She had just come in to her shop on the third day and was arranging a few new books that she hadn’t gotten around to putting out yesterday when the overhead bell rang. Tina startled and conflicting emotions collided in her. She made her way out of the back corner of the store, half expecting, half dreading seeing Grant. He hadn’t been very persistent in the past few days – not that she’d wanted him to be, but she had been wondering if he was giving up on her already. It wasn’t like him to stay away from her so long. When she told him to give her space, she hadn’t really believed he would follow through, but he had. It was unsettling, in a sense. Last night after not hearing from him, she had wondered if his silence indicated he was with Shelley again.

“We’re not open yet,” she said, emerging from an aisle of books warily.

“Oh… sorry.”

Tina followed the sound of the female voice and saw Bette standing there with a bouquet of flowers in a vase.

“It’s you,” Tina smiled, relief washing over her. For all her tortured thoughts, she wasn’t ready to face Grant just yet. “Good morning.” Her eyes settled on the bouquet and she raised her eyebrows. “Are those for me?”

Bette laughed. “They’re yours but they’re not from me. I was up early and I dropped by your house to see if you wanted to grab some breakfast, and some guy was there with these. He asked if I knew you and I said I did. Then he asked me if I would bring you these. He expected you to be at home, I guess.”

Tina cringed and accepted the flowers reluctantly. “Thanks.”

“Uh oh. And unwanted admirer? Borderline stalker?”

Tina froze and her hands slipped on the vase, almost dropping it. She set the flowers down on the counter.

“Are you okay?” Bette reached out a hand like she was going to touch Tina’s arm and then let it fall. “I’m sorry,” she said, tone turning serious.

“It’s nothing,” Tina said. She checked the card. The flowers were from Grant. Missing you. -G