Page 97 of Savior
“A fluke!” I tease her, when suddenly the bells on the front door chime as someone enters.
“I’ve got a delivery for a… Giovanna Vettriano?” A man says, holding an enormous bouquet of black roses. In the center of them all, a single white peony.
“That’s me.” I say, stepping forward and grabbing the pile of calendars off Laura’s desk so he can place them down.
“Sign here.” He says, rather gruffly, holding out a tablet. I hand the calendars off to Laura, and the moment I’ve swiped my signature with my finger, he’s out the door as fast as he came in.
“From Dean?” Laura asks, admiring the impressive arrangement. “These had to cost a small fortune.”
“They must be.” I say, searching for the card. There doesn’t appear to be one.
“Did you just tell him you’re pregnant?” Ethan asks. “Black roses are an odd choice, if so…”
“No, he’s known for weeks now.”
“Well, they’re beautiful.” Laura says, still in awe. “I could have sworn they were made of black velvet and leather, but these are real roses.”
“See if you can find a card somewhere. I’ll be right back.” I say, walking to the breakroom to get my cellphone from my purse. I retrieve it and take a photo of the bouquet, texting it to Dean.
“There’s nothing. No card anywhere.” She says.
“Maybe you have a secret admirer!” Ethan teases. “A rich one!”
“No, this has to be Dean.” I insist. He knows I was impressed with the rose I found in Myrtle Beach.
“Well, you know what they say about men and flowers.” Ethan says. “If it’s not an anniversary or celebration, they either fucked up, or are about to fuck up.”
“They really are stunning.” I sigh, touching the velvet soft petals.
“These had to be a special order.” Laura says. “Our local florist doesn’t keep anything like this on hand.”
“Well, there are probably fifty of them, take a few if you’d like.” I say to both Laura and Ethan. “I’m going to put my cellphone back and finish unpacking the crystals.”
“Oh, about those pregnancy crystals,” Laura calls back to me as I enter the breakroom through the purple curtain.
I place my phone back in my purse in my cubby. “What about them?” I ask, walking back to the box of inventory Ethan and I were working on.
“Let me have a special bracelet made for you. There are quite a few stones to incorporate, and a bracelet would do nicely.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I was just asking as a way to break the news.”
“No. I’m doing this. You don’t get a say.” Laura insists, taking a seat behind her desk at her laptop once again.
There’s no use in arguing with her. I let out a sigh and get back to restocking the specimen shelves.
“I found it!” Ethan announces, the bells on the front door jingling again as he opens, then slams it shut. Walking into the main room, he’s holding up a small envelope. “It must have fallen off outside.”
“Are they from Dean?” I ask.
He gives me a wry look as he walks over, handing me the card. “I’m not that rude.” He insists. “But feel free to read aloud to the class.”
I take the envelope, rolling my eyes back at him as I remove the card from within. “Dear Vanna,” I read aloud for them. “Happy Belated Birthday… and deepest apologies… for my less than enthusiastic congratulatory response to your news… I know you’ll be a wonderful mother… signed, D.”
“Dee?” Ethan echoes.
“Yes, the letter D. Just… D.”
“Well, that’s certainly not your Dean. What other D’s do you know?” Laura asks.
