“What did he do?”

“Well, he has quite a potty mouth, but then, so do you. He paced and swore, and I tried to stop him from running after you because I knew that wasn’t going to be the way to smooth things over.”

“No, I didn’t want to see him.”

“He was a mess. He’s mad about you. I think you should get to know him, the real him, better and give it a chance.”

I frown at her. “Besides, I’ve never seen you act this way about a man before. Don’t give up on this yet.”

“He lied to me, and you know how I feel about that!”

“Oh, Natalie, think. Have you stopped to think that maybe it was a nice change for him to be around someone who didn’t want anything from him?

Who didn’t recognize him and squeal and ask him stupid questions? He was just a normal guy hanging out with a normal girl. I wouldn’t want to ruin that either.”

I think hard about what Jules is saying, and yes, it makes sense.

“He still should have told me, at least yesterday.” I am now sulking, and I don’t care.

“You’re right. Let him apologize.

Maybe you’ll get some good gifts out of the deal. Jewelry? Wine? Flowers?”

She laughs when I stick my tongue out at her.

“Not today.”

“Don’t play games with him, Nat.”

I scowl. “I’m not playing anything.

He hurt my feelings. I just want to hang out with my best friend and do girl stuff today. Besides, when he stormed out of my room, he said he didn’t need this, so I’m assuming he’s no longer interested.”

“Oh, he’s interested,” she waves the thought away with the flick of her wrist.

“Wanna

go

shopping?”

she

asks

hopefully.

“No. Ironically, I want to go to the movies. But nothing with Luke Williams in it.”

“Okay, there’s nothing with his name on it there anyway. I think we deserve extra butter on our popcorn.”

“And no diet soda. And because you recognized him before I did, you’re buying.”

Jules pouts as we gather our things and get in the car, headed to the movies where I can lose myself in someone else’s story for a few hours and spend time with the one person in this world that I trust completely.

Chapter Ten

It’s late when Jules and I get home.

The high-paced action-adventure film we caught - with Vin Diesel no less –was exactly what I needed to escape reality for a few hours. And I ended up giving in to Jules to go shopping afterwards. How can I, Natalie Conner, pass up new shoes? They are my vice.

“Those red Louboutin’s you found are to die for,” Jules and I are pulling bags out of the back of my Lexus.

“I know. I love them. I don’t know when I’ll get to wear them, but I couldn’t resist them.” I reach for the bag of shoes and we head for the front door.

We stop abruptly when we see what’s waiting on our doorstep. Dozens of bouquets of roses, in all different shapes, sizes and colors, are covering the porch, the front steps, every surface possible. The aroma is amazing. There must be fifty dozen roses here, minimum.

“Oh, Natalie.” Jules eyes are wide, and her face gets all gooey, taking it all in.

I can’t help but get just a little gooey with her.

“Wow.” It’s all I can say, and I’m just so relieved. Maybe it’s not over?

We walk up the steps, careful not to knock anything over, and I see an envelope taped to the door with my name written on it.

“Here!” Jules pulls it off and hands it to me. It’s too dark to see well, so we step inside and drop our bags. Jules starts hauling bouquets in.

“Where should I put these?”

“Um… I don’t know. Just put them throughout the house.” Her smile is huge.

“He gets mad props for this, girl.”

“Yeah, he does.” I feel my own wide smile and stare down at the envelope and then carefully rip it open.

Dear Natalie, There is a rose here for every time I thought of you today. I wish you would talk to me and let me explain why I didn’t tell you who I am, and I’m so deeply sorry that you had to find out from your friend. I have a lot of explaining to do, and I hope you give me a chance to make it up to you.

Please call me when you’re ready to talk.

Yours, Luke Oh yes, he’s charming. I tuck the note in my pocket and help Jules bring all of the flowers inside, scattering them all over the house. It looks like there’s either going to be a funeral or a wedding in my living room in the morning, and it makes me giggle.

“See?” Jules smirks. “I told you he’s crazy about you.”

“Or just crazy,” I reply laughing.

“You’d better call him and thank him.”

“Yes, mom.” I roll my eyes at her.

We lock up after the final bouquet has been brought in and fussed over. “Here, take some of these up to your room.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice!” Jules tucks a bouquet under each arm and heads upstairs with her shopping conquests.

I grab my phone, which has stayed turned off all day, my new shoes and a gorgeous arrangement of perfect long stemmed red roses with pearls tucked into the petals and go up to my room. I kick my sandals off, set the vase on my bedside table, and put the new shoes in their new home in the closet. Going back to the flowers, I can’t help but fuss over them and bury my nose in a soft, fragrant bloom. I notice another note, tucked in the stems and pull it out, sitting on the bed as I read.