Secret Liaisons by Shelia M. Goss Page B

of the room with all eyes on him as he pitched the two story ideas.
    Mona kept checking to make sure her phone was working. She wondered how things were going with Terrance. Did the network executives like his ideas? Did they specifically like hers? Those questions and more kept running through her head.
    She went through the normal Monday morning routine of checking emails and returning messages. She’d even forgotten about the phone call from her ex-fiancé Garrett.
    The door opened. Mona looked and saw a delivery guy holding a huge bouquet of flowers. “Is Mona Johnson here?” he asked.
    â€œI’m Mona.”
    â€œThese are for you. Can I get you to sign this to confirm delivery?” The delivery guy handed her the colorful bouquet.
    Mona moved things around on her desk with one hand while holding the bouquet of flowers with the other. She placed it down on her desk.
    The delivery guy held out a form requiring Mona’s signature. Mona signed. She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out some money from her purse and tipped him.
    Once the delivery guy was gone, she removed the card from the plastic stick to read it.
    She read out loud. “These flowers are beautiful but not as beautiful as you. Thank you for being a ray of sunshine.”
    She smiled when she saw Terrance’s name written at the bottom.
    She wanted to call him but wasn’t sure if he was still in the meeting. The door opened again. The delivery guy returned, but this time with a bouquet of red roses.
    â€œI just realized I had another delivery for you,” the delivery guy said.
    Mona stood and received the roses. “These are beautiful.”
    â€œIs it your birthday?” the delivery guy asked.
    â€œNo. But I love flowers so I’m not going to complain.” Mona took the vase of red roses and placed them on the other side of her desk.
    The delivery guy cleared his throat. Mona looked at him with a “what” look on her face. She’d given him a nice tip the first time. It’s not her fault that he had to return a second time. Her tip for him was, “Thank you. I hope you have a good day.”
    The delivery guy stood there for a few seconds and then left.
    â€œThat’s what I thought,” Mona said out loud.
    Terrance is really pouring it on thick , she thought to herself when she located the card attached to the vase. The flowers were from her friends, Charlotte and Kem.
    Mona smiled and sat down behind the computer. She sent the girls a quick text to thank them for the roses. She was about to call Terrance to thank him for the flowers he’d sent, when her cell phone rang.
    â€œMona, it’s Garrett,” she heard from the other end of the phone.
    â€œHow did you get my number?” Mona asked.
    â€œYour sister gave it to me.”
    â€œMy sister ? I can’t believe her. I’m going to kill her.”
    â€œDon’t be mad at her. She understands my need to see you. Please, give me the opportunity to speak with you in person,” Garrett said.
    â€œI probably shouldn’t but there are a few questions that I want to ask you. Questions I deserve the answers to.”
    â€œGreat. When can we meet?” he asked.
    â€œNot sure. How long will you be in LA?”
    â€œI’m here for good. You’re one of the reasons why I’ve come back.”
    â€œGarrett, you can save the BS for another woman. You fooled me once. I’m not falling for it again.”
    â€œMona, I don’t want to argue with you. Once you hear me out, you will sing a different tune.”
    â€œI doubt it. I got your number on my phone. You’ve called enough times. I’ll call you and let you know when I’m available to meet. When we do, it will be in a public place. Is that understood?” Mona asked.
    â€œOf course. We’ll meet at a place of your choosing. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to make things right,” Garrett