"It’s just lovely," Lindsay gushed as she took the violet plant from Justin.

"I saw it and I thought of you," he replied.

"What a sweetheart," Melanie chimed in. "Unlike some other people we know," she added tersely, glancing over his shoulder where Brian waited in the car. "I don’t know why you put up with--"

"I’m glad you stopped by," Lindsay cut in. "You still haven’t told us what you want to do for your birthday. I know you were hoping Brian would plan something, but I don’t think there’s much of a chance now since it’s tomorrow."

"Actually, he has an important business meeting in Chicago tomorrow," Justin told them.

"That asshole," Melanie huffed. "Everything is always about him. He’s never gonna change."

"I’m sorry," Lindsay added, trying to temper her partner’s venom. "But we’ll still do anything you want."

A big grin spread across Justin’s face. "I know. That’s really why I brought the plant to you. To ask you to take care of it while we’re gone. Brian gave it to me for my birthday so I don’t want anything to happen to it and it would just be the best birthday present ever if every time you look at it you remember you don’t know shit about Brian or our relationship." The blonde ignored their gaping mouths and looked at his watch. "Oh, gotta go. See you when we get back."

"You’re going too?" Melanie finally managed to squeak.

"Well, yeah," the man retorted, not bothering to hide his irritation any longer. "He didn’t want to miss my birthday so he arranged a few vacation days once the deal is signed. I’ve never been to Chicago so he’s planned an entire weekend just for me."

"Justin, I don’t know what to say. We sh--" Lindsay started, but stopped when the man glared at her. They deserved his anger and nothing she said was going to change that. "Why violets?" she asked instead, intrigued by Brian’s choice.

"Because roses are red," he shot back cryptically as he jumped off the porch and dashed to the car. He gave a little wave to the two stunned women still frozen in the doorway as Brian pulled away.

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