Free Time's Forbidden Flower by Diane Rinella Page A

from twelve-thirty to two, which annihilates almost our entire slot. Can I make it up to you?”
    My gut sags at the news. It may just be the cancelation of lunch, but I feel as if I’m a rotten fish being gutted. “Of course you can,” I force with a brave voice. “Tomorrow is wide open.”
    “Unfortunately it’s not for me,” Donovan laments. “Neither is the day after, but Friday works.”
    It feels like forever since I saw him at dinner on Sunday night, but the least I can do is not add to his guilt. “Friday is fine. In fact, it’s actually a little better. Same plan?”
    “Yeah. Thanks, Lily. I’ll see you then.”
    “Bye, Donovan.” My face droops as I say it.
    “Bye,” he says, and then pauses. “Oh, hey, wait.” A beat of silence passes. “I’m really sorry.”
    I lightly snicker. “It’s fine, Donovan.”
    “Yeah, but—it’s going to be a long three days. I’ll see you later.”
    His image on the phone’s screen fades as the call ends. It’s not going to be another three days. We’ve already been absent from each other’s lives too long. Missing people sucks.

    Clutching a large, brown paper bag, I abruptly halt just shy of grabbing the knob to Donovan’s office. My heart shouldn’t be revving right now. If all I am doing is bringing lunch to a friend, why do I feel so much anticipation? My head drives me in conflicting directions between departure and staying in hopes of learning how to live with this situation. After ditching my glow of infatuation, I place my hand on the doorknob, hoping Donovan hasn’t already taken off to grab a sandwich. To my delight, the knob turns. Again my heart revs.
    As I breeze into the vacant lobby, Donovan’s muted voice emanates from his office. Not knowing if it is safe to interrupt, I take a seat that is nestled near the corner on one side of his door. My knee bounces and my lungs exhale deeply as I fight the urge to check my makeup, reminding myself this is my friend and there is nothing to get worked up over. Finally a hand touches his doorknob, the jingle rattling my anxiety. Donovan pushes the door open to let the visitor out.
    “Love you, too,” he says. My heart sags. “Thanks for lunch.”
    Anna emerges, and suddenly I feel like a nine-year-old fool who has a crush on the most popular boy in the senior class and stupidly brought him cookies in hopes of getting his attention. I start to scamper under the reception desk but realize the futility as soon as my feet take flight. Instead I act as if the situation is perfectly normal. It is, right?
    Anna heads for the door, barely noticing me. However, I caught Donovan’s attention the second he stepped out, stopping him dead in his tracks. His eyes shoot to Anna.
    “Oh, hi, Lily,” is what Anna says through her feathery voice, but my guilt hears it as a crass, “What the hell are you doing here?”
    “Hi, Anna. I heard Donovan was stuck working, so I thought I’d surprise him with lunch.” My hands point to the bag, proving my words.
    “That’s really sweet,” she says, gently smiling. Her body dips as her fingers ripple out a little wave to Donovan. “Bye.” She repeats the cute gesture, her tall figure peering down at me, yet her eyes not meeting mine. “Bye, Lily.”
    I wave back, but her eyes are focused on the door. My hand goes down as I surrender to being ignored, and it accidentally brushes against her. She flinches at my touch, and I feel like I’m scum. “Sorry,” I utter.
    Donovan follows and shuts the door behind her. Spinning back, he looks to the corner of his eye as color blooms in his cheeks. His focus wavers between the door and me. “I—I’m sorry,” he utters, scratching his head before looking to his hand then dropping it as if he doesn’t know what it’s for. “I had no idea you were coming.” He gives up and sticks his hand in his pocket. “Anna called right after we talked and was afraid I wouldn’t have time to pick up anything so she,