12. White Roses
White Roses
The next three days passed by without much happening.
Both Allie and I were so busy that Monday—the one day we were both in the office—we didn’t get to see each other except for a brief glance as we passed each other in the hallway.
Tuesday and Wednesday, she was booked with meetings most of the day.
We had a huge system outage that took two days to get back up and going for everyone, and even then, some people had some lingering issues.
Today I get to see her since it’s her sister's opening night for her play.
She wanted to be there at least on opening night since it was her senior year and her last play in high school.
Her last first play as Allie explained to me.
It was also going to be the first time I got to meet her sister and her mom too.
Work had calmed down for me, so the majority of my day was spent scouring the employee handbook for any mention of work relationships, so I didn’t focus on the nerves that threatened to overtake me at the thought of meeting her family.
I wasn’t lying to her when I said I didn’t care it was so soon.
It was wanting them to like me and make a good first impression that had me tangled up like a strand of Christmas lights.
After reading through the book back to front more than once, I could guarantee there were zero rules about coworkers dating.
Major win for me. Hopefully.
Thankfully, I was able to work from home today, so I could get ready without rushing.
Scouring my closet, I finally landed on a pair of jeans and a white button-up.
I pulled them and rolled my sleeves up. I sprayed on some cologne, made sure my hair was somewhat tamed, and ran out the door.
I wanted to stop to get Olivia flowers before I picked up Allie.
Quickly swinging into the first spot I found, I threw the car in park and ran into the store.
Scanning over the floral section, there was a pitiful wilted bouquet of peonies in one bucket, a set of sunflowers that were drooping with some little white puff balls mixed in, and a couple of pretty decent-looking bouquets of white roses, so I went with those.
Once I got to Allie’s house, I parked and left the car on, running up to her front door to let her know I was there.
The sun was still out but tucked behind the clouds, casting a gentle glow on her house.
Her rocking chairs swayed back and forth gently from the breeze, carrying the sweet scent of honeysuckle.
Allie swung the door open, and I walked over, pulling her into a hug.
“Hey, handsome. You got here quick. Traffic not too bad, I’m guessing?”
“Nah, it really wasn’t, which surprised me. I left the car on since it’s still warm out, and so we could leave quickly and make it on time.”
“We’re still doing good on time, don't worry. Let me grab my bag quickly.” She leaned up and gave me a quick kiss before heading back inside.
Leaning up against the door frame, I took her in as she knelt to give Dolly a hug and scratches behind the ear, making her promise she’d be good while she was gone.
Allie had on a long, flowy black skirt with a plain white shirt tucked into it, and a pair of sandals.
She scooped her purse and phone from the counter and headed back toward where I was still standing, taking her every movement in.
“Take a picture, it'll last longer,” she shot at me when she caught me staring, and a playful grin spread across her face.
“That attitude of yours is going to get you in trouble one day,” I said as I stepped back and out of her way.
Pulling the door closed, she made sure it was locked and tossed her keys back into her bag.
“I missed you so much,” I pulled her into me when she turned back around, inhaling her coconut scent and kissing the top of her head.
“I missed you too. The days seemed to drag on this week,” Allie said as she squeezed me back.
“That they did, shall we? I can’t make a bad first impression by showing up late.
” Allie walked ahead of me down to my car, her short hair shining in the late afternoon summer sun, and the warm breeze causing her skirt to flutter in the wind.
When it did, I noticed it had a slit up to the middle of her thigh.
I was never more grateful for the southern heat than I was at this moment.
I stepped ahead, opening and closing the car door once she was settled. I jogged around the front, got in and went to buckle up, but stopped when I saw Allie holding the flowers and staring at them.
“Is something wrong? She’s not allergic, is she?
I didn’t even think to check about that.
Shit. We can stop and get more, or if she’s allergic to all flowers, maybe I could get her um, a candy bar?
I don’t know what teenagers are into now, or what one gets someone for a play.
Flowers seemed like a safe bet.” I was rambling now, trying to figure out a solution to something I had already fucked up.
“No, no, it isn’t that. Sorry, it’s just funny, these are Olivia’s favorite flowers.
Our papa always got them for her for any occasion.
When he passed away a few years ago, I made sure I got them for her for every play or ceremony she has.
We even made Lego ones so she’d have one from me forever.
” A small smile spread across her lips as she gazed at them.
Relief washed over me, and I couldn’t help the grin that spread over my face. “Well, I’m glad I could accidentally get her favorite flowers. Maybe it’ll score me some brownie points.” I chuckled as I finished buckling up.
“There’s that ego, I swear, lover boy, you’re full of it sometimes.” She rolled her eyes and did her best not to smile, but was failing.
“Yeah, but you wouldn’t change it, would you?”
“I wouldn't change a thing. You didn’t have to get these, by the way. I was actually going to ask if we could stop so I could get her some before we went to the school.”
“Would you still like to? You said we’re still good on time, right?”
“Yes, we are, so sure, let's stop, and I can grab her a gift card too.”
We headed to the store closest to Maplewood High and went in together.
She decided to do some sunflowers with some green stems mixed in, and then got her a gift card for a coffee place.
After we got out at the school, I carried the flowers in for her, and intertwined our fingers together till we made it inside to where her mom was waiting.
We wove through the crowd over to where she was tucked against a wall out of the main crowd.
She was looking down at her phone with glasses perched on her nose when we walked up.
“Hey Mom, is everything okay?”
“Oh yes, just worn out from work. I’m glad you could make it tonight,” she turned toward me. “And who do we have here?” Her mom pushed her glasses up to the top of her head as she turned to take me in.
“Mom, this is Spencer, my, uh…” Her eyes darted between us, uncertainty dancing across them, unsure of how she should introduce me.
Maybe we should have discussed this a little more.
I was about to answer for her when she spoke again.
“This is my friend Spencer. Spencer, this is my mom, Donna.” Whenever we had a moment alone, I would have to let her know about my findings—or lack thereof—in the handbook, and hopefully we could change the friend status if she was ready.
I stuck my hand out to her, “Hi, Ms. Roberts, it’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Oh no, no, that makes me feel old, call me Donna.” She laughed as she shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Is Allie being nice to you? She can be a real handful.” Her mom stepped back, and a smirk played on her lips as she wagged her finger in Allie’s direction.
“Oh my god, Mom. I regret this already.”Allie ran her hand down her face, annoyance lacing her voice.
“What? It’s a fair question, I know where your attitude comes from.” Donna cocked an eyebrow at her, and I swear it was like looking at an older version of Allie, just with blonde hair.
“There has been minimal attitude so far, I promise. She’s been very sweet to me.”
“Minimal attitude?!” Allie’s brows shot up as her head whipped in my direction.
“I mean to be fair, you do have a bit of an attitude.” I was playing with fire by teasing her like this, but I couldn’t resist. Seeing her heated up was a fun sight, and I knew this was only a taste.
“This is so not fair. That’s it, I'm going to find our seats so y'all can stop picking on me.” She went to walk off with a little huff, and I could’ve sworn I heard her mumble about someone needing to watch out or they’d regret it or how she’d show them some attitude. God, I loved her sass.
“I think not, pretty girl,” I twirled her back to face me and lightly kissed her. “We’ll go find our seats together. I’ll be good, I promise.” She huffed and rolled her eyes again. “Friend, huh?”
“I’m sorry, I panicked, and I didn’t know. It seemed like the safest option.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, and a blush was spreading over her cheeks. Leaning over and placing a kiss on her cheek, I laced our fingers together and let her lead me through the theater.
Maplewood had two sets of schools. One for those who lived in the city limits, and those who lived in the county limits. We lived in the county, so I didn’t go to Maplewood High, but to the rival school, Maple County High.
We headed down the middle aisle, my head on a swivel, taking the large theater in.
This one was much nicer than my high school.
The ceilings were tall, with rows of cushioned seats, and long velvet curtains with golden trim on the stage looked expensive.
Along the middle section of the back wall sat an entire sound system, and there was an area in front for a small orchestra as well.