Page 20 of Shadows in Bloom

White flashes in front of my eyes. I blink a few times, clearing the haze. Seb’s waving something in front of me. “You gonna read this or what? I wanna know who they’re from.”

“What?” I ask, shaking my head to clear the fog. I have to fucking focus. I can’t lose my shit this time.

“The note. That came with the flowers.”

“Oh. Yeah. Right.” Each word is stilted, like the promise of a note doesn’t swarm my insides with the poison it promises. I take it from Seb with a shaking hand, ignoring his inquisitive stare as I peel open the small envelope.

Fiona,

This is cheesy, but I figured maybe I have a right to be. I loved the other night, and I want to see you again. Please say yes.

(This is my way of asking you out, just so we’re clear.)

Sorry if you don’t like the flowers, I don’t know your favorite. Another thing for me to learn.

—Jamie

“Holy fuck.” The relief that blooms inside my chest is instant. I choke out a sob, my hand flying to my mouth to catch it, but it spills out regardless. Seb’s on me in a second.

“What’s wrong? Who do I need to kill?”

I meet his hazel eyes with tears in my own. “No. No, this is good. It’s, uh, they’re from Jamie,” I whisper. I never thought I could see flowers as anything but devastating again, but… “Jamie got me flowers. She wants to see me again.”

Seb’s face lights up as he whoops loudly. “Fuck yeah.” I laugh along with him, dragging my fingers under my eyes, trying not to smear my makeup any more than it already is.

“Yeah, I didn’t think she was gonna ask me, but she did.” I hesitantly reach for the flowers, stroking a finger over one of the buttery-soft petals. “These are lovely.”

“Well…” he prompts.

“What?”

“Are you going to call her or what? I’m on the edge of my seat here!” I snort, shaking my head.

“Of course, you are,” I mutter, but I pull my phone out and hit call on Jamie’s number. We’ve texted a few times since she left the other morning, but I haven’t heard her voice since then.

“H-hey, Fiona.” There’s a creak of a chair, followed by the sound of muffled footsteps, then the line goes quiet with static.

“Yes.”

There’s a pause. “Uh. Yes…?”

“To you asking me out. I hope you’re prepared to woo me.”

“Well, I’ve set a low bar. Can’t really fuck this up, can I?”

My face hurts from the force of my smile. “That’s the spirit.”

Jamie huffs, and the line goes quiet for a minute. “I have to work this weekend, but what about next?” she asks hesitantly.

“Yes.” I don’t even know if I have to work, but fuck it. Seb will cover me if I do.

I wish I could see Jamie’s smile, but I settle for the sound of her breath. “All right… good. I, uh, I’ve gotta get back to work.” A pause. An intake of breath. “But I’ll text you?”

“You better.” Softer this time, I say, “Bye, Jamie.”

“Bye, Fiona.”

I slip my phone back into my pocket, smiling softly. Seb’s leaning against the counter, head cocked to the side with his bottom lip jutted out. “Awe, that was so cute,” he sings.

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