Page 32 of Only You and Me

* * *

BEN

I was angry and jealous when I thought Trina had something going on with someone else. But now I’m worried. I stand from my chair and retrieve all four cards from the floor before going and sitting next to Trina on the couch, sure to give her plenty of space.

I look closely at each card. “The cards were all typed, no handwriting. Two are from local florists and two are from online services.”

“What does that mean?”

“Maybe nothing. But it gives me somewhere to start if you’ll give me the okay to check into this. I think we should tell your chief.”

“No.” Her voice is firm. “I don’t want anyone else to know. Not Emily and Fitz, and certainly not the chief.”

“Trina—”

“No, Ben. I’m serious. It’s important to me that no one else knows unless this person actually does something more. But I want it to stop. So, if you can look into it, off the record, and figure out who it is so we can make them stop, I’d appreciate it.”

It’s not as much as I think we should do, but at least she’s letting me do something, so I nod. “Okay. I’ll let you know what I find out. Hopefully, I should have some answers by the end of the day today or tomorrow. I’ll reach out when I do. Can I keep the cards for now?”

“Sure.” Trina stands from the couch and looks around the room awkwardly. “I should go. Thanks for helping me with this. And… I’m sorry I yelled at you when I first got here.”

“It’s okay.” I walk her outside and watch as she gets into her car and pulls away before I go inside and grab my work bag and the cards, then head out.

I’ve got a few florists to visit.

Four hours later, I’m frustrated and even more worried. I’ve learned that someone purchased the bouquets anonymously and paid for them with different pre-paid, disposable credit cards. Translation: untraceable.

When I called Trina to tell her I had news, she agreed to meet me, shockingly in public, at Pat’s Diner of all places, to discuss it. As I sit and wait for her, I can’t help looking around and remembering that night all those years ago when I hurt her.

“God, I was such a dumb kid back then. Too prideful to realize what I had.” I mutter to myself.

I glance up when I hear the bells on the door and Trina walks in.

She sees me immediately and makes her way to my booth, sliding onto the red-plastic seat across from me and clasping her hands together.

She’s about to open her mouth to speak when Flo, the server who has been here for fifteen years, approaches us. As soon as she sees it’s Trina sitting with me, she stills. “Oh.”

I stiffen, waiting to see how Trina will react. Fortunately, she smiles at Flo and chuckles. “What’s wrong Flo? Feel like you’re in the Twilight Zone, seeing the two of us in the same booth?”

“You know it, Captain. It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen you together in here. It’s nice. You’re two of my favorite kids.”

“Well, first, I told you to call me Trina, not Captain. And?—”

“No, young lady. You earned that title and I’ll be damn sure when I’m around that everyone knows you’re a boss.” Flo smiles and the crinkly skin around her mouth becomes more prominent.

Trina returns her smile with a radiant one of her own, and I grin, watching their interaction. It’s not often I get to see the playful side of Trina.

“And I’m not a kid anymore. I’m in my thirties. Ben and I simply have mutual business today. Nothing more.”

Flo gives her a toothy grin. “Well, you two will always be kids to me. It makes my day seeing you both. You eatin’ or just your usual today?”

“Only my usual, no food for me. Ben?”

I smile and gesture at my coffee mug. “I’m good. Thanks, Flo.” When Flo walks away, my smile fades. “I don’t have great news.”

“Tell me anyway.” Trina’s posture straightens, she folds her hands together on the table, and it’s obvious she’s preparing herself for whatever I have to say.

“Someone purchased all the bouquets anonymously and paid with untraceable pre-paid credit cards. So, there’s no way to track who it is. And—” I pause, not sure how to say what I have to say next.

---