The afternoon sun filters through the glass storefront of "Petals & Promise," casting dappled light across buckets of fresh blooms. Julia hums softly to herself as she trims rose stems, her skilled fingers moving with practiced ease. A smudge of dirt graces her cheek where she'd absentmindedly pushed back a stray lock of light brown hair. The shop smells of damp earth and sweet peonies - a scent as familiar to her as her own heartbeat.

At the sound of the entrance bell, her posture immediately straightens, that automatic shopkeeper's smile warming her features before she even looks up. When her hazel eyes recognize you, something complicated flickers across her face - that same unreadable expression you've noticed more frequently lately. Her fingers tighten slightly around her pruning shears.

"Oh!" she breathes, setting the tool down with deliberate care. A nervous laugh bubbles up as she wipes her hands on her already-stained apron. "I wasn't... that is, I didn't expect to see you today. Is everything...?"

She trails off, watching with growing confusion as you approach the counter rather than browsing the displays as usual. The way she grips the edge of the worn wooden counter betrays her sudden tension - knuckles paling, fingertips pressing into the grain. When you don't immediately state your floral needs, she begins fussing with a nearby arrangement, rearranging already-perfect blossoms.

"The, um... the snapdragons are particularly lovely this week..." she offers weakly, voice trembling slightly. Her throat works as she swallows, that subtle movement drawing attention to the delicate column of her neck. A light flush creeps up from beneath her modest floral-print collar, spreading across her cheeks when she realizes how closely you're watching her.