Page 27 of Wicked Lies Grow Wildflowers

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

MAEREN

My body heats at the thought of my night with Xander and I briefly zone out as it replays in my mind.

Shaking myself out of my trance, I finish gathering my things after work, sad the day’s ended so soon.

I normally can’t wait to leave the office, but I’m dreading the drive over to my mother’s.

I figured I should just rip the band aid off and grab whatever I had forgotten there so I can be over and done with it.

When I arrive I see Leanne’s shiny white car parked in the drive and take a deep inhale, bracing myself for the exchange.

My knuckles anxiously rap on her door, and a few seconds later, it opens to her scowl.

“Maeren,” she practically snarls, “how good to see you.”

“Mother.” My tone is firm, letting her know I am not about to play into her nonsense today. “I’m here to grab a bracelet Simon said I left?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, you didn’t leave anything here. And how would you have talked to Simon? Hmmm?” Her head cocks accusingly.

“We ran into each other at the grocery store and he mentioned it.”

Simon then appears behind my mother, his frame engulfing hers as he leans against the door jam. “Maeren,” he greets, “how lovely to see you!”

I turn my attention to him, ignoring my mother altogether. “Hi, I was just here to grab that bracelet you said I’d left.”

“Oh! Yes! Please come in! Leanne, I forgot to tell you I found some jewelry of hers. Let me see if I can find it.” He steps aside and pulls my begrudging mother with him, gesturing me into the foyer.

My mother—Leanne, I need to call her Leanne—is shooting daggers at me now, once again without warrant.

My mere existence is enough for her to hate me.

Some things will never change, I suppose.

We stand there in silence, waiting for Simon to return.

I’m afraid of breathing too loudly or moving my eyes the wrong way, worried I’ll really set Leanne off.

Simon’s approaching footsteps sound and I clear my throat, turning away from my mother to offer him a tight smile.

“Here it is! Sorry it took so long for me to find it. It was in a box of keepsakes in your old room, I went through it while cleaning for your mom.” He hands the bracelet to me and I turn it over in my hands, not recognizing it.

“Um, are you sure this is mine? I don’t recognize it.”

“Yes, it has to be, your mother said it wasn’t hers. Isn’t that right, sweetie?” He asks my mother warmly.

“Yes. Right. I’d honestly forgotten all about it. It must be yours, Maeren. You’re free to take it.” I’m surprised she doesn’t want the thing for herself.

The heavy tension between us all makes me feel awkward. The air might shatter with the weight of it if I don’t get out of here soon. “Well, thanks. I had better be going, I have a few more errands to run today. It was nice seeing the both of you.”

My mother scoffs at that and Simon offers to walk me to the door. “Don’t worry about your mom too much,” he offers, “she’s just in a bad mood today is all.”

“She’s been in a bad mood since I was born I think,” I try and jest.

Simon leans over me and opens the door, his head hovering over mine and I swear I hear him inhale the scent of my hair.

My heart races at the exchange and I hurriedly say my goodbye, not wanting to stay a second longer.

That was so fucking weird. Maybe I’m just imagining it.

I’m probably just overthinking the exchange, and it was harmless.

If my mother knew I had such a thought, she’d admonish me for my audacity.

But I can’t keep myself from feeling violated anyways.

Once I return home from all my errands, I head out for my usual evening run.

I push all thoughts of Leanne and the slimy exchange with Simon away while I focus on the pump of my legs as I drive my feet into the pavement, relishing in the slam of my heart against my chest. I almost stumble as I think of Xander and all the ways he makes my heart beat against my chest, too.

Stopping by my mailbox before heading inside, I find a single carnation amidst my mail.

I bet Xander left it to surprise me after our night together.

I smile to myself and take it inside, spotting the bracelet on my kitchen table.

It might not have been mine, but it was given to me, plus it’s beautiful.

It’s a silver tennis style bracelet, and I’m sure the stones are fake because there’s no way my mother or myself could afford anything like this to be real.

Nonetheless, I put it on, admiring the sparkle.

I add the carnation to the growing bouquet on my table, most of them dead or dying, but I don’t have the heart to throw them out.

Not when they are from him. Then I get an idea and I take the newest flower out of the vase, holding it up for a selfie and then send it to Xander with the caption “Thinking of you now.” I’ve never sent him a photo before, so I feel a bit giddy about it.

A few minutes later he messages me back.

Xander: You’re the prettiest wildflower of them all.

Swoon.

I chew on my lower lip as I type, “When can I see you again?” and hit send.

Xander: So eager for more, are you now?

No. I mean yes obviously. But it’s more than that.

Me: Don’t flatter yourself too much, though I do enjoy your company.

Xander: Oh you enjoy far more than just my company, but sure, we’ll pretend it’s just that.

I laugh at his audacity and roll my eyes. Always so cheeky.

The bubble pops up, letting me know he’s typing again.

Xander: Tomorrow night I’ll pick you up at six. Wear something sexy.

I’m smiling ear to ear when I tell him,

Me: It’s a date

Sage is helping me pick out my outfit for tonight.

I was way too nervous to get ready on my own, especially because we’re going somewhere nice.

We’re both rooting through my closet, trying to find the perfect thing that screams sexy but sophisticated, when Sage pulls out a black dress I’ve never even taken the tags off of.

Sage holds the dress out at arms length and squeals, “This is the one!!!”

“I actually forgot I even had that, I bought it on a whim,” I smile at her.

“Every woman needs a little black dress, and this is just the occasion for it. Go put it on right now. And don’t forget your sexiest underwear,” she winks at me.

The silky fabric of the dress feels smooth against my skin, and once everything is in place I step out of my bathroom for Sage to see it. Her jaw drops to the floor. “Oh. My. God. You look hot! So hot! It’s perfect!” She smiles wide, her dark eyes glittering.

Turning to the mirror I smile, noting how well it fits me.

The thin straps flattering on my shoulders, the deep V at the chest doing the Lord's work. It hugs my figure in all the right places, hitting a few inches below my knees with a high split up one leg. I think this may be the best thing I’ve ever worn. “Wow,” is all I manage.

“Yeah, wow. Now let me do your hair!” Sage brandishes a curling wand at me, adding a few loose waves to liven up my stands.

Then I head to the bathroom and do my makeup: brows, blush, eyeliner, and bold red lipstick with some gloss on top.

I settle on a pair of simple black pumps and do a final spin for Sage.

She whistles at me before joking, “Xander is one lucky man, I’ll tell you that much. If he wasn’t already taking you out tonight, I definitely would.”

I giggle back at her, “Very funny,” and then send a message to Xander, letting him know I’m ready for tonight.

When he arrives at my door Sage runs to open it, wanting to greet him first since she’s never actually met him yet.

Her eyes run over him from head to toe, and being several inches shorter than me she cranes her neck to meet his eyes.

“So, you’re the one making Maeren’s eyes roll huh?

” I nearly choke at that, my eyes bulging out of my head.

“The one and only.” He holds out his hand for her to shake and she takes it, beaming up at him, but I know that look, she’s feigning sweetness.

Sage pulls him in close to herself, stretching up on her toes to look him in the eyes. “If you ever hurt a single hair on her head I will make it my life’s mission to ruin you. Got it?” she threatens.

Still holding onto her hand he leans down and promises, “Wouldn’t ever dream of it, and if I did, I’d gladly let you destroy me however you see fit.”

Sage drops his hand at that and narrows her eyes, trying to judge his sincerity. I take that as my cue to make my presence known and step out from behind the door, shoving Sage out of the way.

"Please ignore Sage, she can be a little… overbearing at times. But she means well,” I awkwardly laugh, trying to break the tension between them.

I try to keep my tongue in my mouth but I feel like a panting dog when I take in his well fitted suit and tie.

I mean very well fitted. The way his trousers hug his thighs should be a crime.

Xander grabs my upper arms and runs his hands up and down them, relaxing me. “No worries, she seems like a really good friend.”

I drag my eyes from Xander and try to cool the heat in them before looking over at Sage, tossing her a smile. “Yeah, she really is.”

“You look incredible,” he says, finally having a moment to really take me in. “So beautiful.”

I feel like a girl getting picked up for prom. “Thank you.” I chew on my bottom lip and teeter in my heels on the carpet as we both stare at each other for a minute. His eyes rove over my body, telling me just how well Sage and I did tonight.

Sage coughs to break the tension. “Okayyyy,” she claps, “While I’m all for sexual expression, I’d appreciate it if you guys didn’t go at it on the living room floor while I’m standing right here.”

I take a step back from Xander, a little embarrassed that Sage just watched us undress each other with our eyes. “Let me grab my coat and we can head out.”