Someone approaches the box office. It’s a delivery guy, holding a slender white box. He reads his scanner and says, “Excuse me, is there a—”
“I’ll take that off your hands,” Simon says, grabbing the box from him. He scribbles his name and turns back around.
Alex and I give him a look.
Simon sighs. “Okay, fine, I have a problem. I’m not afraid to admit it.” He holds the box to his ear, shaking it slightly. “Feels like nothing’s in there.”
“Let’s open it,” Alex says, grabbing it from him.
“Alex,” I say.
“Sorry, I’m weak.”
They set the box on the counter, ripping it open. Inside is a single red rose. Simon rolls his eyes. “It’s just a stupid rose. Probably for someone in the cast.”
“What’s the name?” Alex asks.
Simon unfolds the card. Then his eyes go wide again. “Eric Ly?” He turns to me. “Did you order yourself a rose?”
I blink in confusion. “What? No.”
Alex snatches the card. “Someone must have sent it to him,” she says, turning it in her hand. “But it doesn’t say from who… unless…” She pauses to think. Then she looks at me. “You should check your phone.”
“Uh, okay.”
I pull out my phone. There’s a notification on the screen. “Christian just texted me.” I gasp.
Hope you liked my gift
Let me know if you’re free tonight
“What did he say?” Simon moves my arm, glancing at the screen. “The rose is from him? He wants to see you tonight? This is getting serious.”
“What are you gonna say back?” Alex asks.
I stare at the box on the counter. No one’s ever gifted me flowers before. “I don’t know… But I definitely want to hang out again.”
“You totally manifested this,” she says, clasping her hands together.
For the next few minutes, Simon and Alex help draft a response. “Keep the message simple, but a little playful, and no exclamation points,” Simon says. “You don’t want to seem desperate.” Alex advises me to wait half an hour before sending it.
The rose is beautiful, it was very sweet of you.
Would love to see you again tonight
We get back to work at one point, waiting for his response. Christian texts me an hour later, along with an invitation link. One of his friends is hosting an art gallery opening. Simon and Alex insist I leave early to go to the department store and pull together another outfit.
“Send us photos of options,” Alex says.
“You better tell us everything tomorrow,” Simon says.
I take the rose with me on my way out. It takes longer than I expected, but I pick out a blue button-down that Alex approves of. Then I hop on the next train toward Hyde Park, transferring lines halfway through. Christian is waiting for me outside the hotel. He’s dressed in all white this evening, the button of his collar undone, hair flowing in the breeze. He’s as perfect as the sculptures in his penthouse apartment.
“Don’t you look sharp this evening,” he says, putting his arm around me.
I smile. “Same to you.”
Christian glances at the rose in my hand. “You brought it with you.”
