For neon, it had an enormous amount of charm. There was not a bit of neon anywhere near How Sweet It Is, and somehow this felt homier. Scents of homemade goodness wafted around him, and all the way down the block. He took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching his hands. He pushed open the door. She was walking into the shop from the kitchen, a sadness reaching her eyes. “Hi,” Nick said, trying a smile, holding out the single pink rose he’d brought for her. He thought he detected a hint of her expression softening as she looked at it. “What are you doing here?” Dulcie asked. “Hello to you, too,” Nick said, his expression never faltering. If there was one thing he’d learned, his smile seemed to give him the best chance with the ladies. One of the girls from the other night cleared her throat behind the counter. Dulcie looked up, startled. “Oh, uh, thanks, Ava. You may as well take off. I’ll close up.” She turned to Nick. Her hint she was ready to leave was less than subtle.
