You look beautiful today. And no, I don't need to see you to know just how stunning you are, GR.
Xox
If I had wanted to hold back my smile, I would have failed. The note, the flowers, everything made my heart absolutely sing, as I absolutely cherished every word written. Pressing the card to my heart I returned to my station as a sense of euphoria filled the rest of my day.
Wednesday Morning
Two equally stunning clear vases greeted me as I entered the salon. Both were filled with two dozen kaleidoscope roses that framed the reception area. My jaw dropped as I stared at another enchanting flower delivery.
"What in the world did Richard do to screw up this badly?" Kari blurted out as she noted my arrival.
Tyler piped up before I had a chance to answer. "Whatever it is, I hope he keeps it up. That man is making this salon look even more beautiful!"
We both laughed and relief spread through me. There was nothing I could think to say since the flower deliveries were certainly not from my fiancé. It didn't matter that I had been working very hard to let others into my life, this secret was one I wanted to keep to myself. Things were still off with Richard at home, and I found myself waking up jittery with the anticipation of receiving another note. It was by far the highlight of my day and even though I could admit it to myself-I wasn't exactly ready to share that little fact with anyone else.
"Good point," Kari agreed. "But in the future if Devin really screws up, I know to go to Grey for tips on how to keep the man on his toes."
"What do you mean?"
"Do I seriously have to explain?"
"Oh." An awkward strangled laugh broke free from my chest but I quickly tried to cover it up with clearing my throat. Some of the employees, like Eloise, would never think twice about questioning the happenings within my personal life. However, working with your best friends didn't always allow for the privacy one might want. If I continued to come across as uncomfortable and clueless, I knew suspicions would grow and then I'd be done for.
"Well, I suppose it's only because I'm sticking to my guns on this issue. I'm not going to cave the way I usually have and maybe that is just sinking in. He's realizing the way things really did hurt me and that no matter our history, I can't just give in again. For the first time he sees that he might be losing even the mere promise of a happy ending."
It wasn't until after the words of truth slipped from my mind that my answer was far more detailed than I wanted to reveal. Kari's eyes gave away her mutual shock, while a wad of gum almost fell from her open mouth. And that was my cue to walk away. I snatched the card from the bouquets and retreated to my station.
Kacie was styling a woman's long head of hair and from the smile she cast my way I sensed she had been too engrossed in their conversation to catch the one between me and Kari.
"Morning Grey!"
"Hey Kacie, how are you this morning?"
"Doing great, even though I didn't show up to work with hundreds of flowers to brighten my day." The playful attitude made me smile. So maybe she took a mental inventory of all that arrived this week, but at least she didn't seem to suspect anything was off besides what I told them.
"Those roses up front were for you??" The young woman in Kacie's chair asked with a bewildered expression.
I nodded, busying myself with the morning station prep. "Yeah they are."
"You are one lucky woman."
Smiling at her I shrugged my shoulders. "I am, my fiancé really knows how to make me smile."
Kacie and the client seemed to accept that answer at face value, but Kari wasn't convinced. "That's not the way you just made it sound."
Without caving under the pressure of her heated stare I produced the most convincing response I could provide. "We have some things that we are trying to work through together because we love each other. These," I motioned to the vases filling the salon, "are simply a way for him to prove he is hearing me and trying to truly make an effort."
A deep-hearted sigh came from Kacie's client and I smiled at her reaction. "That is what real love is."
"Yeah, exactly … " The words were as forced as my sudden uneasy smile. It struck me all at once, the lies may have been flowing easily, but the price they were paying on my heart was enough to make me sick. I was doing all of this to keep Stefan's actions a secret and in return was making Richard look like fiancé of the century. The act felt harmless in the beginning, but slowly I understood that it was anything but.