Page 10 of Saffron and Secrets

“Thanks for the number,” I say.

“No worries. I'll see you soon.” James exits the car, and when he closes the door, I take a deep breath.

I’m at the florist’s shop the following Friday with the stupidest smile on my face. I get to see her. But the further I walk and linger waiting for Sally to serve me, I realize Ruby’s not here yet.

I'm a little sad. I enjoyed seeing her every week. It was something I looked forward to.

I miss the electricity sizzling between us, our easy chat, the warmth at holding each other’s hand. The charge is unlike anything I’ve experienced, and when she’s around, it’s there. Even in a scary moment. I knew she felt calm with me. Her breathing wasn't quick; she didn’t seem distressed. With her labored breaths, I can only hope it was me who calmed her. And I have to admit, it made me feel good. I like the fact that she can rely on me. I just hope I can figure out what this weird sense she got is before it's too late.

I swallow hard, hating that thought. No fucking way will I let anything happen to her.

“Hi, John,” Sally says, and I turn to face her, grateful she’s taking me away from my thoughts.

“Hi, Sally. I'm here to pick up James's arrangement.”

“Yes, right. I’ll grab it. Come, follow me.”

As I walk behind her, I can’t bite my tongue any longer. “Um, so, Ruby…is she coming in today?”

“Ruby?” Sally asks with a knowing smile before continuing to speak. “Well, she normally does, but she's a little late today. All right, now give me a second, and I'll be straight back with the arrangement.”

“Where does she go on Fridays?” I say a little louder because Sally is walking further away than usual to pick up this week’s arrangement. But as she walks toward me, I see these flowers are taller.

What the fuck has he ordered now?

“She goes to her grandma's house with the saffron and cooks using them every Friday.” Sally smiles at me when she lowers the flowers to the desk.

The knowledge of Ruby warms my heart. A woman who treats her family like that is a woman worth keeping. She's wholesome, beautiful, and everything I could want.

I need to marry someone like her.

I don't know care if she doesn’t have what my parents are after—money and/or a family name.

My stomach rolls at all the thoughts. Why can't love be enough for them? A connection so powerful it makes my heart beat its own rhythm for her.

I grab the flowers with difficulty because of their size. I’m going to tell James these are way too obnoxious; Abigail won’t like these. I know I fucking don’t.

I plaster on a fake smile. “Thanks, Sally. I'll see you next week.”

“See you, John.”

I walk slowly from the shop, hoping I might catch Ruby on my way. But as I step outside and look around, that flicker of hope diminishes.

Maybe next week?

7

Ruby

As I'm almost at Sally’s door, a hand touches my shoulder. I turn around swiftly and press down on the can of pepper spray I bought myself.

“Ah, fuck,” he screams.

Shit! No, that's John.

Horrified, I watch as John bends over and furiously rubs his eyes, still cursing. I’m frozen on the spot, unable to move to help him.

“What the fuck?” he says.

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