The Tulips

ANNA

Ashleigh and I agreed to meet at a store she suggested.

Just by looking through the display window, I knew immediately that it was out of my price range.

I was racking my brain to come up with some sort of excuse when I opened my purse and noticed an envelope sitting on top.

Inside, there was a black-colored credit card and a note.

~When I said whatever you want, I meant it.~

Mark nodded once when I pulled it out and glanced in his direction.

Before I could ask any of the million questions swirling in my mind, Ashleigh practically tackled me from the side in a hug.

“Congratulations, babe!” she squealed. “I didn’t want to cause a scene at the studio earlier, but I’m so happy for you. How long have you guys been secretly together? You sold it perfectly, by the way. I really believed you were still dating.”

With a fake smile plastered on my face, I started working through my lies.

“You know, it actually hasn’t been very long,” I told her.

“Oh, well, when you know, you know, I suppose.” She shrugged. “Let me see the ring!”

The color drained from my face. Of course, she would want to see the ring.

What friend wouldn’t want to see the diamond given to the fiancée of one of the richest men in the world?

Ashleigh sensed my hesitation and sobered. “Honey, are you pregnant?”

“No!” I practically shouted.

Mark stepped up beside me.

“Ms. Miller’s ring is being resized,” he said calmly.

“Oh, of course it is.” She nodded. “I remember being so sad when I had to send mine in to get resized.”

I shot Mark a grateful look before following Ashleigh into the store.

“Sorry, I’m kind of a mess,” she apologized, pointing to her jeans and T-shirt. “I helped out in Abby’s class this morning and wasn’t paying enough attention to the clock.”

Ashleigh was a great mom. She stayed home with her kids and took every opportunity to attend field trips or help out at their private school.

Even though they could probably afford full-time help, she chose to be with her children and find activities to fill their days.

“Oh gosh, don’t apologize,” I told her. “I’m so happy you made it. I could really use your expertise.”

The store was even more magnificent on the inside. Racks and tables of elegant clothes were illuminated by spotlights, while soft, soothing music played in the background.

I’d asked Mark to make himself scarce while we were out, and he quickly found a comfortable chair in the corner.

I’d barely glanced in the direction of a clothing rack when a sharply dressed saleswoman tapped her way over in spiked heels.

“How can I help you?” she asked.

“I’m looking for a dress,” I said, trying to hide how out of place I felt.

“For tonight,” Ashleigh added next to me.

“Hmm, I’m not sure we would have anything available for this evening,” she said, blatantly eyeing our outfits.

I normally didn’t dress in fancy clothing or showy labels unless I was at the office. Plus, I hadn’t gotten any of my nicer handbags from my apartment, and my manicure had been torn to shreds during the attack outside the bar.

“Are the clothes here not available for purchase?” Ashleigh asked and crossed her arms over her chest.

“You’re wanting to ~buy~ one of these dresses?” the woman asked in clear disbelief.

Ashleigh bristled. “In fact, she does.”

“Do you have a credit card I can keep on file while you try on, then?” the woman asked in a condescending tone. “It’s store policy.”

“No, it isn’t,” Ashleigh grumbled, but I quickly pulled out the card Gavin had given me and handed it over in an attempt to not cause a scene.

“Is this a joke?” the woman scoffed while her eyes scanned over me. “You certainly don’t look like Gavin Powell.”

“It’s her boyfriend’s,” Ashleigh sneered, and my cheeks burned.

~Is this what it will feel like?~ I thought sadly. ~Will I always feel so out of place? So unworthy?~

Before the salesperson could say anything else, a chic, middle-aged woman appeared from around the corner.

“Ms. Miller!” she gushed. “It is wonderful to meet you. Come this way. I would be glad to show you everything from this season’s collection.”

She glared at the younger woman behind the counter, who visibly cowered before scurrying off in a hurry.

“Please forgive Amanda,” the woman apologized as she ushered us toward the back of the store. “She’s new.”

“I’m sorry,” I shook my head. “How do you know my name?”

“Your fiancé called, Ms. Miller.” She smiled. “My name is Beverly Tate. I’m the owner of this store.”

“How—?” I cut myself off when I made eye contact with Mark, who was sliding his phone back in his pocket.

~Figures.~

***

Beverly quickly set up a secluded dressing room for me and Ashleigh. She offered to let Ashleigh try on the dress for fun, but she declined, insisting she wanted to focus on my outfit.

Another staff member brought out glasses of champagne and a small charcuterie plate.

My pile of rejects was growing when Beverly brought out a black cocktail dress I hadn’t seen on display.

“This is brand new,” she explained with a smile. “The designer only produced a handful. It’s perfect for you.”

“Oh! Try it on!” Ashleigh squealed.

I giggled before taking it and spinning on my heel to change. The dress was fitted, with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves.

It definitely felt more expensive than anything I’d ever owned.

I unsuccessfully tried to find a price tag before Ashleigh called out, and I was forced to give up. Her mouth dropped open when I stepped into view.

“Oh my gosh, Anna,” she gushed. “That is stunning on you.”

I looked into the array of mirrors behind me and had to admit it fit really well. It was understated and elegant.

Plus, it highlighted what few curves I had in a very flattering way.

A well-groomed man suddenly appeared with heels and large pearl earrings and a pendant to match. He helped me put them on, and I turned to Ashleigh.

“What do you think?” I asked nervously.

“That is literally what you’re wearing tonight,” she said with tears in her eyes. “You look amazing.”

“Do you think Gavin will like it?” I bit my lip, thinking he might choose something a little more showy based on what I’d seen his previous girlfriends wear.

“He’d be crazy not to,” she assured me. “Seriously, Anna, I can’t even describe how gorgeous you look. You could be on the cover of a magazine in that dress.”

“Okay,” I laughed and threw my hands up. “You don’t have to exaggerate. I’m sold.”

Beverly had everything wrapped up and ready by the time Ashleigh and I made it to the cash register.

I pulled out my wallet to pay. She shook her head.

“It’s all been taken care of, Ms. Miller. Enjoy your date.”

Smiling brightly, she walked around the counter to escort us out of the store.

When we reached the door, she stopped just short.

“The next time you’re in, please ask for me directly,” Beverly said, handing me a business card. “If anyone refuses, this is my personal number. I’d love for you to consider us the next time you need something to wear.”

“Oh, um, thank you,” I said sheepishly.

We said our goodbyes before trailing behind Mark toward the waiting car.

As we neared, a bright pink paper tucked into the seam of my window caught my eye.

“What’s that?” Mark asked, clearly on alert.

“Looks like an advertisement.” I threw it in my purse without a second thought.

I’d offered to give Ashleigh a ride home, so we both crawled into the back of the Range Rover.

“So…,” she started, and I braced myself. “Are the two of you planning to announce your engagement?”

Internally, I grimaced. I’d barely sidestepped her earlier interrogation.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I’ve kind of left it up to Gavin.”

Before this morning, I wasn’t positive he wanted to make our relationship public.

News headlines speculated that we were together based on him rescuing me the night of the attack, but they were taken down just as quickly.

It seemed to be Gavin’s influence that snuffed out the gossip.

“Can I say something and ask you not to take it the wrong way?” she asked, and I nodded hesitantly.

“You don’t seem overly excited.”

I sighed and felt my shoulders fall. “I’m nervous about what everyone is going to think. Being his former employee isn’t a good look.”

It certainly wasn’t a lie. Neither was it the whole truth.

Ashleigh’s eyes were full of concern, but her smile looked sympathetic. “Nobody is going to care once the two of you are married. If you’re in love, it shouldn’t matter what other people think. It will just be a part of the story of how you met.”

That was the issue, though. We weren’t in love. And if I believed Gavin, he never would be.

But I couldn’t tell her that. She was a good friend, but unlike Kris, I wasn’t sure that she would accept my decision without judgment.

“I guess I’m just stressed. We’ve tried to keep everything really private.”

“Of course!” Ashleigh agreed with exaggerated enthusiasm. “I totally get it.”

Despite what she said, I could tell she remained somewhat skeptical.

I decided to change topics to something mundane, and we chatted casually until we reached her condo.

“Have fun on your date!” she called as she jumped out.

I let out a deep breath when Mark finally closed her door.

It was exhausting holding up the façade.

As if I wasn’t living a lie.

As if I wasn’t terrified I would regret it.

It was already late afternoon by the time I got back to the penthouse.

When I walked in, there was a gigantic bouquet of flowers on the entry table with a note.

~I know you hate roses, but I hope tulips are okay.~

~To our future, G~

I leaned back against the wall and stared up at the ceiling while I tried to get my sudden emotions in check.

I had once told him roses reminded me of my mother’s funeral.

It was years prior. I couldn’t believe he remembered.

What cut even more deeply was that I knew tulips traditionally signified unconditional love.

A part of me wondered if he knew.

I sank to the floor and leaned my forehead against my knees.

~How am I going to survive this?~

Just then, a flash of pink in my purse caught my eye.

~The envelope.~

Curious, I reached for it.

It wasn’t an advertisement, like I’d assumed. Instead, it was a handwritten note on the back of my employee photo from the Powell Incorporated website.

~Some people can’t help but take what doesn’t belong to them. I wonder who will pay the price?~