I...you...WHAT?! I will grant you that attraction is a simple biological impulse, and that knowing the person is not necessary, but even if I were to find him...aesthetically pleasing....which I DON'T...it would be wildly inappropriate on every conceivable level. I'm his EMPLOYER." Logan scowled and took a gulp of his still slightly-too-hot tea, unlocking his phone so he could look at anything but his annoyingly perceptive friend.
"You and your sense of ethics. You should be glad you've got some eye candy working for you now! Maybe you'll actually end up breaking that dry spell of yours. What are you going on, three years?"
"Unimportant, Virgil."
"The hell it is!"
"I find this whole conversation distasteful."
"I find everything distasteful, so I guess we're even."
"Virgil, I swear..."
"Okay, fine, shutting up. You are way too uptight. Gee, I wonder why that is?"
"Virgil, I say this with all of the platonic affection I have for you in my heart...shut the fuck up."
"Swearing at me?! My, oh my, that Sanders brother DOES have you wound up, doesn't he? Can't wait to meet him."
Logan made a frustrated noise, and buried his face in his hands. Why hadn't he just stayed home?!
"Hey, kiddo, I'm back! Thomas? Valerie?" Patton called, gently closing the door behind him. The thump of incredibly loud footsteps heralded the arrival of his son, who immediately threw himself at the father. He enthusiastically returned the hug.
"Hi, Dad! I missed you! How'd it go?" Thomas smiled up at him.
"It went great! I got a job, and I start tomorrow."
"That's awesome! Way to go, Dad!" Thomas crowed, offering a very energetic high five.
"Thanks, kiddo! What do you say we get some ice cream to celebrate?"
"WOOOHOOO!!!"
"Did I hear someone say ice cream?" Valerie, his sister, poked her head around the corner, an amused smile on her face. "I take it from all the cheering that you got the job?"
"Yup! Thanks for telling me about it."
"No problem. Logan would have to be an idiot not to hire you, and he's a very smart guy."
"Yeah, he seemed it." Patton smiled brightly, and Valerie's grin turned slightly wicked.
"He's also very easy on the eyes...or didn't you notice?"
"I'm not blind or dead, Val." Patton rolled his eyes at her, before making a small motion towards Thomas. She seemed to understand, bless her, because she immediately changed the subject.
"So, ice cream?"
"Yeah! Dad's going to take us for ice cream. You should come with us, Aunt Val!"
"You really should. Consider it my way of saying thanks for taking care of Thomas for me."
"You never need to thank me for that, Pat. It's what family's for. But I am absolutely letting you buy me ice cream."
"Is that little place downtown still open?" Patton chuckled, opening the door and ushering his whooping son and smiling sister out.
"Yup! And you're getting me a double scoop of mint chocolate chip." Val grinned and looped her arm through his.
"I want strawberry!"
Patton chuckled, watching Thomas run to the car, all smiles. It had been way too long since he'd seen him like this. Moving here was definitely the right decision.
"I am seriously glad to be home." Val smiled gently at his quiet declaration, slipping an arm around him to give him a quick squeeze.
"We're glad to have you home, bro. It wasn't the same without you."
"Wait for us, kiddo!"
"Come on, slow pokes! ICE CREAM!!!"