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I knew that not going would raise questions, but I just didn't want to talk to Landon this morning. If he wanted to, he could have avoided telling them why I wasn't there. But he didn't. He told all of them about his mistake.
Part of me felt bad for doing that to him, but another part of me was smug about it. He completely forgot me, and having to tell our friends was the least he could do to make up for it.
But I wasn't going to think about him anymore today. I would get over the hurt feelings soon enough, and things would go back to normal. I'm sure it would take a few days to soothe the sting, but I would be fine. My friendship with Landon would be fine.
I went about my day at work, minding my business in my cubicle. It wasn't a glamorous work setup, but it got the job done and gave me enough privacy to look at memes without being stared at. However, it didn't hide when a delivery man walked in with a massive bouquet of flowers and was directed by the office secretary. He headed down my work aisle.
"Delivery for Isabella Sterling?" He said, and everyone started giggling as my mouth dropped open.
"Um, yeah, that's me," I said, motioning for him to put them on the open spot on my desk.
He nodded and set them down before walking back to the exit.
"Flowers?" Danika, the girl across from me exclaimed, standing so she could see over the divider between our desks. "I didn't know you were seeing anyone, Bella!"
I laughed nervously, feeling everyone's eyes on me. "I'm not. Not really. I have a date this Friday, but I didn't expect him to send me flowers."
"They're so pretty!" Someone said.
"And huge!" Someone else added. And that they were. Yellow tulips, red carnations, and other flowers I couldn't really name were bundled into a tall vase, the flowers flowing out of the top of them and bursting with color. These had to have cost a fortune, and I honestly wasn't sure how Zach knew where I worked. I knew it was a small island, and I told him what I did, but I guess he had the internet sleuthing skills of a teenage girl.
I pulled the little white card that was stuck in between two flowers out, dipping it open where no one else could read the message.
As soon as I saw the handwriting, I knew my facial expression was full of shock. Quickly, I tried to cover up my reaction to seeing familiar writing and a few lines of words.
"What does it say?" Danika asked, leaning over as if she would be able to see the note.
I folded it back up quickly, shrugging my shoulders with a smile. "Just that he's excited for our first date on Friday."
"If he's already sending flowers, he must be a great guy!"
"Or he's just trying to impress her because he's actually a terrible guy."
"No, that arrangement is too big for him to be a bad guy. Sucky guys don't just send massive bouquets…"
I let the conversation between my coworkers drown out as everyone sat back down. Looking around, I opened the card again and read the sloppy but readable script.
I know you're mad. And I'm sorry. What I did sucked, and I know these don't make up for me being a terrible friend, but I hope they at least make you smile. Landon.
Even though I wanted to hold all of the anger I had for Landon in my chest, I just couldn't. A small smile formed on my face as I put the note in my desk and situated the flowers.
Despite the flowers, I still wasn't ready to face Landon. I didn't know how I would react to an apology, and I certainly didn't know if I would be able to keep my mouth shut about Tiffany and her catty ways.
Instead of being a mature adult and dealing with this head-on and getting it over with, I avoided Landon like the plague. Instead of going home, I stayed at the library until it closed, and then snuck in the back door of the house and locked myself in my room. Because that was the most reasonable plan of action for me.
I repeated the same procedure Thursday morning and afternoon, and Friday morning. Unfortunately, there was no way I could avoid him Friday night. Maybe it was the time passed, or the fact that I was going on a date, but I felt more confident in myself and my abilities not to get upset if Landon decided that we would talk about it.
I left work on time and went home to get ready for the date. Not surprisingly, Landon wasn't home when I got there. While I curled my hair and did my makeup, though, I heard the front door open and close, and the telltale noises of Landon making coffee. Nervously, I continued getting ready and listened as he talked on the phone. I had no idea what he was saying, but hearing his voice assured me that it was indeed Landon and not a stranger breaking in and making themselves at home.
I put on a black dress and a pair of matching wedges, a perfect outfit for tonight. It was in between casual and dressy, and since I didn't know where we were going, it would be versatile enough to fit in anywhere.
Looking at the time on my phone, I realized I had about ten minutes before I needed to leave to meet Zach at The Pink Bakery. Grabbing my small black purse, I left my bedroom to get a drink of water. The second I stepped out into the hallway, I made eye contact with Landon. His eyebrows shot up when he saw me, and we both stopped. Silently, he just looked me up and down, and I wondered what he was planning on doing this far down the hallway. Definitely coming to talk to me.
"Belle, you look amazing," He complimented, a smirk pulling at his lips.
I grinned, smoothing my hands over the front of the dress. "Thanks!"
"Going out with your sister again tonight?" He asked, and I immediately barked out a laugh and rolled my eyes. Of course, he would assume that I was hanging out with Emma.
