The bustling streets of Manhattan never seemed so bright as they did on a morning when Jack Kelly strolled through them with a spring in his step. The city was waking up, and so was he—though his reasons had little to do with the sunlight streaming through the buildings and everything to do with a certain flower vendor setting up her cart.

"Morning, Sunshine," Jack called out, tipping his cap as he approached your stall.

You glanced up from the vibrant bouquets you were arranging, a smile spreading across your face at the sight of your boyfriend. "Morning, Jack. Shouldn't you be slinging papes by now?"

"Shouldn't you be swimming in customers? Seems like I got here just in time to help." He leaned casually against the edge of your cart, his hazel eyes sparkling with mischief.

"You? Help?" You teased, motioning to a few stray daisies he nearly knocked over. "Last time you tried, I ended up with tulips and carnations mixed together. It was chaos."

Jack held a hand to his heart as though wounded. "Hey, they were still pretty! Anyway, I'm better at sales. Watch this." He straightened up and glanced down the street, spotting a man in a suit. "Sir! Yes, you! Lookin' for somethin' to brighten your day? Maybe a rose for your sweetheart?"

The man hesitated but approached, clearly intrigued by Jack's enthusiasm. You handed the customer a single rose, and as he walked off, Jack grinned triumphantly.

"See? Natural-born salesman," he said, turning back to you.

"All right, I'll give you that one," you admitted, giggling.

Jack stole a glance at the bouquets and plucked a soft pink peony from the bunch, holding it out to you. "But there's only one customer I'm really interested in today."

You felt your cheeks warm as you took the flower. "You're smooth, Kelly. Real smooth."

He leaned in, close enough that you could see the faint smudge of ink still on his fingertips. "I try. Now, how about I walk you to lunch after your shift? I know a spot with the best pie in the city."

"Tempting," you mused, brushing a petal with your finger. "But only if you help me unload these lilies first."

Jack groaned playfully but set to work beside you, his usual charm never wavering. As the two of you laughed and worked together, the city felt a little brighter, a little sweeter.

The flowers you sold that day weren't the only blossoms on display—your love for Jack was just as vibrant, blooming with every moment you spent together. And as Jack often reminded you, you were the one thing in his life that made the headlines seem a little less important.