Be My Valencrime

by Amy M. Reade

  Lilly shook her head affectionately. “She’ll say yes, Harry. I know she will. You’d better have a look at that dessert menu before you go.”

  He reddened and turned away. “I already did,” he said with a shy smile. “I’m having the chocolate mousse if she says yes.”

  Lilly gave him a broad grin. “That’s the spirit.”

  They unlocked the front door and were practically run off their feet all day with customers who needed last-minute gifts and weren’t hesitant about cost. When she finally locked the door after the last customer, she leaned her back against it. “I think that was the biggest crush of people I’ve ever had in here.”

  “Well, I’m glad it’s over. I’ve got somewhere to be.” Harry tried to smile, but he swallowed hard instead and started coughing.

  “Let’s just get things put in the vault and you can get on with your plans,” Lilly said. She took two pieces of jewelry from the display case and headed to the back. Harry followed, but when he reached to put a necklace and matching bracelet into the vault, Lilly noticed his hands shaking.

  “Harry, look at me.”

  He took a deep breath, put the jewelry on the vault tray, and turned to face Lilly.

  “This should be one of the happiest evenings of your life,” she told him. “I’m going to finish putting the jewelry away and I want you to go home and take some deep breaths and maybe have a glass of wine to settle your nerves. She’s going to say yes, I just know it. You have nothing to be nervous about.”

  “Thanks, boss.”

  “You know I can’t stand it when you call me that,” Lilly chided.

  “I know.” He grinned and took another deep breath. “Okay, I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

  Harry left, tripping as he went out the back door. He turned around to look at Lilly with a sheepish grin and she shook her head. “Maybe two glasses of wine,” she called after him. He gave her a thumbs-up and slid behind the wheel of his car.

  Lilly chuckled to herself. He was such a good guy. Alice was lucky. And she seemed like such a nice person the few times Lilly had met her. Harry was lucky, too.

  She turned her attention to putting away the rest of the jewelry displays, then went home to change her clothes for dinner.

  Lilly took her time getting dressed that evening. She had a beautiful coral-colored flare dress that she paired with a vintage coral necklace she had found at an antique store. She slipped on a pair of nude pumps and was ready to go.

  A few minutes before she had to leave for The Water Wheel, she went through the mail in the kitchen. Laurel came in from walking Barney, her cheeks red and her eyes bright.

  “Do you know yet what you and Nick are doing tonight?” Lilly asked.

  “He’s going to pick me up and we’re going somewhere quiet. That’s all he said.”

  “Sounds romantic,” Lilly said with a smile. “I don’t need to tell you to make good choices, right?”

  Laurel rolled her eyes. “No, Mom.”

  “Good. I’m meeting Hassan at The Water Wheel. I’ll see you later. Have fun, honey.” She leaned over to kiss Laurel’s cheek.

  “I will.” Laurel walked to the back door to close it behind her mother. Lilly went down the steps and Laurel called behind her, “Make good choices, Mom!” She laughed and Lilly shook her head, waving.

  Lilly drove to The Water Wheel and found Hassan waiting. As usual, he opened her car door, offered her his hand, and closed the door behind her. Lilly was all for equal rights and equal pay for equal work, but this bit of chivalry always made her smile. She hoped Tighe would treat a young woman the same way on a date.

  Hassan kissed her and took her hand. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “Starving. I didn’t even get time for lunch today.”

  He grinned. “And I slept through lunch, so I didn’t eat, either. I hope the portions are big tonight.”

  The restaurant was doing a bustling Valentine’s Day business. All the tables were taken by couples. There were no children in sight, and no tables with groups of friends and family. This was a night just for people in love.

  A server led the way to their table and pulled out Lilly’s chair. Hassan waited to sit until she was seated. They ordered two glasses of wine and looked at the menu.

  When their wine came they placed their orders. After the server disappeared, Hassan picked up his glass and raised it. “Here’s to many more Valentine’s Days together.” He smiled at her.

  Lilly blushed. She picked up her glass and clinked it against his. “To many more Valentine’s Days together.” She couldn’t stop smiling.

  As she took a sip of the wine, it struck her, not for the first time, that he was talking about a long-term future. After all, wasn’t that what he had in mind when he bought a house in Juniper Junction? She set her glass down and looked at him, wondering why she hadn’t thought of this before. Was it possible he was going to propose tonight?

  She had thought about marriage to Hassan, of course, but always with a feeling that something like that was in the distant future. Now her heart beat faster as the thought of marriage to Hassan zinged around in her head like a pinball.

  Was she ready for such a step? Her first marriage had ended with such a dull thud that she wasn’t sure she could handle a second marriage. Why hadn’t she given this some thought before now?

  She was in a panic. What would she tell him if he proposed? She didn’t want to say anything that would hurt him, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to accept, either. She took a deep, ragged breath.

  Hassan’s brow wrinkled. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You look pale.”

  “Do I? It’s probably because I’m drinking wine with no food in my stomach.”

  “Don’t drink any more until we at least get you some bread,” he cautioned. She nodded, her neck tight.

  He looked around for their server and, catching his eye from across the room, motioned him over. He asked for a basket of bread and the server brought it immediately, along with bruschetta and a crock of soft butter.

  Hassan broke a piece of bread and handed it to Lilly. “I’m worried about you,” he said. “Here, eat this.”

  He watched as she chewed slowly. “Feel any better?”

  Lilly nodded. “Thanks.” She could have died from embarrassment. She couldn’t tell him why she had felt so shaky all of a sudden.

  “Eat a little more, then I have a gift for you.”

  The lightheadedness came on quickly. She stuffed more bread in her mouth, hoping it would stave off a fainting spell. Anyone watching her would have thought she hadn’t eaten in a month.

  “Lilly, are you sure you’re okay?” Hassan asked, tilting his head.

  She nodded, swallowing the giant hunk of bread. She took another sip of wine so she wouldn’t choke to death.

  “I’m okay,” she finally said. If he pulled an engagement ring out of his pocket, she would just say yes. That’s what she wanted, after all. They would just choose a wedding date far in the future, when she was ready.

  “If you’re sure,” Hassan said. His voice was filled with skepticism.

  “I’m sure, really.”

  “If you say so. I want you to close your eyes now.” He reached into his breast pocket. Lilly took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She opened one eye a tiny bit and peeked.

  “No peeking,” he said with a laugh. She closed her eye again.

  “Now hold out your hands.” She did as she was told.

  She could feel a box being placed into her palms. It was about the size of a postcard and an inch tall.

  Engagement rings don’t come in boxes like that, she thought.

  “Open your eyes.”

  She opened them and he was smiling expectantly.

  “Open it,” he urged.

  She looked at the shiny red box. It wasn’t wrapped in paper, but it had a white grosgrain ribbon tied around
it. She was confused.

  She untied the ribbon and lifted the lid off the box. Nestled inside cotton batting was a folded piece of paper. She took it out, unfolded it, and read it silently to herself.

  She smiled as it dawned on her what the gift was. It was a weekend getaway for two at a five-star hotel in Aspen.

  How embarrassing. Here she was, expecting an engagement ring and not knowing how to respond to a proposal, and all he wanted to do was take her to Aspen for a couple days. She grinned at him, hoping he didn’t sense her relief.

  “What do you think?”

  “I already can’t wait to go!” she exclaimed in a quiet voice. “Thank you. This is a wonderful gift.”

  “You’re disappointed, I can tell.”

  “No, no. I’m really not. I’m actually thrilled.”

  “You’re not acting like yourself,” he said. Then his eyes widened and he covered his mouth with one hand. “Oh, my God. You thought I was going to propose.”

  She didn’t say anything. What could she say?

  “Lilly, it’s….” He stopped and looked like he was searching for the right words. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no sound came out.

  “I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t propose without talking to you about it first. I’m so sorry,” he repeated.

  “Hassan.” Lilly leaned forward and grasped his hand. “It’s okay. Really. I was in a panic because I didn’t know what to say if you proposed. I wanted us to talk about it first, too.”

  He heaved a sigh of relief. “I can’t believe I didn’t think this through.”

  “I didn’t, either,” she admitted. “It never occurred to me until I had that first sip of wine.”

  “And that’s why you turned pale suddenly.” He shook his head. “We will talk about it, I promise. I don’t want to do anything until you’re ready. You’ve just had so much going on in the past year or so that I was afraid I would overwhelm you if I proposed.”

  Lilly nodded. “And I made such a failure of my first marriage that I don’t know if I’m the type who should be married.”

  He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. “I think you’re the type. But we can talk about it later. For now, let’s enjoy dinner and talk about when you can get away for a few days in Aspen.”

  Just then, as if on cue, the server brought their entrées. Lilly had picked up her fork to take a bite of her chicken when her phone buzzed in her purse, which lay across her lap.

  She didn’t answer it. She wanted to enjoy Hassan’s company in their favorite restaurant and have a romantic Valentine’s Day. The buzzing stopped, but it started up again just a moment later.

  She sighed. “Someone’s calling me and they’ve called twice in the last minute. It might be important.”

  She reached for the phone and checked the caller ID. Laurel was calling from the house.

  “Hi, honey,” she answered.

  Hysterical sobbing erupted on the other end.

  Chapter 10

  “Laurel? What’s wrong?”

  Lilly couldn’t hear Laurel’s response through the muffled weeping.

  “I can’t understand you, Laurel. You have to calm down. Are you hurt?”

  “... broke ... up…,” Laurel answered, gasping for air.

  “Who broke up?” Lilly was starting to get a tingly feeling along her arms. She had a hunch the evening was about to go downhill fast.

  “Me ... and Nick,” Laurel cried.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Lilly murmured. “Just a sec, honey.” Lilly covered the speaker on her phone and looked at Hassan. “Laurel and Nick broke up. I really should get home.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “Sure. I’ll tell the waiter that we’d like our meals to-go. You go home to be with Laurel and I’ll wait here for the food. I’ll drop yours off on my way home.”

  “Thanks.” She uncovered the phone. “Laurel, I’m coming right home. Just give me a few minutes.”

  “I don’t ... want to ruin ... your night,” Laurel said through her sobs.

  “You’re not ruining anything. I’ll be there soon.” She hung up and gave Hassan a sad smile. “I’m sorry about this, but she really needs her mom right now. Thanks for dropping off dinner.” He came around the table and pulled out her chair for her, then kissed her and shooed her toward the exit.

  Lilly drove home quickly, hoping Laurel wouldn’t hyperventilate before she got there. She had visions of Laurel lying on the kitchen floor, unconscious, and she drove faster.

  When she got home Laurel was lying face-down on the sofa in the living room. Barney stood watch next to her, probably wondering what was going on.

  Lilly tousled the fur on his head and sat down next to Laurel, placing her hand gently on Laurel’s back.

  “I’m home.”

  Laurel slowly turned over onto her back. Her face was red and puffy from crying. A river of mucus ran from her nose and across her cheek. She was still crying, but not as hard as she had been when they talked on the phone.

  “What happened?” Lilly asked.

  Laurel took a deep breath and told her story between the tears that were beginning to flow more slowly.

  “He picked me up and we went to one of the diners outside of town. I thought it was weird because last year for Valentine’s Day he got me flowers and we went to a fancy place on Main Street. So we sat down and ordered and then he said he wanted to talk to me about something. Then he said he didn’t think we should see each other anymore.”

  At this point the tears fell faster again and Lilly leaned into Laurel to put her arm around the girl’s shoulders.

  “It’s okay,” she said softly. “Cry it all out.”

  “I don’t know why he just couldn’t tell me here or in the car or something,” Laurel finally said. “I mean, who takes someone out to dinner to break up with them? It was stupid. Did he think I wanted to eat after that? So I told him to take me home and then I called you as soon as he dropped me off.”

  “And you don’t know why he thinks you shouldn’t see each other anymore? I mean, did he give you a reason?”

  “He says that we’re just different people than we were a year ago. That’s all. What does that even mean?” She threw her hands up in the air and let them fall into her lap.

  Lilly didn’t have an answer.

  “And the prom dress! I guess I’m not going to prom.” Laurel’s face crumpled again.

  “You don’t know that,” Lilly said. “Maybe you can get a group of girls to go together. I bet that would be even better than going with a date.”

  Laurel shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought I would be going with Nick.” She sniffled loudly. There was a knock at the back door.

  Lilly went to open it and Hassan stood there holding a paper bag. “Here’s your dinner,” he whispered.

  “Who’s that?” Laurel called from the living room.

  “It’s Hassan. He just came to drop something off and he’s headed home.”

  Laurel appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Hi, Hassan. I guess you know what happened?”

  He nodded solemnly. “I’m very sorry to hear about it, Laurel.”

  Laurel looked down. “Me, too.”

  Hassan turned to leave. “You can stay,” Laurel said. “I know I interrupted your dinner. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” Hassan assured her. “This is much more important.”

  “Is that your dinner?” Laurel asked Lilly, nodding toward the bag.

  “Yes. Want to share it with me? It’s fancy chicken.”

  Laurel shrugged. “I don’t know if I can eat. I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

  Lilly turned to Hassan. “Why don’t you get your meal from the car and eat it here?” Then she faced Laurel. “You need to eat. You didn’t have dinner, and you’re under a lot of stress right now. You don’t have to eat a lot, but you should eat something. Sit down and you and I can share the chicken.”

  “Are you sure it’s all right with you if
I stay?” Hassan asked Laurel.

  She nodded. “Yeah. I want you to stay.” He went out to his car. Laurel pulled out a kitchen chair and slumped into it. Lilly poured her a glass of milk, swirled some chocolate sauce in it, and took it to the table. Laurel gave it a dejected look. “I wish I was dead.”

  “I know you feel horrible right now.” Lilly sat down next to her daughter. “But it will get better with time, I promise. The pain will eventually go away.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because, believe it or not, I was your age once and I had boyfriends, too. There was one in particular who broke up with me right before Christmas and I thought the world would end. In fact, I hoped the world would end. But I got over it, the world didn’t end, and I moved on.”

  “What kind of a guy breaks up with his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day?” Laurel asked, tears tracking down her cheeks again.

  “Not a very nice one, that’s for sure,” Lilly said, putting her arm around Laurel’s shoulders and squeezing.

  Hassan knocked once at the back door and came into the kitchen carrying his own dinner. “Laurel, you can share my dinner, too. It’s Fettuccine Alfredo.”

  “I love Fettuccine Alfredo,” Laurel gulped. “You’re so nice, Hassan.” A loud sob broke forth. Hassan glanced at Lilly with a look of horror. Clearly, he was not accustomed to dealing with issues affecting teenage girls. Lilly almost chuckled, but she managed to check herself.

  “Everything is going to work out, Laurel. You’ll see. Someday you’ll look back on this and not feel sad at all,” she said.

  Laurel could only nod and sniffle. Lilly popped her chicken into the microwave and served it to Laurel, piping hot, just a minute later. “Eat some of this. Just a few bites. Please?”

  Laurel did as she was asked while Lilly heated up Hassan’s meal. He passed his plate to Laurel before he ate any of it. “Here, take some of this, too.” Laurel swirled some of the pasta with her fork and put it on the plate with the chicken.

  “This is going to make me fat. Then who will want to go out with me?” she asked in despair. Hassan got that look in his eyes again.