Later that week, your best friend and assistant, Rose, hugs you. "You are going to lunch with me today, right?" She says as she strolls out the office door.

You roll your eyes. "Yes, I have time now that the deadline is met." 

You have been putting her off for two weeks, trying to finish your second story before the deadline. Now that it is completed, you look forward to a bit of break time.

I would have finished it sooner if it hadn't been for Aaron invading my thoughts. Ugh!

Rose comes back in carrying a vase of flowers. "Should I put these with the others?"

You loudly sigh. You have received flowers from Aaron since you saw him at the mall. Each is tagged with a note begging to see you or asking for forgiveness.

"Yes, just put it with the others. That's fine." You wonder how he knew where to send them. You knew the unknown number on your phone must be him. You get one daily, and just let it go to your voicemail.

She laughs as she carries it out to join the others in the reception office where her desk is. The reception area's empty spaces have flowers to the point that the last place to put these was on her own desk. It does smell just like a flower shop. She nuzzles her nose into the flowers. "Mmm."

She walks back into your office. "You know you could open a florist shop. Have you talked to him yet?"

"No, and I don't want to either."

She shrugs, disappointed. "Lovely flowers, though, and he is so persistent. Is he cute? I'm asking for a friend."

You almost choke on your coffee, laughing, "You can have them. Both of them, the flowers and him."

She shakes her head, "No, thanks. He's not my type, but I feel you should talk with him."

"Ugh! Taytay says the same thing. Have you two been talking?"

"Ha! Your sister is right. You should hear him out. I think he's in love with you. How long are you going to make this man beg?"

You jump at her so close to her face that your noses almost touch. "You have been talking to her! She used the exact same words last night!"

"But you should talk to him. I know you liked him once."

"Stay out of it, Rose . . ." You see the hurt look on her face and soften to her; after all, it's not her fault.

"I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't mean to speak to you like that. I'm just so messed up right now."You look at your watch and see that its lunch time.

You grab your purse and jacket and walk out, saying, "I expect dark chocolate ice cream after lunch as payment for your treasonous acts!"

You laugh on the way out as she throws a chair cushion at you and misses. She grabs her coat and catches up with you. She takes you by the arm.

"Hey, come with me for dinner and drinks tonight before heading home. You need girl time."

You pull away from her. "I'm having lunch with you, and now you want me to have dinner with you, too? I'm not dating you, Rose Petal." 

She giggles at you, calling her by her childhood nickname. "I know we're not, but you have been so busy with that novel that I've missed you." She pouts at you.

You laugh, saying, "You and your pouts." You slip your arm through hers, "So where should we go for lunch?" she suggests a place, and you agree. She already chose a place with your sisters input.

You walk into the quaint little restaurant, and the aroma of the food makes your tummy growl and your mouth water. There sits your sister, Anne. You look at Rose, frowning.

"This was a setup! You now owe me a double scoop of ice cream." You tell her as you both join your sister at the table. You are happy lunch is on a limited time frame. As much as you try to avoid it, you know your sister will bring up Aaron.

After finishing lunch you sit back to enjoy your double scoop of dark chocolate ice cream. As you savor the last spoonful, you close your eyes, letting it slowly but deliciously melt on your tongue.

"So when will you see Falcon?" Your sister asks.

The ecstasy of that final spoonful is like mud in your mouth now. You discreetly spit it into your napkin and take a few sips of water.

"I rather not discuss him, Taytay."

"But Lanne, he is ardently longing to talk with you. I think he wants to make things right." She says, hoping you will relent and talk to him.

You sigh in frustration before saying, "It has been too many years. Why now?" You ask her.

"He is a very busy person, and you," Rose pats your hand, "Are a very busy author. You both are always traveling and working. You should at least listen to what he has to say."

Your sister pats your other hand, and you look at her as she pleads, "Please, I know he has feelings for you. You two were practically joined at the hip when you were younger. He never got a chance to tell you goodbye. We moved so quickly."

You are drawn into a memory of the days before moving when he tried to talk to you at school. But as soon as he approached, he would suddenly turn back. Your last night before you moved away, Taytay said he was standing outside your window till your dad chased him off, not realizing who it was. Your dad was upset, thinking it was another boy there to harass you.

Your sister squeezes your hand, and you drop the memory, "Please, La, talk to him and then close the door on the past."

You sigh and look at both of them. Resignedly, you nod and tell them, "Okay. I will."

They both jump up to hug you. You put up your hands to stop them. "But only so I can finally close the door on him forever, and you two can stop badgering me about him."

Rose and Anne look at each other and then hold their hands out to you. "Agreed!" They say, and you three shake.

You hug your sister. "Thanks for lunch, Taytay. I love you."

She is hugging you too, "I love you too. Promise me you will . . ."

You pull away from her, rolling your eyes, "Ugh, yes, yes, I will. I promise."

But on my own time, like, never! You think to yourself.

You and Rose leave the little restaurant while your sister pays the bill. It's good having a big sister unless she's too bossy. You laugh.

Rose asks, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing." Taytay has always been the best sister anyone could ask for, except when it comes to being bossy.

Rose decides to let it go, and you both walk quietly back to the office. On the way back, you tell her where to meet for dinner so there won't be any more surprises. With those two, they would arrange for Aaron to show up. God forbid!

You knew you had a few days off, but once you returned to the office, you set to work. You must proofread another story before sending it to your editor for final corrections. 

Before you know it, Rose comes in with her coat on and is ready to leave.

You stretch and rub the back of your neck. She hands you your coat and says, "Come on, boss, let's go home."

You drop her off at her apartment, and when you get home, you drop on the couch, your things falling to the floor. Your sister comes out of the kitchen and stands there staring at you.

"What?" you say as she playfully glares at you.

She grabs your things and hands them to you. "Go and put them up."

"Ugh, Taytay, do I have to? Those things aren't in the way. I'll move them later."

"You will put your coat and things away in their proper place."

You whine, "Yes, mother dear."

"Good, and when you're done, go take a shower and get ready for dinner tonight. I'm meeting you and Rose Petal for drinks afterward."

You drag yourself up from the couch and lean on her, whispering in her ear, "I know you like her."

Her eyes open wide, and you giggle and run off to your room with her chasing you. Laughing, you quickly shut your bedroom door and lock it. You stick your tongue out at the door.

You can hear her laughing as she goes back down the hall. "Put that tongue away. You're too young for that!"

Just like a mom, she has eyes in the back of her head and can see through doors! 

You laugh as you grab a change of clothes and head for the shower.