Page 4 of Saffron and Secrets

I suck in a deep breath through my nose and breathe out through my mouth, needing to calm the tension that’s running through me. The silly job is keeping me happy and busy at the moment while I try to figure out the next step in my career.

“I won’t take your offer.”

“Why? She’s perfect and you're not getting any younger.”

I close my eyes and bang my head repeatedly on the headrest.

“What’s the point of this call? I need to take James’s call.” Even though he isn’t calling, I need to end this conversation now.

“Will you come for dinner on Sunday? Your sister will be here.”

I sigh, feeling the tension melt away at the mention of my little sister. “Yeah, I’ll be there. I gotta go, but I’m not talking about this tonight. I won’t change my mind.”

She sighs and mumbles, “Fine. See you at five. Don’t be late.”

“Yes, Mother.” I hang up and throw the phone.

I have met this woman a few times that Mom wants me to marry, and while she seems nice, there’s nothing romantic between us. Mom keeps telling me that this woman is happy to marry me, but I can’t reciprocate, and it pained me to have to tell her that, but I can’t fake a marriage with a woman I felt nothing for. It’s not me. I’m not about to pretend or force myself to like her because it’s not fair to her either. She deserves someone to love her. And that will never be me. I’ve seen my friend fall in love, and it might not be something I’m looking for because I’m trying to find myself, but the way he looks at her is full of adoration and love, so if I’m going to get married, it’s to someone I feel like that for. If it’s meant to be, it will come…and I’ll know it.

4

Jonathan

“You didn’t order those same flowers, did you?” I say into the phone in a hushed voice. I don’t want the florist thinking I’m hating on her flowers. James will kick my ass if he can’t order his precious flowers for Abigail anymore.

I peer around and browse past the cabinets along the sides of the shop, wondering what’s on there. There are new items this week, and I can’t help but look while I’m on the phone.

“No, you’ll be happy to know I chose something else,” he taunts me in an amused voice. I don’t know if last week's allergic reaction will ever live a day down.

I grumble into the phone, “I’ll have you know I don’t trust your choices now.”

James chuckles. “If this one isn’t good either, how about I make you a deal?”

I stop browsing and lift my head, liking the sound of this. “I’m listening.”

“You can choose the next arrangement.”

I snort. “That sounds fucking awful.”

James’s laugh bellows in my ear, and when he recovers, he says, “Well, that’s all I got for you. Now shut up and go give my girl her flowers.”

“Fine. I’m on it.”

As I look up toward the desk, I see her. Her dark hair is straight today…and it looks fresh. Like she stepped out of the hairdresser’s.

I run my hand through my hair, and my feet are moving, closing the distance and pushing me in her direction. I hang up and stuff the phone inside my pocket. She doesn’t notice me approach, because she’s too busy taking in the different flowers.

She has dark jeans, a navy top, and sneakers on today. I love this effortless look. She’s sexy without even trying, unlike most girls in my parents’ circle.

This is my type—a woman who can be casual and herself. I’m sick of women coming on to me for my looks and money. No, I want something real. A real woman. And there’s something real about the woman who I’m now standing behind. She turns and looks up with wide eyes before her face softens in recognition.

I can’t help but smile like a goofy kid at her. “Hey.”

She offers me a smile back and a cute, “Hi.”

I glance at the flowers in her hand and frown when I realize they aren’t her usual purple saffron flowers, but just simple red roses.

“You’re looking at something other than saffron.” I point at her bundle.

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