39. Rose
ROSE
Coffee. That is all I can think about right now as I peel my eyes open. I almost feel hungover even though I didn’t have a drop of alcohol last night, and I have a weird pain in the back of my neck.
In hindsight, I should’ve washed my face before curling up in bed and crying myself to sleep, and now I have to face Dante this morning.
I haven’t cried myself to sleep in years, but at least before, I knew I was crying because I missed Luc.
Now, I just feel numb and alone. I need to finish this job and maybe go on a vacation somewhere to clear my head.
I feel like a zombie as I go through the motions of showering and getting ready this morning.
I spend a few extra minutes in the steaming shower, hoping it will help the puffiness the tears left in my eyes.
I pull on a black power suit, something I used to hate wearing when I was with Franklin & Sons because I felt like it muted my personality, but today, it feels like it fits my somber mood and properly conveys I’m not to be messed with.
Head held high, I confidently march down the stairs and into the kitchen, fully prepared to come face-to-face with Dante, but instead, I’m met with silence and a fresh latte on the kitchen island next to a folded piece of paper.
I let the falsely confident mask drop from my face as I cautiously approach the latte and paper.
There is still steam rising from the liquid in the cup, so it must be very fresh, but Dante is nowhere in sight.
I guess he didn’t feel like facing me this morning, which is just fine with me.
I have a lot of work to get done today with several more deliveries to sort out.
After a moment of indecision, I pick up the paper and slowly unfold it like a snake is going to jump out of it or something, but instead it’s just neat handwriting in black ink.
Rose,
I have to go into the city today for a meeting, so I will be out all day. I will return in time for dinner. If you are available, I’d like for you to join me this evening. Call or text if you need anything.
- Dante
He actually asked me to join him for dinner, and it wasn't communicated like his usual demands are. I’m so stunned that my first mental response is to say yes.
Instead, I take a sip of the latte he left for me, savoring the delicious caramel flavors, and decide I will take a few hours to think. I don’t have to respond right away.
Luckily, I have a lot of work to keep me busy. Sipping on the latte he made me, I grab my tablet, start making notes for the day, and pull up tracking for all my deliveries.