I made it home in record time and slowed only when I saw something on the front porch. I approached cautiously until I saw that they were a bundle of roses. I raced up the steps and snatched them up and brought them to my chest. They were beautiful red and white roses in a bed of baby''s breath. I brought them to my nose breathing their wonderful scent deep until I saw an envelope sticking out of the back.

    Only when they were safely tucked into a vase did I read the message that came along with them.

    Mia,

    I know this is hard on you, it''s been hard on both of us. Nevertheless, I see the end coming and it''s leading to a bright future. It''s been a day since I held you in my arms and you''re still on my mind every waking second. I find myself counting the minutes until I can see you again. I hope you are as well. Until I see you again, think of me.

    Master Reed

    P. S. Lizzie said you have a new outfit. Wear it tomorrow and I''ll reward you well.

    His tender words brought tears to my eyes that I blinked rapidly away. Even if he hadn''t signed it, I would easily recognize his handwriting. I had a sinking feeling that I was already in love with him and I tried hard to tell myself that it was too soon.

    An idea came to mind as I stood there staring at my roses and my letter. I was going to send him a bouquet back just to let him know I was indeed thinking the same thing. After all, I didn''t see any reason why men couldn''t receive flowers as well.

    I grabbed the phone to call the first florist that I saw when I opened my phone book. Only to realize that I had no idea where he lived. I felt terrible that the only place I could think of was his club and that backroom.

    I shook my head to clear it of that memory and got to thinking. I was pretty sure Lizzie would know or could ask Jordan, at the very least. Yet, the idea of asking them was humiliating and the office was closed so I couldn''t even go look it up. I was groaning in disappointment when the logo on the flowers caught my eye.

    "Yes! I bet they''d have his address." I said out loud happily.

    I hurriedly looked up their number and called them immediately while I mentally patted myself on the back.

    "Tri-Area Flower Boutique. This is Sandy, how can I help you?" said the lady answering the phone.

    She sounded irritable but I brushed it off thinking it had to be close to the end of her day anyway.

    "Hi! This is Mia Johnson. I just got a delivery from you guys and I-"I began.

    "I''m sorry, no returns. If you would like to block the sender, please speak to the police," she said in the same monosyllabic tone.

    "What? No!" I said horrified.

    "If the roses were crushed. We do apologize and be assured the delivery man will be dealt with," she continued obviously not listening.

    "No! I just want-”

    She interrupted me again. "If the flowers are wilted-”

    "Lady, listen. I''m not sure what kind of shop you are running but I assure you the flowers are fine," I interrupted her, my patience walking on thin ice where she was concerned.

    "Ma''am, it''s a flower shop. Honestly, you''d be shocked as to what''s happened," she said her tone of disinterest belying her words.

    I pinched my nose and counted to ten.

    "Look, all I want to do is send flowers to the man who sent flowers to me, can you do that?”

    "Yes, Ma''am. Name?"

    "Mia Johnson," I said slowly.

    "That''s great, I meant his name," she said a touch of impatience in her voice now.

    "Reed Callaghan," I informed her in the same tone she was using on me.

    "Oh, him."

    I could hear the disgust in her voice. This woman was really grated on my nerves, and I had finally hit the end of my rope.

    "Yes, him. You know if you don''t want to help me please put me in touch with someone who does," I said harshly.

    "It''s not that I don''t want to help you. I just can''t understand why you''d want to send a man a bouquet back when he sends you some crappy flowers,"

    "Excuse me, not that it''s any of your business, but I happen to love roses,"

    There was silence on the other end, and I felt justified.

    "Well, not that it''s any of your business but he also sent a bouquet of daisies to another woman," The woman snarled on the other end before the phone was promptly slammed down.

    "Oh really?"I whispered my heart ripping in two.

    I set my phone gently on the table and looked at my roses as my mind raced. Why would he send me and his wife flowers? What was going on? I almost grabbed the phone and demanded answers from him. I wouldn''t take a "wait patiently" for an answer this time. No, I wasn''t going to beg this time and I wasn''t going to lay down for him anymore.

    Anger suddenly overtook me, especially when I had to admit my mother was right. I suddenly couldn''t remember why I was giving him so much of my time and patience. No more, I''ve seen this scenario played out too many times and I wasn''t going to be the ''other woman'' anymore. He wanted me to wait around for him while he still played to his wife''s fiddle?

    "Well, too fucking bad," I growled out loud to my empty kitchen.

    Renewed with a sense of determination and maybe a hint of vengeance, I jumped up and threw my flowers into the garbage. It was time for him to see that I may be submissive, but I was no one''s fool. I''d wear the little outfit for him tomorrow and let him look at it all the while I told him I was going to start seeing other men. Because, as my mom said it was time for him to man up or step back.

    No matter how much I kept telling myself that, I was angry.. I went to bed that night I was feeling a bit of anguish for tomorrow and fell asleep with a tear tracing its way down my face.