a different sex as you’d be the man of my dreams.”
I nearly wet myself laughing as we both stand there giggling away like idiots. I almost miss the doorbell buzz we’re so loud.
“Hold on a sec, Brian, I’ll be right back.”
I turn and make my way to the door, looking through the peephole. I see a man holding some flowers. “Who is it?” I bellow.
“I have a delivery for a Miss Ana-Lucia Sinclair.”
I bury my head in my hands. There’s only one person who calls me by that name. I open the door and spot a huge bunch of the most beautiful pink hydrangeas. I sign the clipboard, then he hands me the flowers. I thank him then make my way back to the kitchen.
“Wow, someone loves you very much.”
I smile at Brian as I place the flowers down so I can look at the card. Attached is a beautiful silver key ring of a star. I open the note and silently read it.
I chose hydrangeas as, apparently, they represent perseverance, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to use that word to its fullest. I love you more than anything in the world. Please take me back. All my love, Jake.
I smile as a single tear falls down my face. I don’t know how he does it, but he renders me to mush. If he were here, I’d be putty in his hands.
“I take it that this is from the man who broke your heart?” I don’t say a word, I just nod. “I guess he regrets that now.”
I look at Brian, taking him in. He’s slender, about five foot ten, and he has golden brown hair and light grey eyes. He’s pretty—very pretty. It really does make sense now. He’s the kind of boy you bitch about to your friends when describing how all the good guys are either married or gay.
“I’m so sorry about all this. Every time you see me, I’m bloody crying. Jeez, I need to get a hold of myself.”
He comes over and pats me on the shoulder. “Don’t sweat it, I’m used to it. I’m like an agony uncle to all five of my sisters. Whatever it is he’s done he’s obviously very sorry about it. However, whatever you decide to do is up to you and no one else. Only you can follow your heart and come up with the choice that’s right for you. Only you.”
I really like Brian now. He seems very sincere, and I think he and I are going to become firm friends. I hold up my glass to him. “To making the right choices.” Raising his glass to mine, we clink them together as he repeats my words back.
“Five sisters, huh?” I ask, raising an eyebrow and causing him to laugh.
“Yes, and they’re all older than me. It was quite interesting growing up, watching my father have a heart attack every time one of them had a date.”
I chuckle. “I bet.”
His phone vibrates, so he quickly licks his greasy fingers then wipes them on his jeans before answering.
“Hey, gorgeous, what’s up? Oh, you are? I was on the floor above visiting a new neighbor. She’s great, you have to meet her one day.” He winks at me, and I give him the thumbs up. “I’ll be right down then. Okay, see you soon. Love you.” He hangs up and thanks me for the wine and chicken. “I better be off as he’s waiting for me downstairs. It was nice meeting you again. We must go out for a drink one night.”
I consider telling him about our plans to go to the strip club, but I’m not sure where we’re going yet or if he would be in to that sort of thing.
Sod it! What the hell.
“A week from Saturday, a bunch of us are going to a strip club for a laugh if you’d like to join us. It was my birthday yesterday, so we’re celebrating that.”
I look at him to see if he thinks I’ve completely lost it, but he smiles. “That sounds like fun. Let me know when it is, and I’ll see if we can make it. Oh, and happy birthday for yesterday.”
“Thanks, that’s great. I’ll pop down when I know more.” He leaves, then I hastily make my way back to the bucket and wine. I grab it and head for the sofa, placing my chicken on the coffee table. It’s then I notice that the birthday card Jessie brought back from