Page 3 of Secret Admirer

Last night was another restless night of sleep. Instead of dreaming of my parents dying in a fiery wreck, I dreamt of someone watching me from the shadows.

Trudging into the kitchen, I hit the Keurig button and close my eyes as I wait for my coffee. When I hear it’s finally done, I grab the French vanilla creamer and turn my cup from a dark brown into what looks like a light chocolate milk. What can I say? I love the caffeine but not the taste of coffee.

After hitting the snooze button one or a few too many times earlier, I need to hurry up and get ready for work. My hair is a mess after going to bed with it wet, so I throw it up in a ponytail and hope I’ll have time once I’m at work to fix it. Maybe I’ll even let Trixie add some pink highlights like she’s wanted to do since I set foot in her salon.

Grabbing breakfast, I quickly look around my apartment, taking stock of where everything is before I’m gone for the day. I know I’m being ridiculous, but I can’t get the thought of my purse not being where I left it last night out of my head. If someone happens to come into my apartment while I’m gone and moves anything I’ll know. I make sure to double check my front door is locked when I leave and jog down the stairs instead of taking the elevator.

Shoving the last bite of my bagel into my mouth, I start to unlock the front door of Tricks when I see a simple but beautiful hot pink flower.

Maybe this is the world's way of telling me I should get those pink highlights.

Looking down the sidewalk both ways, I don’t spot anyone. It’s surprisingly empty for being almost nine o’clock in the morning. Reaching down, I pick up the bright pink flower and bring it to my nose. There’s no smell, but I don’t care because it’s beautiful and I can’t remember the last time someone sent me flowers. It’s then I spot a note that was underneath. Slowly I peel the folded paper open to see beautiful script scrawled across the simple notebook paper.

I hope this flower brightens up your day. No more tears. Please.

B

3

Bodhi

I watchfrom across the way as my Goddess picks up the flower I left for her and brings it up to her nose. As her lips start to tip up at the corners, my chest swells with…pride. Something I haven’t felt in far too long.

“Trixie, did you see anyone out front when you got here?” she calls out as she props the door open. Her voice is breathless and sexy as hell.

The sight of her and hearing the sound of her voice causes my body to stir to life. I duck further into the shadows behind a crop of trees so they don’t see me.

“No.” The pink haired woman from yesterday comes out of a room. “Why? Something up?”

“Someone left me a flower and a note in front of the door.”

“How do you know it’s not for me?” She snatches the note from her hands.

My Goddess places her hands on her hips and cocks her head to the side. “Because it talks about me crying.”

“Oh, Coco’s got a secret admirer.” Trixie cackles.

My Goddess’ name is Coco. It’s fitting. It’s as beautiful and unique as she is.

“Or a stalker.”

My body flinches and I take another step back. Me, a stalker? I’d much rather she thinks the former rather than the latter. Stalker is so…harsh.

“What’s up with you girl? Normally you’re so easy breezy and…” Trixie cuts herself off. I move closer to where the trees end, my eyes trained on Coco. I find them hugging. “Hell, I’m sorry. Don’t cry.”

“No, I’m sorry.” Coco steps back, her delicate hands running underneath her eyes.

My heart constricts knowing she’s crying again. Maybe another flower would help. If I could I would bring her a coffee or some other small gift. If I want to stay here, I’m going to need to find a way to make money.

“I haven’t been sleeping well.At all.If I could only get a good night’s sleep. Maybe?” Even from across the road I can hear the exhaustion in her voice.

“Maybe, what?”

Coco moves to stand in front of the windows and looks out, her eyes unfocused, lost in thought. “You know how I told you Dwayne showed up?”

Trixie comes to stand next to her, hands on her hips. “Did that asshole stop by again?”

“Nothing like that.” She turns to her friend, shoulders slumped. “Ever since he showed up, I keep feeling like someone’s watching me.”

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