“Mmm,” Farrah moaned as her eyes slowly opened, greeting the morning sun shining through sheer drapes covering her wall of windows. She smiled as memories of last night’s activities flooded her mind. Farrah rolled onto her back, prepared to wake Robert in the same manner he’d woken her only a few hours earlier. Instead of finding his sleeping form lying next to her, she found a note on his pillow. A shiver of disappointment cycled through her body as Farrah sprang forward and grabbed the note.
Enjoy your coffee. Had to go into the office and I didn’t want to wake you. See you later, baby.
Within seconds of reading the note, Farrah’s senses were assaulted by the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee, her favorite vanilla roast that she knew she’d been out of.
“Nice move, Robert, going out and getting my coffee,” she said, placing the note on the nightstand.
Farrah slipped into a silk robe and made her way to her kitchen. Before she could cross the threshold from the hall into the open-concept living area, she was met by a large crystal vase with a dozen long-stemmed black roses—her favorites—sitting on the side table in her foyer. A wide smile spread across Farrah’s face as she walked, giggling, toward the beautiful bouquet. She reached for the card and read it out loud. “I really liked that thing you did on that funny-looking baby sofa in your bedroom.” Farrah shook her head. “It’s a chaise,” she corrected, though he wasn’t around to hear it.
Farrah inhaled the wonderful scent of the roses before going into her kitchen. A large cup was sitting next to a full pot of coffee. She poured herself a cup, opened the refrigerator to retrieve the creamer, only to find a platter of fresh-cut fruit and another note. Farrah reached for the note and stood in front of the open refrigerator as she read it out loud, too. “I adore you and I can’t wait to show and tell you how much in person.”
Farrah could feel the tears as they began to well in her eyes. While Robert hadn’t told her that he loved her yet, his actions lately most certainly had. Farrah wiped away the single tear that escaped before reaching for the creamer. She added two teaspoons to her coffee and returned the bottle to the refrigerator. Farrah selected a tiny chunk of pineapple from the plate and popped it in her mouth, then took a seat at her bar. She turned on her iPad, propped it up and dialed her sister. She enjoyed several sips of coffee while waiting for her call to connect.
“Good morning, sis,” Farrah said to the half-awake reflection of herself.
“Good night would be more appropriate,” Felicia replied, sitting up in her bed and adjusting her superhero pajama top.
“You still asleep?”
Felicia frowned. “Still? Farrah, there’s a fourteen-hour time difference. It’s ten o’clock and I’ve been up for thirteen hours. Whatever it is couldn’t wait?”
“Sorry, I keep forgetting. I guess it could wait,” Farrah said.
“No, I’m up now,” Felicia said in a dry tone. “What’s going on?”
Farrah took another sip of her coffee. “Have you seen Fletcher’s email?”
“Yes, we finished things up early so I’ll be flying to Atlanta in a couple of days.”
“You need me to join you?”
“No, I’m good,” Felicia reassured.
“You know not to sign off on any papers until I see them, right?” Farrah reminded, her eyebrows shooting up.
“Yes, of course. Now since you got me up, tell me what’s going on between you and Robert. I hear you’re finally dealing with your feelings for the man,” she asked, adjusting the pillow behind her.
“Who was it, Francine or Paul?”
“Both actually, but that’s beside the point.”
“Not really,” Farrah said, sighing at the thought of the two people she was going to have a long talk with.
“So...” Felicia pushed a wayward piece of hair from her face. “What’s going on? By the look of those beautiful roses in the background, things must be pretty darn good. He knows how much you like a unique flower. That’s a good sign...so let’s hear it, and don’t leave out any details.”
“You mean your triplet radar is off, too?” Farrah asked, laughing.
“Yes, I think Francine’s twins are interfering with our connection.”
“Thank goodness.” Farrah took a quick sip of her coffee. “It can be quite inconvenient at times.”
“Stop avoiding the question and spill before I fall asleep,” Felicia demanded, yawning.
“There’s just so much more to Robert than I ever realized. We all know he’s gorgeous, brilliant, and can make a woman—”
“TMI, sis. TMI.”
“Sorry,” she said, offering Felicia a sheepish grin. “Robert’s not that same playboy we met five years ago. The way he loves and protects his mother reminds me of how we feel about our parents. You should see them together...it’s so sweet. Did you know he designed and built her a house? Of course not, he’s so private about everything,” Farrah said, shaking her head.
“Wow...”
“What?” Farrah asked, frowning.
“Francine was right. You’re in love. Have you told him yet?”
Farrah’s shoulders dropped and she lowered her head slightly. “Not yet. I was going to last night before we got...distracted. Anyway, he hasn’t said anything yet, either.”
“But you know he does, right?” Felicia asked, the concern in her voice mirrored her facial expression.
“I think so...yes, I know he does,” Farrah said, nodding slowly.
“Good. I’m happy for you. Both of you.”
“So, you still keeping men at arm’s length?” Farrah asked with her left eyebrow raised.
“Not intentionally. I’m just busy, not to mention I’ve been on the other side of the world for the last year. Besides, most men don’t want to deal with a nerdy, twenty-eight-year-old virgin,” she said, slumping down in the bed.
“First off, you’re a successful, brilliant doctor doing top-secret research crap for the CIA. Something that doesn’t have to do with men’s inability to get it up.”
Felicia burst into laughter.
“Second,” Farrah continued. “Your virginal status is by choice. It’s not like you’re holding out for marriage or anything. Are you? Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
“No, it’s just never happened for me.” Felicia sank lower in the bed. “And at the rate I’m going, I’m going to be a successful, brilliant spinster.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Farrah chided. “As soon as you take care of this will business, we’ll work on getting you some business.”
Felicia covered her face with her pillow and laughed. “On that crazy note, I’m going to bed.”
“Well, at least you have the right idea.”
“Shut up, Farrah. I’ll call when I get to Atlanta.”
“Okay, good night. Love you,” Farrah said, smiling.
“Good morning and I love you more,” Felicia replied before ending the call.
Farrah closed her iPad, freshened up her coffee, grabbed a few more pieces of fruit and headed to her bathroom. She placed her cup on the counter, pulled her hair up and turned on the shower. Farrah stepped under the spray and began washing away the evidence of last night’s and this morning’s activities when Felicia’s words came back to her. He knows how much you like unique flowers. Yes, he truly did. It was a remark that jarred a long-buried memory.
“Good morning, Ms. Blake,” Ms. Ruthie, the sisters’ temporary assistant, greeted.
“Good morning,” Farrah replied, accepting the messages the older woman held out. “Oh, my, I just love those flowers. Are they yours?”
“Yes,” she replied, smiling.
“Gift from your husband...children?” Farrah asked.
“I don’t have any children,” she replied, breaking eye contact and putting her attention on the bright pink bouquet. “My husband sent them to me. It’s the anniversary of when we first met.”
“That’s so sweet,” Farrah said as she flipped through her messages.
“Thank you. I know this is the last day I’m covering Paul’s desk, but I couldn’t stand to be apart from them. My husband had to go through a lot of trouble to get them for me. I tried to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted.”
“I don’t blame you,” Farrah said as she examined the bouquet. “They’re beautiful and different. Do you mind my asking what kind they are?”
“Not at all,” she replied, taking one of them from the base. “They’re actually from a plant that blooms in late summer, so they had to be special-ordered and flown in. It’s called Ruby Spice, although my husband calls it the Ruby Lee...after me,” she proudly explained.
Farrah’s hold on the soap failed and it landed on the porcelain with a solid thud. “Oh, my God... Ruby Lee.”