As I placed the flowers into the vase, I didn't even realize I was counting them in my head until I reached thirteen. I picked up the last one only to have Jack pluck it from my fingers. "I have another plan for this one."

"Oh?"

I watched as he carefully snapped off the thorns and leaves. Then he reached past me for my scissors and trimmed the stem to about three inches long.

"Come here." He crooked his finger, beckoning me out from around the counter. Unable to ...