Chapter 18 - Eleanor - Purge With My Demons

“Oh, Ms. Loch, you have a delivery.” Roxanna, our new intern, stopped me as I was leaving for lunch with Owen.

“Roxanna, please just call me Eleanor.” I smiled at her, trying to make her feel more comfortable. “Where is it?” I looked around, not seeing a package or envelope with my name on it.

“He insisted you had to be the one to accept them. I was just about to instant message you.” She pointed to a young guy sitting in a chair in our tiny lobby. He was holding flowers, my favorite flowers. My heart started pounding.

I smiled at her again, trying to hide the fact that I was absolutely freaking out. “Thanks. I’ll be back in a bit.”

When I approached the guy, he stood holding a small bouquet of black tulips. I was immediately brought back to the little bundle I bought myself that got squished. “You really could have left these with Roxanna,” I said to him as he handed me possibly the most beautiful flowers I’d ever seen.

“With all due respect, I really couldn’t. The order specifically stated they must be handed directly to Eleanor Loch.” He referenced a receipt, and I tried to sneak a peek at it to see who placed the order but came up short.

“Oh, okay. Who are they from?” I looked at the bouquet and didn’t see a note or a card.

“Right, sorry.” He fumbled with a small folder from his back pocket and handed me a tiny card from a local florist, Ravens and Roses. I’d admired their arrangements for a long time but never went in. “Have a great day.” And just like that, he left.

I was left standing there holding the flowers and a tiny envelope, so confused. I turned around, and Roxanna was just staring at me, wide-eyed.

“Oh wow, that’s crazy.” She walked around her desk and approached me. “Here, I’ll take them, you go enjoy your lunch. They’ll be here when you get back.”

Hesitantly, I handed the tulips to her, my heart still pounding. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she couldn’t see my pulse in my neck. “Thanks, Roxanna. I’ll be back by two.” The smile she returned was small but full of understanding. She said so much with the small gesture.

As I walked through the building, I held on to the envelope like my life depended on it. When I finally made it outside, I looked down and my knuckles were white, I was gripping the dark purple envelope so tightly.

With shaky hands, I opened the envelope.

I hope these last a bit longer than your last ones. See you soon, My Soul.

I stop dead in my tracks in the middle of the busy sidewalk, staring at the note. There is no way these were from who I think they are. Immediately, Owen comes to mind. He called me his soul the other day, and he knew my other flowers were ruined. But how would he know where I worked?

Logically, I know he could have just asked Giordana. But she probably would have told me he asked.

She was so damn sneaky.

Gingerly, I placed the note back in the envelope and put it in my purse. Pulling up a SoundWave on my phone and adjusting my headphones over my ears, I lose myself in a melodic curated mix and continue my walk to Purge.

When I rounded the corner, the smells from the Italian bakery next door to Purge caught my attention. I close my eyes and inhale deeply, breathing in the sweet aroma of fried dough. I decided to place an order for pick up on my way back to the office. A tiramisù for Quinn, a caramel panna cotta for me, and I get a traditional cannoli for Roxanna.

Owen met me at the door and scooped me up into his arms as soon as I walked into Purge. Giordana was already sitting at our usual booth with club sandwiches and lemonades.

“This is—” Owen was cut off abruptly.

“I’m Ashton. I’m so excited to meet you.” Arms were wrapped around my neck before I had a chance to reply.

“That’s Ashton. They don’t know about personal space.”

“Owen, shut up.” Ashton let go of me, and I was finally able to actually look at them. Long brown hair and sweet emerald eyes stared back up at me. They were exquisite, so beautiful.

“It’s so great to finally meet you.” I smiled and was genuinely thrilled to be meeting the rest of Owen’s friends. Getting closer to him felt like it was filling a void in me I didn’t know existed. “Sorry I’m a little late. I got this weird delivery right before I left work.” I hang my purse on the back of my chair and sit down. My accusatory gaze drifted to Owen.

“It’s okay, the sandwiches just got here,” Owen said, giving me an adorable look. “A weird delivery? What kind of delivery?”

“Yeah. So, as I was leaving, I had a flower delivery.” I pulled out the note and set it on the table. Giordana and Ashton both reached for it immediately.

Owen leaned forward, getting close to my face. “So weird.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He planted a whisper of a kiss on my lips. “You’re welcome, my soul.”

“Why do you call me that? You’ve said it a few times now. And it was in the note.”

He leaned back away from me, “We need to—”

“You’re such an old softy, Owen.” Giordana tossed a napkin at him. Her blueish-purple eyes sparkling as they bounced between us.