AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER SEVEN
BLAKE
After leaving Lily, I return to the office.
Mrs. Park makes reservations for me at my favorite restaurant, L'Artusi. My family loves eating there. I've never brought anyone there with me. It's special to our family.
Just like the last couple of days, I can't concentrate on work. Time moves slowly. I cut out of work at five-thirty and hit the gym before getting ready to pick Lily up. I need to release some pent-up energy. While I'm lifting weights, I can sense someone behind me. I lay the weight down and turn around. Both of my brothers are grinning ear to ear like the jackasses they are.
I barely glance at them. "Do you guys need anything?" I return to my weights and ignore them. That doesn't stop them.
Rob says, "What do you think my big brother is up to? Didn't he work out with us this morning?"
"Yes, he did," Noah replies.
Rob stage-whispers, "I don't know, but word around the water cooler is that my big brother has a date tonight."
I want to kill Noah, since he knows exactly what is going on and is just egging Rob on for fun. I've had enough. I drop my weights and turn to glare at both of them.
"Enough."
I glance at my watch. I have to get ready for my date, so I grab my towel and water bottle, then look over at my brothers.
"I would introduce you to her, but I'm afraid you'll scare her away."
I leave it at that and rush off to my place to get ready.
* * *
My driver, Ben, is waiting for me beside the car when I walk out of the building. I don't have to give him Lily’s address since he drove me there earlier today.
I realize as we near her place that I should have gotten her some flowers. I don't want to come empty-handed. We are only a couple of blocks away when I notice a flower shop ahead.
"Ben, pull over."
He barely stops before I hustle out of the car. Need to hurry. Don't want to be late. I look around the flower shop. There are too many selections. Believe it or not, I've never been in a flower shop before, but it looks like a flower bomb blew up in here. I can't decide what to get Lily. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. I remember now that all my flower selections for my mom went through Mrs. Park.
A nice older lady walks up to me. She has a grandmotherly vibe about her, with gray hair and an apron that says Flower Power on it.
"Can I help you?"
"I need some flowers for my date. I don't want roses." I always think roses are impersonal. I think Lily would like something with color.
"I just made up a few arrangements. Maybe you'll like one of them."
She leads me to the back of the store to a table where several arrangements are arranged in vases. I like one in particular. It has tulips in a variety of soft colors. I thought about the arrangement of lilies, but that's too easy.
I pick up the vase of tulips. "I like this one the best."
I hand it over to her. She rings me up, and in no time, I'm back in the car.
I'm knocking on Lily's door with ten minutes to spare. The door opens, but it is Jenny who gestures to me to come in. Bummer.
"Don't worry, she'll be right out."
Jenny encourages me to step further into the room. I have the flowers clutched against my chest when I hear footsteps and see Lily coming down the hall. She takes my breath away. Her little black dress is simple and shows off her curves and long legs. Her hair is pulled up, showing off her long neck and beautiful face. She's not overly done up with makeup, just enough to highlight her features. I think she is the most gorgeous woman. I almost forget to speak I'm so stunned by her. I finally remember the flowers.
"You are gorgeous. These are for you." I hold the flowers out to her. She takes them, and her smile gets bigger.
