L'Arte dell'Amore (Not Edited)

XV

The weekend had came fairly quick and Lavender was on her way to apologize to Mr. Ripley, she had not meant to run out like that.

Embarrassment seeped through her bones, as she opened the bookstore's door.

"Who is it, Victoria?" Ripley called out from the back of the store. The store was being repaired, which made her lose two days worth of working. Lavender would be lying if she said it didn't bother her.

"Rippy?" Lavender said softly as she came face to face with a tired looking Mr. Ripley.

"Oh my Lavender, you don't understand how worried I was. Please sit down, we need to talk." Ripley was just happy to see Lavender, the talk would help the two of them understand what was happening.

"I-okay." Lavender had stumbled over her words as her heart quicken the race against itself.

"Lavender, why did you run out like that. Vincent and I were so worried about you. You got to understand that we have to talk about our issues, not run away." He explained. Lavender bit her lip as tears filled her eyes, she knew she had disappointed him.

Vincent was worried? Lavender thought.

"I'm s-sorry." By the time the apology had descended from her throat, her lip was trembling.

"No- nope! I'm having no tears today!" Ripley said as he pulled her into his embrace. "Let me tell you something, and you listen good, I haven't know you very long, but I already know how precious you are. My family and I want you to know we are all here for you, and you don't have to struggle alone."

Lavender tried not to cry, her heart was pounding so hard in her chest. He shouldn't say things that were so nice, and then this wouldn't happen.

"You are fine, now wipe those tears. I also have to tell you what I was going to say before you ran off." Ripley continued.

Lavender sniffled as she played with the ring Vincent had gave her.

"I was going to tell you, I'm giving you a little raise. I think you deserve it, all the hours you have been working anyway." Ripley had told her, he had said a little raise. But it was a pretty hearty raise, it would help her. That's all that matters.

Lavender nodded as she felt the need to cry again, this was overwhelming. She had never met people so inclined to kindness.

"Thank you Rippy. But you don't have to." Lavender's lip twitched again.

"I want to."

After talking with Mr. Ripley, she helped a little before he ushered her home. Lavender was now swinging her legs in the air, as she read, laying on her tummy.

Sucked into the past world. Lavender shut her book, marking her page with a piece of paper, she had made into a heart.

Lavender jumped up at the sound of her phone ringing, she hoped it was Vicky. It was the only person who called her.

Who else would it be?

"Victoria! I miss you, we should go to the library today!" Lavender was already babbling the second she answered the phone. Victoria smiled, but felt bad for having to say no.

Lavender will understand.

"We can hang out for a little bit, I'm at Vincent's house. He's not here actually. I have a date tonight." Victoria explained.

Lavender's smile only grew maybe it was from hearing Vincent's name or just that she was having a date night, perhaps both. She wondered how long they would be able to hang out.