Which code word did Darcy text to her friend? Flash fiction romance - Red Tulip on #Friday Snippets

From my quirky little flash fiction romance - Red Tulip

Scene set: Darcy and Shamus are on their first dinner date. He just gave her a red balloon.



"To mark the start of our courtship." He lowered his head for a moment. "If you'd care to pursue one?""Let's call me intrigued at the moment, and see where this takes us."Off in the distance, a discreet cough resonated. "Dinner is served."Shamus smiled and held out his hand towards the door. "Shall we?"Glancing down at my work clothes, I cringed. "I'm not really dressed for eating in a place like this. I'm more the takeout food type."Shamus raised one eyebrow. "Then I guess I have a surprise for you."With my fingers clenching my balloon string, I followed Shamus down a hall away from the front entrance. He entered what I guessed would be called a breakfast room. It was round, and the exterior was a wall of glass. Lush tropical plants filled the room. In the center, an oval, glass dining table was covered with a red tablecloth and brown dishes with chopsticks resting on small platforms. The lights were low as darkness was settling on the city and a waft of humid heat brushed past my cheek.Shamus pulled out a chair and tucked it under me as I sat. He suggested tying the balloon to the table leg, which I did as he settled into the seat across from me.The butler brought in a large brown bag, placed it in front of Shamus, and spoke to him in a low tone. Shamus nodded. "Yes, Hogkins. Enjoy your evening. No, I'll look after our drinks. Thank you."The butler bowed his head to both of us and exited as stealthily as he entered.Shamus opened the bag and reached in. "Hope you like Pad Thai. I've had such a hunger for it of late."My tummy rumbled in delight. "I love Thai food. Is there peanut sauce?"He held a small container. "Lots. I drown my Pad Thai with it.""I know what you mean.""Here." He pushed the container and the bag closer. "Why don't you put out the food and I'll get us drinks. Red wine? Diet Coke?"I glanced at the table and had a brief mental debate. "Diet Coke. For this evening."He tossed back his head and laughed. "Good idea. Keep clear headed. Oh, and don't forget to send another text. Don't want your friend calling the police."The heat of the blush burned my cheeks. "Well, I…it was only…well, because—"Shamus held up his hand to stop my stammering. "It's a brilliant idea. You don't know me and need to take safety precautions. I am not insulted. Two Diet Cokes, back in a moment."After digging my cell out of my purse, I keyed in the one word check-in, blanket, and stuffed my phone away. Had I used chill, my friend, Eliza, would have called the police. Tender was the signal for her to call me and say there was an emergency and I had to go. I imagined the smile on her face when she read blanket. She'd be happy I was having a good time. She was my closest friend, and she worried about me.






Blurb - Darcy O'Calahann, a junior gardener from a small mid-western town, is trying to make her way in the big city.Shamus McTavis is a wealthy bachelor with a mysterious family past.Are Darcy's eyes playing tricks on her? Is she losing her mind? Or is there really a Red Tulip tying her and Shamus together?
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