Don't Kill For Me, page 2
“Iced white chocolate mocha?” the pleasant redhead greeted, matching my order to my face as I approached the counter.
“Already had one.” I stepped to the side, motioning for her to join me. “Can I ask you a question without ordering a drink?”
“Go ahead.” She clapped her hands together. “If you have a teenager who needs a job, I’m not hiring at the moment.”
“It’s not that.” I checked over my shoulder. No way did I want Ray to sneak up behind me while I inquired about him. That would mortify me. “You know every one at the mall. Even me and I don’t know anyone.” I checked her name badge. “Connie. Would you consider going out with a man if you knew it wouldn’t lead to anything? If he was a nice guy and could use a nice evening out. Would it be too encouraging to him?”
“Are you talking about Ray?” She perked up. “I thought something was up with him. He was nervous this morning. Did he ask you out? Did you say yes? He needs to get out more.”
“Slow down.” I raised both palms and shook them. “I haven’t answered him. I don’t even know if I’m attracted to him.” I leaned over the counter. “Is it wrong to lead him on? Shouldn’t I just nip it in the bud and say no?”
“Ray’s just looking for a distraction. He thinks about his late wife too much.” She greeted a woman parking a stroller behind me. The mom ordered an expresso. Connie gave me one more word of encouragement over the crushing sound of the coffee grinding machine, “Go for it. Just have fun.”
“That’s three yeses. You win, Ray. Guess we’re going on a date.”
#
Chapter Four
“Do you like sushi?” I asked Ray, two hours later as I secured the roll down door to the front of the floral shop. Going ahead with the suggestion of the Japanese restaurant in the mall seemed to be the safest bet. It was convenient and I wouldn’t have to give him too much personal information. Like my address.
“Never tried it, but I’ll do it for you, Eileen.” Ray was a little more jittery than he’d been when he asked me out. He outstretched his hand to put it around my waist, then jerked it back to his side. When he tried again, I gave him a side hug to ease his suffering.
“Don’t be nervous. It’s just dinner.” If Ray didn’t loosen up, the date was going to be a chore. “Consider me a friend. And relax.” I grabbed hold of his shoulders and shook him. He tensed up even more. “I get it.” I backed off, hands in the air. How am I going to get through this evening? I could bolt.
“Have you tried the handmade soaps from the Natural Shop?” he asked, pointing to the storefront.
“I haven’t.” Even his conversation skills were lacking. It’s going to be a long night, I groaned internally.
A well timed text interrupted my suffering. I half expected to get the notification ping at that time of night. The sender knew the mall closed early on Sundays and took advantage of my availability, often.
“Excuse me.” I glanced down at my phone. The text was from Anthony. “Let me answer this. Then I’m all yours, Ray.”
“I understand. You’re a beautiful woman. Of course other men are texting you. I can wait.”
His polite answer sounded like whining and grated on my nerves. I liked a man who took charge. Made his demands clear. Even before the date with Ray had started, it was over in my mind. I still had to go through the motions, give him the night I’d promised, but first I had to deal with Anthony.
Hey, I was going to send you a message. I’m at dinner with a friend.
I sent the text and waited for his reply. I held up one finger and smiled over to Ray who was waiting in front of the store that sold embroidered personalization on linens. Anthony took just a few seconds to respond. I could tell from his answer that I wasn’t getting a break to make the night easier. Anthony was always insistent on getting his way. Even if I said I was busy in the first text, he’d continue the correspondence until I finally gave in to him.
I need to see you. Are you free for six?
It was already after the six o’clock hour. His code, “Are you free for six?” meant he wanted to hookup for sex at a hotel named after sixth street, where it was located. Our quickie early evening meetings relieved his stress. Anthony claimed that helped him deal with an evening at home with his irritating wife.
Can’t tonight. I’m with a friend. Nothing serious, but I can’t cancel on him.
I hated saying no to Anthony. I really, really would’ve much rather been on his arm than Ray’s.
Anthony was everything I looked for in a man. Charming, debonair with silvering temples, broad shoulders, and he owned a decent tailoring business. Not like Ray who basically cleaned bodily fluids off inflatables for a living. I sent another text and hoped Anthony would be a little understanding.
Let’s push for tomorrow. I’ll get off early and make it up to you.
Damn, woman you know how bad I needed to see your sexy curves tonight. I’m desperate. Cut your night short and I’ll make it worth every second.
Before I knew I’d texted it, I responded with, No promises on the time, but I’ll text you when the date is over. Kisses.
That was it. Anthony was my backup plan. Anything goes wrong and I’m out the door to visit a sick friend. Ray would never find out. And Anthony had never been to the mall. Keep them separated and all lies are truths.
“All ready, Ray.” I pushed my phone down into my back pocket, keeping it close in case Anthony tried to convince me to cancel again, later on in the evening.
The restaurant was on the second floor of the mall. I was anxious to get in the door and get the night started. “The online reviews for this place are five star,” I said, approaching the escalator to go up.
“I’m sure the food is excellent.” He pulled me back from stepping on the moving stairs too fast. “Have I told you how beautiful you look under these lights?”
“Thank you, Ray. I appreciate that. But.” I leaned in to whisper. “I’m already on a date with you. You don’t have to flatter me.”
“It’s true. Honest. I’m really excited about getting to know you, Eileen.” He held me tight, pulling me close like it was the end of the world. His eyes ping-ponged back and forth. He opened his mouth like he was going to say more, but didn’t.
“That’s sweet, Ray.” I patted his cheek and twisted away. “We can talk more over dinner.” I motioned with both index fingers to the escalator behind me, turned on my heels, and stepped on. “I hope there’s not a long wait for a table.”
“Me, too,” Ray answered, but his voice sounded vaguely distant. “I can’t do it.”
I looked back behind me and was astonished at what I saw. Ray was standing at the bottom, frozen in place, and blankly staring at me riding up the escalator. “Get on!”
“I can’t! I have a phobia! Forgive me!”
“Take the—” I was near the top and pointed to the mall elevator to my right. “I’ll wait for you up here,” I called down. “Dammit.” I knew something like that was going to happen. Weird phobias followed me like a magnet.
When I reached the top, I peered over the railing and Ray had disappeared from view. Assuming he’d taken the elevator, I walked over to it to greet him. I was still set on continuing our date. If a fear of the escalator was all I had to put up with, then the night wouldn’t be a total waste. I still had a chance to open up and get to know another human being a little better.
The elevator doors opened and shut with no Ray in sight. I waited for the elevator to make another trip up and down, still no sign of him. “Where is he?” Feeling like something had gone seriously wrong, I went back to the escalator. “Did something happen downstairs?”
I was halfway through the ride down when Ray called from the second story railing. “Eileen, where are you going?”
“Where were you?” I yelled back, but from the bottom. I couldn’t exactly hear his explanation. It didn’t matter, he was up there waiting, so I got on the escalator to ride it back up to finish the date. Arriving at the top, I found no Ray. “What the hell?”
Like I did before, I looked over the railing again. There he was, on the lower level, stepping out of the elevator. “Ray!”
“Eileen!”
“Don’t move!” We both said, but neither took our own advice. I sprinted down the escalator as fast as I could. Rounding the corner, I stepped up to the elevator doors in time to watch them shut, with Ray inside.
“Dammit!” I clenched my fists and stomped my foot hard enough to twist my ankle off my heel. “Dammit! Screw it all!” I ripped my shoes off and waited until I saw Ray at the top railing. “This isn’t working! See you tomorrow, Ray!” I blew him a kiss and left for the exit.
“I’m not cut out to be friendly.” On my way out to my car, I texted Anthony. My friend bailed on me. Are we still on for six?
In the parking lot, I stepped back into my shoes and hopefully stared at the glaring light of the small screen in my hand. Anthony was usually prompt with texts. His phone never left his side. He couldn’t afford for it to be far away in case his jealous, spiteful wife saw a text first. I walked slow, but disappointingly made it to my car with no answer from him.
The night was a bust, so I drove home. At the gated entrance of my community of overpriced condos, I noticed another car waiting for the gate to open. Standing at the driver’s side door was one of the porters. I wasn’t sure of his name, just knew that I recognized him from the grounds. After a brief exchange, the driver got out of the vehicle. It was Mr. Bryant, a man I also recognized, but really didn’t know. He retrieved his briefcase out of the back seat and walked to a side pedestrian gate. The porter got in his car, turned it around, and drove it off down the street.
“Excuse me ma’am, Ms. Somers. Sorry about the inconvenience. The front gate is stuck. I’ll park your car via the employee entrance. It will be in your usual spot, but you’ll have to walk through the property to the main building.”
Just like Mr. Bryant, I handed over my valet key, retrieved my belongs, and walked to the side gate. It would’ve been uneventful if it wasn’t for the cat. I’d never seen one roaming the yards. There it was. Black as night and mewing for attention. It looked lonely.
“Sorry,” I apologized to the stray feline. “I’ll make an effort to make it up to you.” The cat seemed to accept my apology and darted off into an opening in the hedge.
At the door to my condo, there was still no answer from Anthony. I was no longer in the mood for company anyway, so I texted a final good night. Guess you found other plans. Some other time.
#
Chapter Five
As far as openings at the store went, Monday was an ordinary one. I raised the gate, turned on the lights, and counted the cash drawer. Before pulling the tall buckets of cheap stems out, I sat down and opened the store laptop.
First, I checked online orders that had come in overnight and filled out the daily project list. We had a retirement bouquet to put together. That was the biggest order; if nothing else came in, it’d be a slow day. “Have Trina call the high schools for their prom dates,” I wrote at the bottom of the sheet.
Next I clicked on my inbox. It was full of junk mail, even though I never gave my email address out to anyone. Still, the store was on all sorts of spam lists. I’d been meaning to unsubscribe, but hadn’t taken the time yet. Every day the task seemed inconsequential compared to other, bigger concerns.
Deleting emails was an exception to my usual get it done attitude. Procrastination wasn’t my friend. Not even on a morning when I was pretty sure a nice man had woken up to feelings I’d hurt. I made sure to take care of that call before Trina arrived for her shift.
“Ray, this is Eileen. I’m sorry.”
“It was my fault. I should’ve mentioned my phobia to you,” he said. Then I heard a high pitched squeal pierce through the call. “Can I call you back? I’m checking in a group of toddlers.”
“Just come down to the store when you’re not busy. We’ll get coffee and talk,” I said and hung up the phone.
“Oooh, who you having coffee with?” Trina asked, coming in the shop door behind me.
“Ray. I had to apologize.” Scanning my employee’s outfit, I quickly surmised that it was not appropriate for work. “What are you doing here and what are you wearing?”
“It’s spring break. No classes. I can work right?”
“If you change your outfit.”
“No prob.” She pulled out a pair of leggings and stepped into them. With her legs covered, she pulled her arms into her blouse, spun it around, and tied a cobbler apron on to cover the plunging neckline that had turned into an open back. “Did you stand him up last night?”
“No, I met him for dinner. We just—got—separated.” I laughed internally at how ridiculous it was that I’d actually walked out on Ray because he got lost on the elevator. “Did you know he has a fear of the escalator?”
“Now that you mention it,” she tapped her lips with her index finger, “I’ve never seen him get on it. Lindsay from—where does Lindsay work this month? Anyway. Lindsay and Connie both refuse to ride the elevator. They say it smells like old lady soap.”
“That’s different, but good to know.”
“I bet you also didn’t know that Connie has her navel double pierced. I want that.” Trina pushed the apron aside and pulled up her blouse. Her belly button was sporting an onyx bead on a silver ring. “One just isn’t sexy any more.”
“That’s enough.” I pushed a bunch of long stems across the work table for her to start trimming. “Can you earn your salary? Or something that resembles work?”
“Okay, but only if you tell me, is Ray a good kisser?” She puckered up.
“We didn’t get that far. How about you? Get another note from your secret admirer today?” I walked to the storage closet to get down a vase for the retirement bouquet, because I really wasn’t that interested in her answer. Also, I knew the notes usually came later in the day. My attempt was to change the subject and get her to stop questioning me about Ray.
“Not yet.” She got up and checked the floor in front of the back door. We found most of them back there, slipped under by the sender, although two had been randomly found tucked in the buckets of stems by the front of the store. Those had been particularly erotic. Trina read the “good parts” to me when she wanted to see me blush. “I’ve been thinking. I bet it’s a mall employee. Eric from security? Or maybe Ray?”
“Hope not. If Ray’s capable of performing the sex moves in those notes, you can have him.”
That was the closest I came to kissing and telling. The life of a mistress meant keeping tall privacy walls erected. Trina, being an inquisitive new adult, had probed me on my love life when I first hired her, but she soon tired of all the vague answers I kept giving her.
I never expressed it, but I was one hundred percent sure the two erotic notes had been written by Isaac and not the secret admirer. The language was different. It didn’t add up, but she enjoyed them. I let her think the harmless author sending her notes about his childhood memories was also a sex machine. Let the girl dream.
#
Chapter Six
A few hours later, Ray still hadn’t came by for his official apology. Wanting to get it over with, I left to find him. “Wish me luck.,” I said to Trina.
Turned out, I didn’t need that much luck. Ray had been rejected enough times that it was too easy to let him down. I immediately felt guilty about being one of the many women who’d disappointed him. I wasn’t really that bad of a person, so I gave him a second chance.
“How did it go?” Trina asked when I returned to the shop.
“We’re going out to Rio’s, the Tex-Mex restaurant, next Sunday.” I sighed and thumped my head against the column near the register. “I’m such a pushover. Did you at least sell anything while I was gone? This day has to get better.”
“Nope, but a letter from the admirer came. Well, it’s sort of a letter. Do you know anyone named Anthony Milan?”
Of course I knew that name. He was my married lover. My eye twitched just hearing my employee mentioning his name in the shop. Why is Trina asking about him?
“Why? Did he call? Come by? Anthony’s in the wedding business. He provides tuxes for grooms.” I nervously repositioned daisies in a completed Happy Birthday bouquet on a nearby shelf. I tried to push the butterflies out of my throat and talk normal. “You remember him. Does he have a lead for us? For a wedding?”
“I doubt it.” Trina pointed to the back work table where she’d left an envelope. “He’s dead.”
“Say that again.” The world stopped at her two words. I listened intently for her to say something other than what she did. I couldn’t have heard her right. “Why would you think he’s dead?”
I just texted him last night. It’s not possible. She’s pulling a prank or someone’s pulling it on us. I leaned on the post, nervously wiping my hands on the inside of my apron. “A man like Mr. Milan doesn’t just turn up dead. Are the police involved? Are you sure this is a real article?”
“Does it matter,” she huffed, flipping her hair. “I’m losing my touch. My secret admirer only left this boring page in the envelope. Not even worth it today. Hello.” She snatched up the paper. “I’m tired of this game. He doesn’t even tell me how pretty I am any more. This print out from a news article is something I could read on my phone. Boring.”
She unfolded the note and I was shocked still. The headline across the top read; Local Business Owner, Accused of Sexual Harassment, Found Dead in His Home.
The first line of the article mentioned Anthony by name, claimed he was found in bed, alone in his lavish home. Further down the article it stated that his wife, Melanie had evidence that he’d been covering up a sexual harassment charge brought up by one of the bridesmaids at a recent wedding.
It was all too much information to process. Anthony was dead. My Anthony was dead. I collapsed down onto a stool, leaned on the work table, propping my head up with both fists and kept reading the same line over and over again. “Found dead in his home. How did this happen?”
“Already had one.” I stepped to the side, motioning for her to join me. “Can I ask you a question without ordering a drink?”
“Go ahead.” She clapped her hands together. “If you have a teenager who needs a job, I’m not hiring at the moment.”
“It’s not that.” I checked over my shoulder. No way did I want Ray to sneak up behind me while I inquired about him. That would mortify me. “You know every one at the mall. Even me and I don’t know anyone.” I checked her name badge. “Connie. Would you consider going out with a man if you knew it wouldn’t lead to anything? If he was a nice guy and could use a nice evening out. Would it be too encouraging to him?”
“Are you talking about Ray?” She perked up. “I thought something was up with him. He was nervous this morning. Did he ask you out? Did you say yes? He needs to get out more.”
“Slow down.” I raised both palms and shook them. “I haven’t answered him. I don’t even know if I’m attracted to him.” I leaned over the counter. “Is it wrong to lead him on? Shouldn’t I just nip it in the bud and say no?”
“Ray’s just looking for a distraction. He thinks about his late wife too much.” She greeted a woman parking a stroller behind me. The mom ordered an expresso. Connie gave me one more word of encouragement over the crushing sound of the coffee grinding machine, “Go for it. Just have fun.”
“That’s three yeses. You win, Ray. Guess we’re going on a date.”
#
Chapter Four
“Do you like sushi?” I asked Ray, two hours later as I secured the roll down door to the front of the floral shop. Going ahead with the suggestion of the Japanese restaurant in the mall seemed to be the safest bet. It was convenient and I wouldn’t have to give him too much personal information. Like my address.
“Never tried it, but I’ll do it for you, Eileen.” Ray was a little more jittery than he’d been when he asked me out. He outstretched his hand to put it around my waist, then jerked it back to his side. When he tried again, I gave him a side hug to ease his suffering.
“Don’t be nervous. It’s just dinner.” If Ray didn’t loosen up, the date was going to be a chore. “Consider me a friend. And relax.” I grabbed hold of his shoulders and shook him. He tensed up even more. “I get it.” I backed off, hands in the air. How am I going to get through this evening? I could bolt.
“Have you tried the handmade soaps from the Natural Shop?” he asked, pointing to the storefront.
“I haven’t.” Even his conversation skills were lacking. It’s going to be a long night, I groaned internally.
A well timed text interrupted my suffering. I half expected to get the notification ping at that time of night. The sender knew the mall closed early on Sundays and took advantage of my availability, often.
“Excuse me.” I glanced down at my phone. The text was from Anthony. “Let me answer this. Then I’m all yours, Ray.”
“I understand. You’re a beautiful woman. Of course other men are texting you. I can wait.”
His polite answer sounded like whining and grated on my nerves. I liked a man who took charge. Made his demands clear. Even before the date with Ray had started, it was over in my mind. I still had to go through the motions, give him the night I’d promised, but first I had to deal with Anthony.
Hey, I was going to send you a message. I’m at dinner with a friend.
I sent the text and waited for his reply. I held up one finger and smiled over to Ray who was waiting in front of the store that sold embroidered personalization on linens. Anthony took just a few seconds to respond. I could tell from his answer that I wasn’t getting a break to make the night easier. Anthony was always insistent on getting his way. Even if I said I was busy in the first text, he’d continue the correspondence until I finally gave in to him.
I need to see you. Are you free for six?
It was already after the six o’clock hour. His code, “Are you free for six?” meant he wanted to hookup for sex at a hotel named after sixth street, where it was located. Our quickie early evening meetings relieved his stress. Anthony claimed that helped him deal with an evening at home with his irritating wife.
Can’t tonight. I’m with a friend. Nothing serious, but I can’t cancel on him.
I hated saying no to Anthony. I really, really would’ve much rather been on his arm than Ray’s.
Anthony was everything I looked for in a man. Charming, debonair with silvering temples, broad shoulders, and he owned a decent tailoring business. Not like Ray who basically cleaned bodily fluids off inflatables for a living. I sent another text and hoped Anthony would be a little understanding.
Let’s push for tomorrow. I’ll get off early and make it up to you.
Damn, woman you know how bad I needed to see your sexy curves tonight. I’m desperate. Cut your night short and I’ll make it worth every second.
Before I knew I’d texted it, I responded with, No promises on the time, but I’ll text you when the date is over. Kisses.
That was it. Anthony was my backup plan. Anything goes wrong and I’m out the door to visit a sick friend. Ray would never find out. And Anthony had never been to the mall. Keep them separated and all lies are truths.
“All ready, Ray.” I pushed my phone down into my back pocket, keeping it close in case Anthony tried to convince me to cancel again, later on in the evening.
The restaurant was on the second floor of the mall. I was anxious to get in the door and get the night started. “The online reviews for this place are five star,” I said, approaching the escalator to go up.
“I’m sure the food is excellent.” He pulled me back from stepping on the moving stairs too fast. “Have I told you how beautiful you look under these lights?”
“Thank you, Ray. I appreciate that. But.” I leaned in to whisper. “I’m already on a date with you. You don’t have to flatter me.”
“It’s true. Honest. I’m really excited about getting to know you, Eileen.” He held me tight, pulling me close like it was the end of the world. His eyes ping-ponged back and forth. He opened his mouth like he was going to say more, but didn’t.
“That’s sweet, Ray.” I patted his cheek and twisted away. “We can talk more over dinner.” I motioned with both index fingers to the escalator behind me, turned on my heels, and stepped on. “I hope there’s not a long wait for a table.”
“Me, too,” Ray answered, but his voice sounded vaguely distant. “I can’t do it.”
I looked back behind me and was astonished at what I saw. Ray was standing at the bottom, frozen in place, and blankly staring at me riding up the escalator. “Get on!”
“I can’t! I have a phobia! Forgive me!”
“Take the—” I was near the top and pointed to the mall elevator to my right. “I’ll wait for you up here,” I called down. “Dammit.” I knew something like that was going to happen. Weird phobias followed me like a magnet.
When I reached the top, I peered over the railing and Ray had disappeared from view. Assuming he’d taken the elevator, I walked over to it to greet him. I was still set on continuing our date. If a fear of the escalator was all I had to put up with, then the night wouldn’t be a total waste. I still had a chance to open up and get to know another human being a little better.
The elevator doors opened and shut with no Ray in sight. I waited for the elevator to make another trip up and down, still no sign of him. “Where is he?” Feeling like something had gone seriously wrong, I went back to the escalator. “Did something happen downstairs?”
I was halfway through the ride down when Ray called from the second story railing. “Eileen, where are you going?”
“Where were you?” I yelled back, but from the bottom. I couldn’t exactly hear his explanation. It didn’t matter, he was up there waiting, so I got on the escalator to ride it back up to finish the date. Arriving at the top, I found no Ray. “What the hell?”
Like I did before, I looked over the railing again. There he was, on the lower level, stepping out of the elevator. “Ray!”
“Eileen!”
“Don’t move!” We both said, but neither took our own advice. I sprinted down the escalator as fast as I could. Rounding the corner, I stepped up to the elevator doors in time to watch them shut, with Ray inside.
“Dammit!” I clenched my fists and stomped my foot hard enough to twist my ankle off my heel. “Dammit! Screw it all!” I ripped my shoes off and waited until I saw Ray at the top railing. “This isn’t working! See you tomorrow, Ray!” I blew him a kiss and left for the exit.
“I’m not cut out to be friendly.” On my way out to my car, I texted Anthony. My friend bailed on me. Are we still on for six?
In the parking lot, I stepped back into my shoes and hopefully stared at the glaring light of the small screen in my hand. Anthony was usually prompt with texts. His phone never left his side. He couldn’t afford for it to be far away in case his jealous, spiteful wife saw a text first. I walked slow, but disappointingly made it to my car with no answer from him.
The night was a bust, so I drove home. At the gated entrance of my community of overpriced condos, I noticed another car waiting for the gate to open. Standing at the driver’s side door was one of the porters. I wasn’t sure of his name, just knew that I recognized him from the grounds. After a brief exchange, the driver got out of the vehicle. It was Mr. Bryant, a man I also recognized, but really didn’t know. He retrieved his briefcase out of the back seat and walked to a side pedestrian gate. The porter got in his car, turned it around, and drove it off down the street.
“Excuse me ma’am, Ms. Somers. Sorry about the inconvenience. The front gate is stuck. I’ll park your car via the employee entrance. It will be in your usual spot, but you’ll have to walk through the property to the main building.”
Just like Mr. Bryant, I handed over my valet key, retrieved my belongs, and walked to the side gate. It would’ve been uneventful if it wasn’t for the cat. I’d never seen one roaming the yards. There it was. Black as night and mewing for attention. It looked lonely.
“Sorry,” I apologized to the stray feline. “I’ll make an effort to make it up to you.” The cat seemed to accept my apology and darted off into an opening in the hedge.
At the door to my condo, there was still no answer from Anthony. I was no longer in the mood for company anyway, so I texted a final good night. Guess you found other plans. Some other time.
#
Chapter Five
As far as openings at the store went, Monday was an ordinary one. I raised the gate, turned on the lights, and counted the cash drawer. Before pulling the tall buckets of cheap stems out, I sat down and opened the store laptop.
First, I checked online orders that had come in overnight and filled out the daily project list. We had a retirement bouquet to put together. That was the biggest order; if nothing else came in, it’d be a slow day. “Have Trina call the high schools for their prom dates,” I wrote at the bottom of the sheet.
Next I clicked on my inbox. It was full of junk mail, even though I never gave my email address out to anyone. Still, the store was on all sorts of spam lists. I’d been meaning to unsubscribe, but hadn’t taken the time yet. Every day the task seemed inconsequential compared to other, bigger concerns.
Deleting emails was an exception to my usual get it done attitude. Procrastination wasn’t my friend. Not even on a morning when I was pretty sure a nice man had woken up to feelings I’d hurt. I made sure to take care of that call before Trina arrived for her shift.
“Ray, this is Eileen. I’m sorry.”
“It was my fault. I should’ve mentioned my phobia to you,” he said. Then I heard a high pitched squeal pierce through the call. “Can I call you back? I’m checking in a group of toddlers.”
“Just come down to the store when you’re not busy. We’ll get coffee and talk,” I said and hung up the phone.
“Oooh, who you having coffee with?” Trina asked, coming in the shop door behind me.
“Ray. I had to apologize.” Scanning my employee’s outfit, I quickly surmised that it was not appropriate for work. “What are you doing here and what are you wearing?”
“It’s spring break. No classes. I can work right?”
“If you change your outfit.”
“No prob.” She pulled out a pair of leggings and stepped into them. With her legs covered, she pulled her arms into her blouse, spun it around, and tied a cobbler apron on to cover the plunging neckline that had turned into an open back. “Did you stand him up last night?”
“No, I met him for dinner. We just—got—separated.” I laughed internally at how ridiculous it was that I’d actually walked out on Ray because he got lost on the elevator. “Did you know he has a fear of the escalator?”
“Now that you mention it,” she tapped her lips with her index finger, “I’ve never seen him get on it. Lindsay from—where does Lindsay work this month? Anyway. Lindsay and Connie both refuse to ride the elevator. They say it smells like old lady soap.”
“That’s different, but good to know.”
“I bet you also didn’t know that Connie has her navel double pierced. I want that.” Trina pushed the apron aside and pulled up her blouse. Her belly button was sporting an onyx bead on a silver ring. “One just isn’t sexy any more.”
“That’s enough.” I pushed a bunch of long stems across the work table for her to start trimming. “Can you earn your salary? Or something that resembles work?”
“Okay, but only if you tell me, is Ray a good kisser?” She puckered up.
“We didn’t get that far. How about you? Get another note from your secret admirer today?” I walked to the storage closet to get down a vase for the retirement bouquet, because I really wasn’t that interested in her answer. Also, I knew the notes usually came later in the day. My attempt was to change the subject and get her to stop questioning me about Ray.
“Not yet.” She got up and checked the floor in front of the back door. We found most of them back there, slipped under by the sender, although two had been randomly found tucked in the buckets of stems by the front of the store. Those had been particularly erotic. Trina read the “good parts” to me when she wanted to see me blush. “I’ve been thinking. I bet it’s a mall employee. Eric from security? Or maybe Ray?”
“Hope not. If Ray’s capable of performing the sex moves in those notes, you can have him.”
That was the closest I came to kissing and telling. The life of a mistress meant keeping tall privacy walls erected. Trina, being an inquisitive new adult, had probed me on my love life when I first hired her, but she soon tired of all the vague answers I kept giving her.
I never expressed it, but I was one hundred percent sure the two erotic notes had been written by Isaac and not the secret admirer. The language was different. It didn’t add up, but she enjoyed them. I let her think the harmless author sending her notes about his childhood memories was also a sex machine. Let the girl dream.
#
Chapter Six
A few hours later, Ray still hadn’t came by for his official apology. Wanting to get it over with, I left to find him. “Wish me luck.,” I said to Trina.
Turned out, I didn’t need that much luck. Ray had been rejected enough times that it was too easy to let him down. I immediately felt guilty about being one of the many women who’d disappointed him. I wasn’t really that bad of a person, so I gave him a second chance.
“How did it go?” Trina asked when I returned to the shop.
“We’re going out to Rio’s, the Tex-Mex restaurant, next Sunday.” I sighed and thumped my head against the column near the register. “I’m such a pushover. Did you at least sell anything while I was gone? This day has to get better.”
“Nope, but a letter from the admirer came. Well, it’s sort of a letter. Do you know anyone named Anthony Milan?”
Of course I knew that name. He was my married lover. My eye twitched just hearing my employee mentioning his name in the shop. Why is Trina asking about him?
“Why? Did he call? Come by? Anthony’s in the wedding business. He provides tuxes for grooms.” I nervously repositioned daisies in a completed Happy Birthday bouquet on a nearby shelf. I tried to push the butterflies out of my throat and talk normal. “You remember him. Does he have a lead for us? For a wedding?”
“I doubt it.” Trina pointed to the back work table where she’d left an envelope. “He’s dead.”
“Say that again.” The world stopped at her two words. I listened intently for her to say something other than what she did. I couldn’t have heard her right. “Why would you think he’s dead?”
I just texted him last night. It’s not possible. She’s pulling a prank or someone’s pulling it on us. I leaned on the post, nervously wiping my hands on the inside of my apron. “A man like Mr. Milan doesn’t just turn up dead. Are the police involved? Are you sure this is a real article?”
“Does it matter,” she huffed, flipping her hair. “I’m losing my touch. My secret admirer only left this boring page in the envelope. Not even worth it today. Hello.” She snatched up the paper. “I’m tired of this game. He doesn’t even tell me how pretty I am any more. This print out from a news article is something I could read on my phone. Boring.”
She unfolded the note and I was shocked still. The headline across the top read; Local Business Owner, Accused of Sexual Harassment, Found Dead in His Home.
The first line of the article mentioned Anthony by name, claimed he was found in bed, alone in his lavish home. Further down the article it stated that his wife, Melanie had evidence that he’d been covering up a sexual harassment charge brought up by one of the bridesmaids at a recent wedding.
It was all too much information to process. Anthony was dead. My Anthony was dead. I collapsed down onto a stool, leaned on the work table, propping my head up with both fists and kept reading the same line over and over again. “Found dead in his home. How did this happen?”
