Chapter 47 - 47

I made it home in record time and slowed only when I saw something on the front porch. I approached cautiously until I saw that they were a bundle of roses. I raced up the steps and snatched them up and brought them to my chest. They were beautiful red and white roses in a bed of baby's breath. I brought them to my nose breathing their wonderful scent deep until I saw an envelope sticking out of the back.

Only when they were safely tucked into a vase did I read the message that came along with them.

Mia,

I know this is hard on you, it's been hard on both of us. Nevertheless, I see the end coming and it's leading to a bright future. It's been a day since I held you in my arms and you're still on my mind every waking second. I find myself counting the minutes until I can see you again. I hope you are as well. Until I see you again, think of me.

Master Reed

P. S. Lizzie said you have a new outfit. Wear it tomorrow and I'll reward you well.

His tender words brought tears to my eyes that I blinked rapidly away. Even if he hadn't signed it, I would easily recognize his handwriting. I had a sinking feeling that I was already in love with him and I tried hard to tell myself that it was too soon.

An idea came to mind as I stood there staring at my roses and my letter. I was going to send him a bouquet back just to let him know I was indeed thinking the same thing. After all, I didn't see any reason why men couldn't receive flowers as well.

I grabbed the phone to call the first florist that I saw when I opened my phone book. Only to realize that I had no idea where he lived. I felt terrible that the only place I could think of was his club and that backroom.

I shook my head to clear it of that memory and got to thinking. I was pretty sure Lizzie would know or could ask Jordan, at the very least. Yet, the idea of asking them was humiliating and the office was closed so I couldn't even go look it up. I was groaning in disappointment when the logo on the flowers caught my eye.

"Yes! I bet they'd have his address." I said out loud happily.

I hurriedly looked up their number and called them immediately while I mentally patted myself on the back.

"Tri-Area Flower Boutique. This is Sandy, how can I help you?" said the lady answering the phone.

She sounded irritable but I brushed it off thinking it had to be close to the end of her day anyway.

"Hi! This is Mia Johnson. I just got a delivery from you guys and I-"I began.

"I'm sorry, no returns. If you would like to block the sender, please speak to the police," she said in the same monosyllabic tone.

"What? No!" I said horrified.

"If the roses were crushed. We do apologize and be assured the delivery man will be dealt with," she continued obviously not listening.

"No! I just want-”

She interrupted me again. "If the flowers are wilted-”

"Lady, listen. I'm not sure what kind of shop you are running but I assure you the flowers are fine," I interrupted her, my patience walking on thin ice where she was concerned.

"Ma'am, it's a flower shop. Honestly, you'd be shocked as to what's happened," she said her tone of disinterest belying her words.

I pinched my nose and counted to ten.

"Look, all I want to do is send flowers to the man who sent flowers to me, can you do that?”

"Yes, Ma'am. Name?"

"Mia Johnson," I said slowly.

"That's great, I meant his name," she said a touch of impatience in her voice now.

"Reed Callaghan," I informed her in the same tone she was using on me.

"Oh, him."

I could hear the disgust in her voice. This woman was really grated on my nerves, and I had finally hit the end of my rope.

"Yes, him. You know if you don't want to help me please put me in touch with someone who does," I said harshly.

"It's not that I don't want to help you. I just can't understand why you'd want to send a man a bouquet back when he sends you some crappy flowers,"

"Excuse me, not that it's any of your business, but I happen to love roses,"

There was silence on the other end, and I felt justified.

"Well, not that it's any of your business but he also sent a bouquet of daisies to another woman," The woman snarled on the other end before the phone was promptly slammed down.

"Oh really?"I whispered my heart ripping in two.

I set my phone gently on the table and looked at my roses as my mind raced. Why would he send me and his wife flowers? What was going on? I almost grabbed the phone and demanded answers from him. I wouldn't take a "wait patiently" for an answer this time. No, I wasn't going to beg this time and I wasn't going to lay down for him anymore.

Anger suddenly overtook me, especially when I had to admit my mother was right. I suddenly couldn't remember why I was giving him so much of my time and patience. No more, I've seen this scenario played out too many times and I wasn't going to be the 'other woman' anymore. He wanted me to wait around for him while he still played to his wife's fiddle?

"Well, too fucking bad," I growled out loud to my empty kitchen.

Renewed with a sense of determination and maybe a hint of vengeance, I jumped up and threw my flowers into the garbage. It was time for him to see that I may be submissive, but I was no one's fool. I'd wear the little outfit for him tomorrow and let him look at it all the while I told him I was going to start seeing other men. Because, as my mom said it was time for him to man up or step back.

No matter how much I kept telling myself that, I was angry.. I went to bed that night I was feeling a bit of anguish for tomorrow and fell asleep with a tear tracing its way down my face.