Siren

Drinks

It’s been three days since her breakdown in front of Richelieu. Juno had never been more embarrassed by her unprofessional behavior, making her actively avoid him until she felt like she could look him in the eye. It hadn't taken much effort on her part since Jun had his tightly run schedule memorized. The few brief times she had run into him when Henri stopped by his place unexpectedly he had smiled at her or gave her a little wave. It was usually in passing in the hall as one was coming or going or at the mailboxes. Face flushed with embarrassment Juno would give him a forced smile in return before ducking back into her apartment or back into the elevator with his laughter trailing behind her.

She needed to get her shit together, she knew this. But he seemed to push emotional buttons Juno didn't even know she had. Henri was attractive, though that wasn't what had her thinking about him late at night when she couldn't sleep or when she was out running errands. He had shown her real kindness in her time of need. He'd tried to care for her and cheer her up. Like the other day for example. The morning after her night out with Charles and Thomas, she'd woken up to a call from John letting her know a flower delivery had arrived. Juno's head was so muddled from her hangover that she had blearily gone downstairs in her pajamas and robe. Thankfully she'd taken a shower before bed and wasn't looking like a complete troll because she’d run into Tom on his way out for his morning run with his American Akita, Kal.

Hating him only a little for being so cheery Juno waved them on their way. Turning to the front desk where waiting for her was a beautiful arrangement of her favorite flowers in a gorgeous cut glass vase that she knew didn’t come from the local florist unless they also sold custom made Venetian glass vases in their shop. Taking a deep inhale she spotted that along with the fragrant flowers was a note that revealed who sent them. Opening the small envelope she tugged out the card inside and read the message.

Belle,

Hoping you now have some happy memories

Henri

How Richelieu knew Peonies were her favorite she didn't know, but they'd brought a real smile to her face for the first time in days. Even so it took her another day and a half before she felt like she could face him. It didn't help or maybe it did that Fury was on her every day to check on her progress.

:::::::

Saturday 6:00 pm

Glancing at her watch once more to be sure of the time she noted that he should be home by now. Taking a deep breath Juno fixed her hair in the mirror in the entryway next to her front door then grabbed the expensive bottle of wine she had gone out to buy specifically for him. Leaving her door open she went out into the hall to go knock on his front door. Not even a moment later a handsomely dressed Henri Richelieu stood in front of her. A surprised but pleased smile crept across his face when he saw it was her. Fidgeting with the wine bottle in her hands she stutters out a hello. “Uh, h-hi.”

He smiles down at her his dark eyes sparkling with humor seeing her nervousness. “Bonjour Juno.” With a shiver down her spine when she notices that his French accent comes out a little stronger with his amusement.

Arching an elegant eyebrow when Juno just continues to stand there silently staring at him has Jun snapping out of her haze. Shoving the expensive bottle of wine at him she apologizes for the last few days. “Right, sorry. This is for you. A thank you for the other day and an apology for my rudeness for avoiding you.”

Richelieu chuckles at her word vomit. “Were you avoiding me? I couldn't tell.” He teases. Reading the label Henri smiles over at Juno glad that she was stopping by even if he was on his way out. “There's nothing to apologize for. But thank you and you're most welcome.”