Читать книгу Beautiful Fate - CK Marie - Страница 6

After a few hours with Brytney, I’m finally home. I open the screen door, a long box falls out. It’s Sunday, there isn’t any mail. Looking at the box, there isn’t an address on it, only my name is written across the length of it.

Placing the box on the counter, I untie the ribbon and open the box to find a dozen beautiful lilies. Shayne must be sorry about his little rant. I pull out the card and read over the message.

Vanessa,

In case you missed finding my last note.

218-555-9210

Ian xx

HOLY SHIT! How does he know where I live!?

Grabbing the box and card I run to my car heading straight for Brytney’s house. Making sure to call her on the way telling her to get home A.S.A.P.!

“Where’s the fucking fire!? What’s so urgent I had to rush back!?”

Not able to speak, I just point to the box. She opens it slowly. “I rushed home for this!? What has gotten into you!? Shayne has given you flowers before.”

“No, read the card, Brytney!”

“Fucking hell, girl where did you see him!?”

“I didn’t, they were left on my door at home. Brytney, how the hell does he know where I live!?”

“Oh shit, Vanessa.”

“Brytney, what is it? I don’t like the look of panic on your face.”

“Remember the mailing list at My Pleasure?”

“Oh, Brytney! Oh god, please tell me you didn’t?”

“I’m so sorry, it was meant to be funny. I didn’t know you had a stalker, please don’t be mad.”

“I don’t know what to be right now. Do I call Ian…tell him to stop? Tell him I have no interest!?”

“Vanessa, I think you should file a report, what if he’s a raging lunatic?”

“No, I can’t do that my brother, Vince is a police officer. No way do I want him involved!”

“So, you’re just going to call him and tell him you’re not interested? What if he doesn’t stop, then what?”

“Let’s just hope he gets the message.” My phone goes off making both Brytney, and I jump.

“Hey, Shayne.”

“Where ya at baby? I’ve been home almost an hour.”

“Sorry, I’m still with Brytney; I’ll be leaving here in a few minutes.”

“Okay, stop and pick us up Fajita’s, make sure you get extra tortillas.”

“I’ll call and order for you, I had a big lunch today. I’m not hungry.”

“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay bye.”

“Brytney, I have to go, Shayne is hungry. I’ll have to call you later.”

Pulling out of Brytney’s I call to place Shayne’s order, then pull out the card with Ian’s number on it. After the first ring, I’m tempted to hang up.

“Hello?”

Oh shit, he answered! “Hello, is this Ian?”

“Ahhhh, Vanessa, I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call. Did you like the flowers?”

Oh, that voice! “Yes, they were lovely, thank you.”

“My pleasure, Vanessa.”

“Listen, Ian, I’m calling to tell you that I have no interest. I’m engaged to be married soon.”

“But, you’re not happy?”

“Excuse me!? Of course, I’m happy that’s why I’m calling to tell you I have no interest.”

“I see...well, usually when a woman tells another man that she’s engaged she makes it known that she is happily engaged. You only said you’re engaged.”

“Well, I am happily engaged! Not that it’s any of your business. I don’t know you…I don’t need to give you details of my life.”

“You could get to know me, I’d love nothing more than to get to know every inch of you better.”

“I just told you, I’m not interested.”

“Meet me for coffee.”

“Not interested.”

“Then, how about dinner?”

“Not interested.”

“Vanessa, I’d like to get to know you. Just talk, I promise. You pick the day, place and time. Give me a couple hours, if at that point you decide you don’t want to know me, then I will never bother you again.”

“Ian, I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Please, just grant me a couple of hours.”

I’m so going to regret this. “Fine! Wednesday evening, six p.m. at the coffee shop off Highway 61. Just one hour!”

“Thank you, Vanessa…you won’t regret this.”

“Don’t be late! I’ll leave at seven p.m. sharp. Goodbye, Ian.”

“Hey babe, it’s about time, I’m starving. Don’t even get me a plate; I’ll eat right from the takeout box. Can you grab me a beer?” Shayne says as soon as I walk in the door.

“Yeah sure, by the way, I’m going be late Wednesday. There is a sale at the mall I want to go to before I meet Brytney for dinner.” I hate lying to him, but I need to see Ian and make him see I am not interested.

“Whatever, did you give her back that fucking bag?” He demands.

“Yes, I told you I was going to.”

“Good girl, no girl of mine needs that shit!”

“Nope, she only needs the bottom!”

“What are you mumbling about?”

Oh shit, thinking out loud, not good! “Nothing, just thinking of the things I want to get at the sale. I’m going to get a few things done before bed. Just put your food container on the counter, I’ll get it later.”

“Morning, baby.”

I wake to Shayne all bright-eyed and dressed for work. Looking over to the clock I see it’s only 6:30 a.m. “Leaving a bit early today?”

“Yeah, I have some reports to go through, before my meeting.”

“Okay, you will be home after work, right? Don’t forget Vince, Alice, Brytney, and Jack will be over here for dinner tonight.”

“I understand your brother and his wife, but I don’t get why Brytney has to be here.”

“Shayne please, I’m not getting into this with you again. Can you please pick up a couple bottles of wine on your way home?”

“Yeah, whatever, I got to get going. See ya tonight.”