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Rosamund Crawley was staying with her brother and sister-in-law because her house was getting renovated and she couldn’t stay. She wouldn’t of minded, her brother had a spare room however it was early February, meaning it was both Valentine’s Day and her housemates’ wedding anniversary, therefore, she got no peace.
On the morning of February 14th Rosamund walked downstairs in a sour mood pouring herself a coffee.
“Good morning Ros!” Cora smiled happily and sat at the kitchen island sipping tea as Robert made pancakes.
“Hi.”
“Did you sleep well?” Robert asked playing up all his pancakes.
Rosamund took a long sip of coffee staring at him with slight circles under her eyes. “Remind me to pick up earplugs.” Cora blushed covering her mouth.
“Oh, yes will do.” Robert didn’t understand her meaning or why Cora was blushing. “Do you want some pancakes?”
“No thanks, I’ll stop off at the bakery on the way to work, not all of us take the week off.”
“Oh, you just want to see the cute baker.”
“No! It’s not that, I just like the… bread.” She felt her cheeks warm.
Cora and Robert smirked and shared a look, “if you say so, Ros, pick up a loaf will you?”
“Sure.” Rosamund pushed herself off the counter and placed her cup in the dishwasher before getting dressed and ready.
Today she wore her hair in a ponytail and curled the ends, a black pantsuit with an open-collar white shirt and heels making herself taller than usual. She grabbed her phone and back and put her AirPods in connecting them to her phone. She walked out shouting goodbye to the happy couple who didn’t notice her.
Rosamund got in the car and drove to the baker's parking. She hated to admit it but her brother was right. She was here to see the cute baker. She worked right next to a, much cheaper, supermarket, however, they went to the bakers one day as a favour to a friend and there was the cutest girl she has ever seen.
Rosamund had been out since she was fourteen and has always been confident flirting with other girls but she could never ask someone out; she was never able to ask the important question.
Rosamund walked in and stood behind an old lady who took a while and didn’t know what she wanted. The baker was patient and sweet and always smiling and it made Rosamund’s heart melt.
A few minutes later the old lady left and Rosamund walked up to the counter.
“Hello, what can I get you- oh Miss Crawley! How are you?”
“I’m good thank you Miss Mellark, yourself?”
“Wonderful thank you, the usual?”
“You know me too well,” Rosamund laughed. “Any Valentine’s Day gifts?”
“Oh God no, single as can be.”
“I don’t understand how you of all people are single. I mean you are gorgeous.” Rosamund’s eyes widened, not meaning to say that.
“I have standards.” She winked and Rosamund laughed. She passed the bag of pain au chocolat over.
Rosamund passed over the exact amount of money and Miss Mellark took it and gave half back with a receipt. “A Valentine’s gift.”
“Oh thank you, my dear, I will have to repay you.” Rosamund smiled.
“My dear?”
“Oh sorry I won’t-“
“I liked it.”
“Good.”
~~~
Rosamund was sitting in her office completing papers and bills when her best friend, Marmaduke, walked in. She and Marmaduke have been friends since secondary school much to Rosamund’s mother's dismay. Rosamund came out to him first only for Marmaduke to admit he thinks he is gay which led to their friendship becoming stronger.
“Ros bad news.” He sauntered in and sat down.
“Spill it.”
“I can’t make drinks tonight.”
“But we’re gonna confuse straight people!”
“Sorry but I have a date!”
“Oh no-“
“It won’t be like the last one!”
“You say that every time.”
Marmaduke rolled his eyes. “Why don’t you ask the baker out.”
“Cause she’s hot and I can’t talk to hot girls.”
Marmaduke stood up. “Is that why you called me stressed in Pandora trying to buy her a necklace? Did you give it to her this morning?” He points at the bag in her bin.
Rosamund pulls the carefully wrapped box from her bag and shows him.
“I’m so shocked.” He replied blankly.
“I’ll go at lunch.”
“You better or I’ll show her your yearbook picture.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
~~~
As soon as it was Rosamund’s lunch she drove to the florists and purchased a bunch of red tulips before driving to the bakers. Rosamund turned the engine off and sat for a moment then got out of the car. “You’ve got this, it will be okay. It’ll be fine-“ she repeated to herself then peered into the window.
It was empty and Miss Mellark was cleaning the countertops while singing along to the music. Rosamund walked in and the bell chimed.
“Back so soon Miss Crawley?” She put the cleaner down and leaned against the front desk. “What can I do for you?”
Rosamund was hiding her things behind her back. “I am actually here to do something for you.”
“Oh, I am intrigued! Do go on.” She smiled.
Rosamund was about as red as the tulips. “I got you something.” She presented the flowers and Miss Mellark’s face brightened, causing Rosamund to smile.
“Oh, Miss Crawley! These are beautiful thank you! How did you know they are my favourite?”
“They are your favourite?” Rosamund's smile grew at her happiness.
“Yes! Oh, thank you!” She took her glass of water and put the flowers in, placing them carefully on the edge of the desk. She turned back to Rosamund. “Thank you again I love them!”
As a reply, Rosamund stuck out her arm holding the box. “And then I got you this.”
“You really didn’t have to do this, it’s too much!”
“I wanted to.” Rosamund smiled more and Miss Mellark blushed and carefully unwrapped it, slowly. Too slowly if you ask Rosamund who was getting impatient wanting to know if she liked it.
She eventually opened it and examined it, gasping. It was a silver chain with a silver bow and arrow hanging on with a diamond in the shape of a heart at the tip of the arrow. Miss Mellark stared with her mouth hanging open.
“If you don’t like it it’s fine you don’t have to wear it but I know you do archery and I've seen it and thought of you but you don’t have to wear-“
“Holy crap- I love it!” She grinned at Rosamund carefully taking it out. “I could kiss you- holy crap.”
Rosamund blushed, not being able to look her in the eyes. “Want me to put it on you…?”
“If you don’t mind.” Rosamund took the necklace from her hands and stood behind her putting it around her neck as Miss Mellark moved her braids out her way. Rosamund tied the clasp, fingers grazing her neck as she stepped away but Miss Mellark turned around and stepped closer. “Thank you.”
Rosamund forgot to breathe.
“I can’t say I have anything to give you back.”
“That kiss you offered?”
Miss Mellark smiled and went up on her toes carefully kissing her. Rosamund Immediately kissed her back, hands resting on her hips as Miss Mallark wrapped her arms around her neck.
They pulled apart slightly breathlessly and smiled at each other. “Happy Valentine’s Day Miss Mellark.”
“Delilah.”
“Rosamund.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day Delilah.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day Roamaund.” They kissed again.
“What time do you finish?”
“We finish early today, so four, as it’s Valentine’s Day, what about you?”
“I own the place, can finish when I like.” She laughed.
“Can I take you out for dinner? I’ll pick you up at five.”
“I’d love that.” She smiled and kissed her cheek pulling back. “See you then, love.”
The two smile and Rosamund leaves and all but squeals in happiness, finishing her keys out of her pocket only to realise there was a note.
It had a number.
You forgot to ask <3
Rosamund laughed already in love.