Black Rose

Chapter 6

    Exhaling softly, I stood from the table and grabbed the money. Just as I did, I noticed a small piece of paper underneath. I looked out the windows as I picked it up. Jamie had just hopped into his blue truck.

    ‘Meet me in your backyard after work. - Your favorite worker ;-)’

    My teeth bit my bottom lip as I stuffed the note into my pocket. “Hey!” Someone said, grabbing my shoulders suddenly. My body jumped as I turned towards the person. “I saw that!”

    My hand squeezed the fabric on my chest. “You scared the hell out of me, April.” I told her, leaning my head back.

    “How much did he pay you?” She questioned, sitting in the seat he sat in. “Look like a big tip.”

    “I’m sure it’s to pay for the strawberry shortcakes.” I told her, rolling my eyes. “I unfolded the dollar bills.

    “Wow, the cakes are only three dollars each.” Her eyebrow lifted at me. “But he gave you a twenty. “ My teeth chewed on the inside of my cheeks as I fought the urge to smile. “And I saw the note he left you. You couldn’t even keep a smile off your face as he talked to you. What’s his name?”’

    Shaking my head quickly, I gathered the plates. “It’s not like that.”

    “I never said it was like anything.” April laughed, “I just asked what his name is.” She stood and followed me to the kitchen. “Is it that hard to tell me his name?”

    “Jamie, okay?”

    “Ooh, what a sensual name.” She winked taking one of the plates out of my hand before I threw the cakes away. “I’ll eat this one.”   

    The rest of my shift went by slowly especially since April continued to tease me. “Have fun on your date!” She yelled to me, as I walked out the front door.

    I adjusted my purse on my shoulder as I begin my short walk home. I couldn’t deny this feeling of nervousness. There was no telling what Jamie was going to do since he seemed like the spontaneous type.

    It wasn’t long before the two story house came into view. I looked up at my balcony suddenly wondering how Jamie placed the sticky note on my door to begin with. Maybe he used a ladder?

    I whistled to distract my nervousness as I walked up the driveway. Jamie’s blue truck was no where in site. Before going into the backyard, I made my way to my room and changed my clothes. After putting on shorts and a plain t-shirt I headed outside.

    “Took you long enough,” A voice told me just as I shut the door behind me.

    My eyes turned towards Jamie who was sitting on the side of the pool with his feet hanging in the water. “You’re infecting the water with fungus.” I told him, smiling.

    “Come here.” He told me, looking my outfit up and down. Cautiously, I strolled towards him with my hands behind my back. “This is my first time seeing you in casual clothes. Why’d you change?”

    “Well, I mean-”

    “You think we’re going to do something extraordinary that requires these kinds of clothes?” His British accent stood out when he said ‘extraordinary’ causing tiny butterflies in my stomach.

    I pulled in my bottom lip to keep from smiling. “No! I just get tired of wearing my work clothes.”

    Jamie’s eyebrow lifted for a second as he studied my face. “I want to take you somewhere. I already asked your mom if it would be alright and she agreed.”

Thanks, Mom!

    “I just need you to say yes now.”

    I stared into his almond brown, eyes. He cleared his throat almost as if to ease the silence. Then I answered, “No.”