Chapter 27 Rose
Looking in the mirror, I laugh at the cheesiness I see on my own face. My cheeks are flushed from all the time in the sun this morning, and I have grass stuck in my hair from god knows what. It’s already been thirty minutes since I left Wes’ car and I can’t get this ridiculous smirk off my face. Even when we were younger, Wes was always kind, thoughtful, and loving, but our whole night was something from a dream. I know I’ve been hesitant, and unsure about things with him after so long, but I’m starting to see he’s still the same guy at heart. How, after all this time, are we both in a place where this might work?
As much as I try though, I can’t shake this worry, this nagging feeling like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop and I’m not sure why. I tell myself that it’s just anxiety, remnants from the past. I do some deep breathing, put on some quiet music, and I try to shake it off as I continue to get ready—doing my makeup, and feeding Wilfred. He had quite a lot to say about my being gone all night, but it’s nothing an extra few treats can’t fix.
I almost jump out of my skin when my phone buzzes.
Lucy : Get to the store NOW.
I instantly grab my keys while simultaneously calling Lucy’s cell. I’m already in the car before she answers.
“What’s going on? Is everyone okay?” I ask, exasperated. My mind went to the worst places as a result of her message and I’m anxious to hear her response.
“Wes stopped by . . .” she says, slowly. “He left a gift for you.”
My breath catches. Instantly relieved, I pull my foot off the gas pedal slightly.
Not a true emergency.
“A gift? For me.”
“Yeah, it’s all wrapped up and I can’t see what it is, so you need to get here now. Also, are you with him now? Like together? You need to fill me in.” Lucy’s excited voice helps calm my nerves, but now I feel a different sort of anxiousness.
“I’ll be there in ten.” I hang up the phone and the cheesiness returns. He left a gift for me. Instead of continuing through his day, he chose to get me something special. I can’t help but turn the radio up and sing my heart out with the windows down as I drive to the store. It feels like it’s going to be a great day.
I drive a little faster than I should, I’ll admit it, but I can’t believe he left a gift for me. How did he do this and when did he have time? I’m going to interrogate Lucy when I get there. But first, I have to see what the gift is.
Lucy meets me at the door with a big smile on her face. Sitting on the counter is the biggest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen. They’re all wildflowers. I had mentioned off-handedly last night that I loved them and he must have gone back to grab them for me this morning. My eyes sting with tears at the thoughtfulness of his gesture, but then Lucy hands me a small bag with a box and note.
I open the note and read.
Dear Rose,
Last night was amazing and I wanted to get this as a thank you for being a light in my life, even when I wasn’t in yours. You are incredibly beautiful and I know I’m the luckiest man. I’ll see you tomorrow.
- Wes
This was so unexpected and while I think I’m definitely overtired from last night’s activities, my emotions get the better of me. It was just so sweet of Wes to do this for me.
“Wow, that must have been some night.” Lucy laughs, chiming in as I wipe my eyes. “You’ve got to teach me whatever you did.” Bursting out laughing, she gives me a hug and offers to get me some tea while giving me some privacy to finish opening the gift.
Unwrapping the little box, a small, moon pendant falls out. It’s classic, but dainty—a perfect match to my uncomplicated style. The gold chain feels delicate as I pull it over my head. It lays just below my collarbone and I look in a nearby mirror to assess it.
“It’s gorgeous.” Lucy hands me a cup of tea. “It’s a perfect match to your look, too. What do you think?”
“I love it. I can’t believe he did all this. He was exhausted already from the bad storm the other night and all they had to take care of at the park, plus the continued clean up, let alone after our night . . .” I stifle a giggle, and a blush works its way up my cheeks, but Lucy and I have talked through a lot worse than this. “And I’m sure he has a ton of clean up to do today too.” I shake my head in disbelief.
“What did you do on your date?”
“Well, it wasn’t supposed to be a date. But, first we went to Dan’s and it was nice, but then Joe was our waiter and had a huge blow up. That part was actually awful. I don’t think I want to see him again any time soon.” Looking over at Lucy, I can see she’s got something to say and I bob my head, silently asking her to say whatever it is she’s holding in.
“He actually stopped by earlier looking for you too, it seemed weird so I told him you wouldn’t be in today.” Lucy always seems to be able to read people and knows when something is off.
“Oh my god, thank you.” My hand flies to my mouth in disbelief. “You always seem to have an intuition about things like that.” I look down at the necklace, lost in thoughts and feelings of Wes and all that’s happened in the past twenty-four hours. “Do you have any ideas or feelings about this Wes thing?”
Lucy looks at me thoughtfully before saying, “I feel good about him, truly. I mean, I don’t know him like you all do, or did, but he seems kind and sweet. And you’ve lit up since he’s been back.” She reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze as a new customer comes in—leaving me alone with my thoughts and to my present. I finger my necklace again, turning it over in my hand as if it will reveal something new to me, but sigh instead.
Wes Stevenson, you have certainly grown up.