Let Me In

Chapter 9

I got to work early the next morning. I wanted to release some of my anger on the treadmill. I couldn't do it after my shift as I was meeting G for lunch before he started work.

I was called to the reception desk as soon as I walked through the door.

"Special delivery for you, Mai. This arrived first thing."

Cassie, the receptionist, placed a long, slim box on the desk.

"For me?"

I wasn't expecting anything. I hadn't ordered anything off EBay for a change.

"Thanks, Cass."

I took the box to the staff changing room and dumped my bags near my locker. Sitting, with the box on my knees, I pulled at the silky red bow and lifted the lid.

Inside the box was a bed of deep-red, crushed velvet, encasing the most beautiful red rose I'd ever seen. I lifted it to my nose and inhaled deeply. It smelled sweet, deep and intense, all at once. Tucked under the rose was a small, red card. I placed the rose carefully on the bench next to me, picked up the card and turned it over. It said: 'Red. Just like your bedroom. How I wish I was there right now x.'

My blood began to boil. I threw my bags into my locker. I threw the rose - along with its packaging and stupid note - into the bin on my way to the treadmill.

*********************************

G was already at a table, waiting for me. I made my way over to him after grabbing a drink and ordering my food. I'd calmed down a little after going at my classes at full pelt then taking a nice, hot shower.

"Oh-oh. What's wrong with you? There's trouble written all over your face."

Okay. Maybe I wasn't as calm as I thought.

I filled him in on everything Joe had done. I even showed him the texts and made him listen to the voicemail.

"Can you believe it? And then he has the audacity to send a rose to my work, saying he wishes he was in my bed."

I took a deep breath and tried to rein in my anger again.

"That shit," G shouted, a little too loudly. "I'm sorry he's treated you like that, baby girl. I don't know what else to say. I would offer to rough him up a little for you but he's bigger than I am. He might ruin these good looks. Or like it, one of the two." We both burst out laughing. That was why I loved G so much, he always knew how to cheer me up.

He took my hand when we'd finished laughing.

"Look, I'm working the late shift on Thursday and I know you're not on the rota to work. How about me, you and Owen go out on a bit of a bender and drown any remaining memory you have of Joe in gin?"

I shook my head. I didn't feel like partying right now. And even if I did, I knew I'd end up in a state - either dancing on the table with some poor guy, or as a blubbering, inconsolable wreck. I didn't want to do either...yet.

"Well, I won't take no for an answer," G said, slapping the table. "We'll pick you up at six in a taxi, and we'll start with food and cocktails. Get dressed up too, 'cos bling is the thing and we'll do some danciiiing!"

He busted some moves in his seat, which attracted some funny looks from those around us. I laughed uncontrollably at his demented caterpillar impression. My reaction spurred him on to do it even more, nearly knocking the plates out of the waitress' hands as she placed our lunch on the table. He quietened down after she gave him a dirty look.

G rolled his eyes as he shovelled a fork-full of salad into his mouth. "She's just jealous because she could never move as good as me. Or be as gorgeous."

"You're such a bitch."

"You better believe it," he grinned.

*********************************

After work the next day I went into town to meet Nic and Nath - they'd become inseparable - for a bite to eat. I'd texted her that morning to tell her about the second rose waiting for me at work, along with an elaborately wrapped bottle of Coco Chanel and a little card that read: 'I know it's your favourite. I saw it on your dressing table.' A text had followed, saying 'Please call me when you're ready and let me explain.' Nic was eager to find out more.

They were cosied up in a corner when I arrived. I gave a wave and signalled to ask if they wanted a drink. Nath made his way over to me.

"This one's on me." He ordered my usual. "I'm really sorry about what happened with Joe."

I put up my hand to interrupt him.

"Don't you apologise for your friend. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Mai, it's just..." He tried to continue but I was having none of it.

"Nath, please. Nothing you can say will change my mind. Please don't let this affect us being friends. Let me bitch about him for half an hour to my best friend then I promise I'll change the subject."

He sighed. I could see that I'd won the battle. I took my drink, kissed him on the cheek in truce, and headed over to Nic.

Nic and I had a good old 'he didn't, he did' moaning session, regarding Joe's attempts to contact me. Nath quietly played with his phone. I felt a little sorry that he was stuck in the middle of it all but I was enjoying having a moan to Nic.

He looked up sheepishly as his phone started to ring. Both Nic and I stopped talking and watched him as he put the phone to his ear.

"Alright, mate... Yeah, I am." His eyes flitted between Nic and me. "Uh-huh, she is." He squeezed his way out of the booth. "Just give me a second, mate, I'm just going outside."

"Tell him to save his time and money," I shouted after him.

By the time Nath joined us again the conversation had moved on to a far more important subject: food. We were busy making a decision, our heads buried in the menu.

I held Nath's hand as he sat by Nic.

"Let's not talk about that subject anymore, ok? Tell me about work, but nothing about any topless gardening with your business partner. I don't want to question my decision," I grinned.

Nath rubbed his hands together, gearing up for his story.

"We did a job for a woman today, and you just wouldn't believe it. She had the biggest, bounciest... Ow!"

Nic punched him in the arm, mid-flow.

"Dogs! I was going to say dogs." He rubbed his arm.

Nic simmered down.

"They were the biggest puppies I'd ever seen," he laughed. "Ow!"

I punched him in the other arm, taking him by surprise. We all laughed.