“The baby that may not be mine?” I ask.
Avery peels himself off the floor, the struggle coming more from pain than toxicity if I had to guess and points at me. “Again. You’re an idiot.”
With that, he straightens his tie (a pointless effort considering his shirt is blood stained) and walks out of the room leaving me alone with his words, my thoughts and whatever the fuck is going on in my heart.
Chapter 35
Callum
“Mr. Hardin. You’re here early.” Alanis, the receptionist at the front desk of Hardin Records offers me a surprised smile.
“Yes, I know. And I need your help with something.” I brace the counter in my palms and lean forward a little, just enough to enclose our conversation.
“Of course, Mr. Hardin. What can I do for you?”
“Where is the nearest florist?”
“I’m sorry?” Alanis blinks and I glance around before leaning in even closer.
“I need a florist. Someone who can deliver twelve…make it twenty-four…roses in the next hour,” I whisper. And I know I must sound crazy. But you know what they say about desperate times. I don’t think I’ve ever been desperate a day in my life. But I am going on two weeks now of silent treatment from Amanda and I want her to be able to talk to me. I need her to talk to me.
“Le Petal is about two miles from here and I believe we can do a rush order if we place it in the next ten minutes.”
“Perfect,” I stand up straight.
“Color?” she asks.
“Color of what?”
“The roses, Mr. Hardin.”
I hadn’t thought about color. I guess I assumed they’d be red. But red roses, now that I think about it, are very traditional. Very standard. Very…cliche. And I certainly don’t want that.
“What color do you think they should be?” I ask.
A small, amused smile flickers in the corners of Alanis’ lips. If it weren’t for the fact she has been a long time, much valued employee, I’d meet that snigger with a scowl.
“I suppose that all depends,” she whispers.
“Depends on what?”
The smile broadens ever so slightly. “On who they’re for. And what it is you’re trying to say.”
As it turns out, every color of rose has a different meaning. A different thing they are trying to say. Red is obviously love. A stout love. Lavender, on the other hand, is a growing love. A love at first sight. Coral is desire. Peach is gratitude. Pink is appreciation. Yellow is joy and friendship. The list goes on…and on…and on. More than 10 minutes, that’s for sure. So, seeing as how I obviously didn’t think this through and now find myself overthinking it, I go with the obvious answer considering how complicated my relationship with Amanda is. I order one of every color they have.
Every color for every sentiment.
All my cards on the table.
Not to mention, all my cash on the table.
“Roses are fucking expensive,” I say as soon as they arrive.
Alanis smiles again, her eyes wide at the bundle in my hand. “There’s a reason they’re the most popular.”
Indeed.
I glance at my watch and hurry my way up to the recording room. I place the flowers on her desk and study them for a moment before making my way out. I even included a card with a typed note.
