It's almost 5pm. With each minute that passes the butterflies grow in my stomach. It's like that part of the roller coaster when the car clicks in the last position at the top of the track and stalls before the plunge.
I stare out my office window eagerly awaiting Liam's arrival. lost in thought as rain drops dance there way down the other side of the blurred glass.
I may not agree 100% with my dad on this security situations but I understand his worry. He did almost lose me 5 months ago back in New York.
On a positive note I do get to spend the evening with literally the sexiest man in all of Seattle.
Before I can drift into another shirtless fantasy again my phone buzzes.
Swiping it off the desk I smile wide to see the face my best friend from NewYork.
Willow: Hey Bryan.
Bryan: hey sweetie, I just wanted to call and wish you luck. I'm so sorry I couldn't be there for you.
Bryan has been working for my dad since college and just became a partner before I moved to Seattle. My dad treats him like the son he never had with the intent of Bryan taking over the business some day.
Willow: I know Bry you got big shoes to fill and you are doing an amazing job. So how are things other than work?
Bryan: you know me Willow what is there other than work and my few minute chats with you.
I giggle.
Willow: Your so much like dad.
He's such a workaholic like my dad. If you didn't know any Better you'd swear they are cut from the same loin.
Just then my heart begins to flutter, that tingle sensation bolts through my body like little electrical currents.
I sense eyes on me. I casually glance at my phone to see it is exactly 5pm and with a grin on my face I know he is there staring at me from in the door way.
I slowly turn slightly acknowledging his presents with a wave inviting him in.
Willow: sorry Bryan my five o'clock just showed up.
Bryan: Ooooo....he must be something. I can feel you blushing through the phone Willow?
Willow: Ooooo he is!!
With flushed cheeks and a nod in agreement I watch from the corner of my eye as Liam stands hovering the chair on the other side of the desk staring at me with curiosity.
Bryan: ok sweetie you better call me tomorrow. I want to hear all about this guy that has my friends panties in a bunch. Love you.
Willow: I will. love you too Bry... Oh thanks for the rose.
Bryan: What rose?
A dreadful feeling hits as I look at the rose and then the box sticking out of the trash.
Willow: Never mind. Bye Bryan.
I turn to face Liam still staring at me with curiosity.
Liam: who's Bryan?
Liam asks with a bit of jealousy. I smile with no reply and I can see its eating at him. Unable to get out from under his determined burning glare I finally give in.
Willow: He's a friend.
Liam raises a brow at the mention of friend. But then a worried look takes over as his eyes drift to where mine keep looking.
Liam: Is there something wrong?
Willow: It's nothing!
Liam: Willow if something happened or if something seems off you need to tell me so I can I do my job.
I close my eyes pinching the bridge of my nose. With my other hand I wave toward the trash can.
Willow: A flower was delivered to me with out a card. I thought maybe it was from my friend but he didn't know about it.
Liam grabs the box from the trash looking it over.
Willow: I already checked.
Liam: Who delivered it? Did you sign anything?
Willow: It came while Erika and I were at lunch. Her intern said it was a UPS guy and she told him to drop it in my office.
Liam presses on his ear and starts talking with someone about checking the gallery cameras from earlier today focusing on delivery people.
Liam: Is there anyone else you think might send a rose. Is there anything significant about it. Like the color? Was there any smells when you opened the box?
I ponder his questions out loud.
Willow: My dad wouldn't have because he sent a whole big beautiful bouquet to my house yesterday. Bryan didn't know about it. My ex?
I shake my head and let out an angry yet comical huff.
Willow: My ex would never send flowers.
But as I say this my stomach begins to twist in knots. He would have never given me flowers but rose the name. Chills shoot through me at my recollection of a name he wanted for a girl if we ever had a daughter.
Liam stares at me intensely. Waiting for me to share my new found suspicion.
The moment of awkward silence is broken at the sound of a loud smack.