“I don’t know, you’ll have to read the card.” Jemini was lying; she was always in our business. I can guarantee you she’d already read the card and pulled three or four stems to make herself a smaller corsage. Locating the card within the massive arrangement and opened it up.
I hate having to admit when I’m wrong, but this is one of those times.
AJM
My face often betrayed me, but this time I managed to look unfazed. “It’s from Aldridge.”
“I knew it.” Anika snapped her fingers.
Jemini fluttered closer. “What did the card say?”
“Stop acting like you haven’t already read it.” The last thing I wanted to talk about was Aldridge because my mother would always choose his side. You’d think she’d birthed him and not me the way she sanctioned everything he did. Our front door chimed, indicating someone entering the office, and Jemini went to the lobby to respond.
I handed the card to Anika. “What do you think that means?”
“Sounds like he is looking to make amends.”
“It’s going to take a whole lot more than some flowers and a generic non-apology to fix things.”
Anika leaned in to smell the roses. “The flowers are a nice touch.”
“Hello, delivery for Danessa Irwin.” Standing just outside my office was a man with another massive bouquet.”
“I think there’s some type of mix-up. I already received a bouquet.” I pointed to the arrangement already taking up half my desk.
“Well this must be your lucky day,” he said, setting the flowers on the other side of my desk. Before he left my office, another arrangement of flowers arrived, and then another.
“I’m here for this type of carrying on.” Anika kicked her feet from her perch on my credenza. “Rich men apologize different. That’s why I’m always picking fights.” Three more bouquets were delivered, turning my office into a florist shop. “You’re going to have to let him have this round.”
“Because of a few flowers?”
“By my count, there are eleven vases in here. Ain’t nothing few about em.”
The final bouquet was delivered by the tallest delivery man I’d ever seen. Even though his face was concealed by the blooms, it was easy to tell it was Aldridge. In the split second it took for him to put the vase down on a side table, I swept my tongue over my teeth, smoothed my hair, and checked for eye boogers.
“I think that’s the last of them,” Aldridge said.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was in the neighborhood.”
“With dozens of roses?” Anika asked.
Aldridge gestured toward the exit. “Anika could you?—”
“No, no I can’t.”
He looked at me hoping I’d back him up, but I didn’t bat an eye.
“Listen—”
“Aldridge is that you?” Just what we needed, Jemini stirring the pot.
“Ms. Irwin, how are you?”
“Jemini, you can still call me Jemini. And I’m not doing as good as you with your hundred-million-dollar contract.” She walked into Aldridge’s chest, offering a warm hug.
“It’s nice to see you again.”
