"So... How did it go?" Teddy asked as soon as he saw me leave the restaurant. 

I rolled my eyes reaching for my jacket in his outstretched hand, "Same old story. You know how it is in these old towns."

Teddy clicked his tongue and hummed around the licorice stick hanging from his lips, "It's not the town Sam." He put his right hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out the licorice stick with his left. He waved the piece of candy in my face and said, "What you need is a beard" 

"Uh Uh."

"Wait. I am serious. Don't walk away. Just...hear me out for a second," Teddy pushed his headphones back letting them hang from his neck and smiled. Walking a little bit faster I rolled my eyes. 

"Come on Sam, don't be mean," Teddy whined as he tried to catch up. I slowed down and he grinned leaning ever so lightly into my shoulder. 

He barely missed my forehead with his licorice stick when he finally spoke again, "You look like a thug."

Shoving Teddy of me, I rolled my eyes, again. "What about my outfit says thug?"

Teddy laughed, biting off a huge chunk of his candy stick, "Sam you are 6.4, with jet black hair , a body marked with scars and all you wear is leather jackets and ripped jeans. You practically write yourself into every bad boy book that exists."

"That's stereotyping Teddy, we are in 2024 I am pretty sure that's not allowed anymore."

"Small towns thrive on gossip and you my friend are the subject of gossip on everyone's lips. The moment you walked into Houston you set the place abuzz. The staff was practically escorting you with their eyes when you left your interview."

"Well people are going to talk either way, a new shirt won't change that." I groaned. 

"See that right there is the problem," Teddy groaned, swinging the snubbed remainder of his licorice stick, "You always look like you are a few seconds away from bashing someone's head in and you have a terrible personality. I mean, I tried to compliment you when we first met and you insulted me!"

"You said I looked like The Godfather's intern." I scowled. 

Teddy popped the last stub into his mouth and waved his hands in the air, "See, that was a compliment."

It wasn't. 

"And if you had said thanks and moved on it wouldn't have taken us that long to get along." I rolled my eyes and Teddy frowned, "You don't get it, us small town folks don't get to be different, that's how you forfeit any benefits of living in a small town. That's why I think you need a beard. Not in the traditional sense but someone who looks non threatening and presents in all the right ways to convince these old folks that you deserve a chance. And all you need to do is sign the papers and have the beard talk and make negotiations. You could even introduce that person as your business liaison or something but you sign all the papers on your own." 

"I just need a job Teddy, not a loan..." 

I turned to Teddy and watched as he stopped to talk to an elderly couple. The lady crooned over Teddy, she gave him a hug and gave him a couple of pats on the back before walking away with her husband. 

Teddy was part of West Kinsley; he had grown up here. He was as much a part of the town as all the traditions that made West Kinsley the town it was. With his mother going from the city hall clerk to the Town Mayor Teddy was not just another citizen he was the Mayor's kid and in West Kinsley that made him the whole town's kid. So everyone knew him and everyone was there every step of his growth. That was the reason why he fit into this shitty town. He had roots in it, roots I didn't have since I had moved to West Kinsley a few years back. But even then I hadn't stayed long enough to form any roots. 

"Come on, Grandma Rosy said we should try Sunny Smiles," Teddy hooked my arm and dragged me up the street. 

"Sunny Smiles?" I looked down at Teddy's grin and groaned, "You think I can get a job at a dentist's office after failing to get a waiting job?"

"Sunny Smiles is not a Dental Clinic."

Sunny Smiles was not a Dental Clinic and it wasn't called Sunny Smiles, no it was called Mrs Davis' Sunny Smiles. Honestly the name of the shop sounded like a chapter title in a Dr Suess book. The shop was adequately sized taking up a small corner of the street with its bright yellow awnings and painted smiley faces. 

The shop itself was vibrant and bursting with colour that could be seen through the translucent window panels. I eyed Teddy who seemed to be enjoying this new development. No doubt he already knew how garishly happy the shop looked next to me. 

"No way," I shoved my hands into my jacket pocket and spun round ready to leave Sunny Smiles where it had been. 

"Come on, Sam." Teddy grinned, pulling on my sleeve," Give it a shot. Mrs Davis is nice and this is the best place to pick up guys."

I narrowed my eyes, "This is the worst place to pick up."

"What makes you say that?"

"Guys that are coming to a flower shop obviously have someone to buy flowers for. Come on Teddy, plus why would I want a guy who shops for flowers. We both know those guys are relationship guys."

"Yeah yeah, just go in will you. What's wrong, you're afraid of a little old lady or something?"

"Shut up," I said, pulling my jacket across my chest. I looked at the small sign taped to the glass with masking tape. The words on it were written in sloppy, loopy letters that looked like they would fall off the page at any time. ‘Help Wanted’ it read. With my jaw set I walked into the shop. 

The tinkling of a bell announced my arrival, and a warm steady voice called out from behind the shop, "Will be there in a minute." 

I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, with my head bent forward to get a better angle. I took out my hands from my pockets and attempted to smooth out my hair. Teddy, who hadn't waited outside like he did at Houston's, coughed to mask his stupid giggle. I used my shoulder to shove him away and he raised his hands strapped away from me. 

Sunny smiles was exactly what it had looked like outside, vibrant full of colour and a stark contrast to the mildly chilly weather outside. The atmosphere itself was warm and the last remaining light from the setting sun streaked into the shop shinny on the remaining bouquet's. 

An old lady with silver grey hair, a warm inviting smile and a floral apron tied around her waist emerged from the back. Mrs Davis I automatically assumed. She walked up to the counter and smiled at me, "Welcome to Sunny Smiles. We have flowers for every occasion. How many I help you." 

"Actually I was hoping I could help you," I said, stepping forward. 

Mrs Davis' glanced behind me, she caught sight of Teddy and her eyes lit up with recognition. "Theodore! It's so good to see you. I haven't seen you in so long. Spring is just around the corner, and the shop is in full bloom you boys came the right time." She said as she walked around the counter to ruffle Teddy's hair and punch his cheeks.