An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Flowers and Lunch

LENA POV

"Goooooood morning, Lena! Look at what you got!" Michelle greets me at the door as my arms are full for I had stopped to grab a dozen donuts after I dropped Jude off at camp for this morning's staff meeting, and she grins from ear to ear like a buffoon not offering to help me as I carry the box, my thermos and bag.

I half smile as I make my way to my desk and my heart almost beats out of my chest as I see a gorgeous array of what looks like 2 dozen yellow roses. I nervously set my stuff down on my desk as Michelle stands on the other side staring and being as nosy as all get out.

"Who are they from? Read your card!" She says enthusiastically as I look at her, annoyed with her stupid self as she clasps her hands together under her chin for she really had nothing better to do then be in my business. Something I did not appreciate.

"Do me a favor and go start the coffee in the blue conference room. The meeting this morning starts around 9, and bring these donuts. That'll help me out," I say firmly as I hand the box to her, and she looks disappointed and heads off.

Rolling my eyes I wait until she's gone before I pull out the card, and I'm thoroughly confused as I read the note: To a radiant woman. Have coffee with me.

I quickly shove the card in my bag as I sit down and smooth my skirt and stare at the roses. For some reason I thought they were from Stef but they're not. She'd not ever send me flowers anyway. Why was I hopeful like that? It wasn't like that between us anymore, and I have no idea why I feel so let down, even if it seemed we couldn't stop being intimate.

Yes, I was grateful she had accepted my apology on the phone in terms of my comments about her parenting because it had not been easy for me to even vocalize that to her. But, Stef had actually listened to me without ripping my head of. When she came over to help with Corey just her presence felt like a burden was lifted off my shoulders. Honestly, I felt we were working well as co parents considering all that transpired between us.Pulling out my calendar I begin going over today's schedule.

"I see you got the flowers I sent," I hear Denni say as I look up to see her beautiful smile. She has on a light gray business suit with a soft pink silk blouse underneath. I notice the one pearl on the end of a gold chain as it lands at her throat as I meet her soft blue eyes, nervously.

"They're from you? There was no name," I try to play it off as the smile dances around her eyes and she places her keys in her bag for crap she sent me flowers?

"You have many suitors?" She teases as I stand and laugh nervously, picking up my calendar and coffee mug.

"Oh. No. No, I don't. Just a single mom," I spill and want to kick myself for even saying that as she tilts her head to the side.

"Ahhh, I love being a mum, myself. My daughter, Ivory, is here in San Diego. She's getting ready to graduate next spring. How many do you have?"

I laugh softly as I walk out from behind my desk and she walks beside me for I didn't really peg her for having a child, although I know nothing about her at all. "You don't want to know Denni. Trust me."

"Really now? Why would I have asked if I didn't want to know?" She sounds intrigued as my heart pounds in my chest and we begin walking up the steps to the conference room.

"What I meant was it's gonna sound crazy, but I have 5...5 kids, and before you ask, I only gave birth to two."

She stops as do I, and I look at her face as I laugh again. "Told you! My life is very complicated. Do you want to take me to coffee still?" I lean against the wall now as she smiles widely now and steps closer, removing her black glasses and placing them on top of her head. God, this woman unnerves me and I just don't know how to talk to her.