“You bet it is,” Duncan says excitedly. “Maybe Toto can even come stay with us sometimes?”
“Maybe,” I say with a shrug. “Toto is kind of happy in his old place now, though.”
Even if our old place has had a semi-makeover. With the help of Levi, Austin, and Duncan, I’d moved my boxes back into my apartment over the weekend, having renewed my lease for one more year. Only Levi managed to pull a fast one on me and surprise me. He’d told me that he and Austin would go out to my storage unit, get my furniture, and meet me at my place to move it back in.
When I arrived at my apartment, ready to move furniture, Levi stood on the porch holding his hands up in the air as if he was surrendering. “Do not be mad at me.”
He led me inside, and when he opened the door to my place, I discovered it was fully furnished with all new things. I’d navigated my way from room to room, my jaw dragging on the ground. He’d gone to Altman’s and repurchased a lot of the items I had on our fake bridal registry and outfitted my home totally under the radar.
“Levi said you got a signing bonus for your contractnegotiations,” Duncan says as he joins me in front of the shelves. “What kind of contract did you negotiate?”
“I’ll explain it to you one day,” I respond, reaching out and ruffling his hair in much the same way Levi does. This kid still needs a haircut, and I’m going to make him an appointment today.
The ding of the bell over the front door signals a new customer. I stand up and head to the front, surprised to find a florist there with the largest bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen.
“Are you Georgie Simpson?” the delivery man asks as I nod. “Sign here.”
I sign the sheet of paper he presents to me on a clipboard, watching as he places the bouquet on the front counter by the cash register. It’s so large that there’s no more room on the counter, not even if anyone wanted to buy a book.
“You’re sure it’s for me?”
The guy rolls his eyes and leaves, the bell ringing as he lets himself out.
“They’re pretty!” Duncan exclaims as we walk over to inspect the arrangement together. Lilies, roses, hyacinths, and more are stuffed into a beautiful glass vase. All of my favorites blended into one beautiful bundle.
I snatch the card that came with it from its hiding spot amongst the greenery, tearing open the envelope to see who sent them. When I slide the card out, I'm surprised to find there’s nothing on it. Just an “X.”
“Who’s it from?” Duncan asks, so I show him the card.
“Huh.” That’s all he says. It’s one word, but it’s weighted. I’ve got this kid’s number, you know.
“What does that ‘huh’ mean?” I say, narrowing my eyes as he giggles.
“Nothing, but maybe you’ll see,” he sings, clapping his hands together as the bell rings and the door opens again behindme.
Spinning around, I’m really surprised to see Mr. Altman hefting the giant metal ostrich I’d just returned back inside the store.
Mr. Altman in the bookstore with an ostrich? It’s like playing Clue.
“What is that for?” I ask incredulously as he places it beside the counter. “I don’t need that now.”
“It’s for you,” he says with a smirk, shooting a wink in Duncan’s direction. Beside me, Duncan claps in delight.
As Mr. Altman scoots out of the store, I turn around and place a hand on my hip. First eyeing the flowers, then the ostrich, then Duncan.
“Why do I feel like you know more than you’re letting on?”
“Because I do,” he squeals.
Note to Future Georgie: this kid will be terrible at surprises. Tell him nothing.
Laughing, I stare at him, wanting to shake him down for more info. “Duncan, you need to tell me what’s going on.”
Instead of responding, he just points outside to the street behind me. “Look out there.”
I turn around slowly, finding Levi standing on the sidewalk holding a giant sign. The words “I LOVE YOU” are clear as day, but it’s also been decorated, quite possibly by a very creative ten-year-old, with little scribbles all over it.
As I open the door to walk outside, Duncan yells out, “It’s a grand gesture!”
