I put the phone back up to my ear and write the note and the phone number he rattles off. “Okay, and do you want me to write who it’s from?”
“No, that’s okay.” He pauses. “She’ll know who they’re from.”
“Okay, and the delivery address.”
“1342 North State Road 94,” he says.
“Got it, and—” I stop, staring at the address.
“Cooper,” I sigh.
“Hey Mae, I hope you enjoy the flowers,” he says and hangs up the phone.
I stare at the little note I wrote to put in the bouquet. I didn’t recognize his voice over the phone. It’s not like I memorized it, even if I wanted to.
He bought me flowers.
I smile and rip the order sheet from the pad and tack it on the cork board so I can see it every morning.
I should refund his card.
But he went to all this trouble.
Instead of refunding his card, I take the gift for what it is and make myself a bouquet.
***
When I get home, I make myself some chicken and go through the stack of DVDs sitting in the entertainment center while mentally cursing myself for not calling the internet service to see if I can get satellite. I’m tired of the internet dropping in and out while I’m working on my accounting job. It’s making everything slower, and I can’t sacrifice the time delay.
My phone dings, and I slideTop Guninto the player and hit play.
When I sit on the couch, I grab my phone to check the text, and it’s from an unknown number.
Unknown: Have you thought about your answer?
Mae: I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong number.
Unknown: Did you enjoy the flowers?
Cooper. I add him to my contacts and respond.
Mae: I did, thank you. That was unnecessary.
Cooper: I wanted to do it.
Cooper: Sooo…
I stare at the screen and glance at the flowers he bought me, sitting in a vase on the side table next to the chair beside it. I picked some of my favorites and tried something new because I could. The gesture was sweet. No one has ever done something like that for me before.
Mae: How did you get my number?
Cooper: I see June nearly every day. She gave it to me because I begged her for it.
Mae: I see…
For some reason, I’m not bothered that he asked June for my number. I think if it were anyone else I would be, but part of me likes that he has it now. Though I’m wondering if it might backfire based on this current conversation.
Cooper: Take your time. Let me know.
