Page 65 of Brides and Brothers
“Ouch, that’s harsh. I’m not following exactly. Did something happen between you and Derek?”
“You mean Benson didn’t tell you about last night? I told Derek no, as in we’re done. Of course, I gave him my answer over dinner, and when he freaked out, I couldn’t stay. The next thing I know, I’m walking home in ten-degree weather with only my jean jacket to keep me warm. It was about the worst idea ever. Benson happened to be driving by, and when he saw me and pulled over to pick me up, you’d think I would’ve been relieved, but I wasn’t exactly in the best mood.”
“Are you okay?” Camille brought her fist to her mouth and whispered a silent prayer for her friend. Ending a relationship was no easy thing.
“It’s rough, but the flowers are helping.”
“Benson should’ve waited a few weeks, at least, before making a move. I would totally understand if it creeped you out a bit.” Camille sighed. She picked the towel up off her lap and folded it, setting it on top of the others. Then she pushed the laundry basket away and propped her feet up on it.
“He sent them as an apology. He told me off for acting all tough about the breakup. I don’t know what he was thinking. Like I would bear my heart to him on a drive home. We’re not even that good of friends.”
Camille tried to piece together what had happened. “He didn’t send them because he’s celebrating that you finally dumped Derek and he wants to ask you out?”
“I’m impressed he cared enough to send flowers, but let’s not jump to conclusions.”
Camille had a sneaking suspicion they were for both reasons. “What kind of flowers were they?”
“Roses.”
“The color?”
“Red.”
“Oh boy. I’ll have to have a talk with that guy.”
Daisha half-coughed, half-laughed. “What? No! The red color doesn’t mean anything. The note said it all. Besides, he likes Emma, remember?”
“Maybe he does; maybe he doesn’t. One date doesn’t mean he’s in love with her. And I think the color does mean something. Just last week Aiden sent me flowers. In his note was the meaning of each color. If you ask me, brothers think alike. I guarantee Benson sent you that kind and color of flower for a reason—the very reason you refuse to believe.”
“Two words for you: Benson and Emma. Benson is way out of my league, and he’s unavailable. I was lucky to have Derek. It’s my own fault that my heart didn’t appreciate him enough to keep him.”
“Was the note with your flowers any good?” Camille tried to squelch her curiosity, but it wasn’t happening.
“He said he’s not the best communicator and apologized for blundering everything. He said he hopes things work out for me... yada yada.”
“That’s sweet!” Camille said.
“Especially after the way I treated him. The timing was awful for me to run into him, and I probably would’ve kicked a dog if I’d seen one.”
“So what’s your game plan?”
“Game plan? I’ll graduate after next semester, hope not to get sucked back home, and maybe try to find a job somewhere in the west.”
Camille could sense her friend’s depressed state from her tone. “Today’s Saturday. You should stuff your textbooks under the bed and come hang out with me. I’ve got chicken in the crockpot, and dinner should be delish.”
Camille heard Daisha sigh. “I would, except I’m not ready to run into Benson again.”
“I could always come to you, if that’s the case. I was planning on bringing something over for Macey and Raina anyway.”
“Oh, why?”
“Because Daegan and Cade dumped them last night.”
“Last night? The four of them were singing quartets in our living room last night. It was so painfully annoying that there’s no way they’re over.”
Camille’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe it! They actuallyfixedthings. I hope it was because they really like Macey and Raina and not because I made them feel guilty.”
“What happened?”
