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“Goodnight, Chloe,” he whispered, brushing a soft kiss over her lips.
“Goodnight,” she mumbled, already drifting off to sleep in the safety of his arms. The last thing she was aware of was Hendrix pulling her closer, his steady heartbeat lulling her into a peaceful slumber.
8
The scent of lilies and orchids wafted through Chloe’s flower shop as she arranged a bouquet of sunflowers. Her fingers nimbly twisted stems and tucked leaves, bringing the arrangement to life.
As the door chimed open, Chloe looked up with a smile, ready to greet a customer. Her face fell when Victoria strode through the doorway, an unpleasant smirk curling her lips.
“Well, don’t you look cheerful,” Victoria said in a mocking tone. She glanced around the shop, her gaze sharp and assessing. “Business seems slow today. I suppose that’s not surprising, considering those nasty rumors going around.”
Chloe’s hands curled into fists, crushing the leaves in her grasp. “What are you talking about?”
“Haven’t you heard?” Victoria examined her nails casually. “People are saying your flowers are infested with aphids and that half of your stock is diseased. It’s no wonder customers are taking their business elsewhere.”
Chloe sucked in a sharp breath, her chest tightening. Those were vicious lies, and Victoria knew it. She wanted nothing more than to slap the smug look off Victoria’s face.
With effort, Chloe gentled her grip on the sunflowers and took a deep, steadying breath. Losing her temper would only give Victoria more ammunition.
“Get out of my shop,” she said coldly. “Now. Before I call the police.”
Victoria’s smile widened. “See you around...or rather, maybe not. If those rumors spread, you might not have a shop for much longer.”
Chloe watched in stony silence as Victoria left, the door chiming shut behind her. Her hands were shaking, anger and fear twisting in her gut. Victoria’s underhanded tactics were working, and Chloe didn’t know how to stop them. She was in real danger of losing everything she’d worked so hard to build. The thought made her feel sick inside, and she wondered how she would survive this.
When the door chimed again, she thought it was her coming back, but it was Emily, Hendrix’s ex-girlfriend. Chloe’s heart clenched at the sight of the tall, willowy blonde.
Emily paused in the doorway, her gaze scanning the shop before landing on Chloe. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, followed by a coy smile. “Well, hello there. It’s been a long time.”
Chloe gritted her teeth. “What are you doing here, Emily?”
“I’m in town for a few days and thought I’d stop in to say hello.” Emily drifted closer, trailing a hand along the edge of the counter. “Though I have to admit, I didn’t expect to find you and Hendrix together. How long has that been going on?”
There was a mocking lilt to Emily’s voice that set Chloe’s teeth on edge. She and Hendrix had only just started exploring a romantic relationship, and it was still new and uncertain. Emily’s presence was unwelcome and threatening, dredging up old insecurities.
Chloe lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “That’s none of your business. Now, if there’s nothing I can help you with, please leave.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed. “My, my. Aren’t we terse? I was only curious, seeing as Hendrix and I have history. But I can see this is a sensitive topic for you.” Her gaze drifted down to Chloe’s hands, taking in the lilies. “Pretty flowers. Though they seem rather...wilted. I’d heard there were problems with the quality here. It’s a shame, really.”
Chloe’s fingers tightened around the lilies as fury rose inside her, hot and sharp. Emily knew about the rumors too and was clearly reveling in them.
She slammed the lilies onto the counter, petals scattering. “Get out! Now!”
Emily’s laughter followed her out the door, echoing in Chloe’s mind. She closed her eyes, fighting back angry tears. Victoria and Emily were working together to destroy her, and she didn’t know how to defeat them.
Chloe jumped when arms wrapped around her from behind. She relaxed into the familiar embrace, breathing in Hendrix’s scent.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured against her hair. “Emily had no right to come here and harass you like that.”
She turned in his arms, blinking back tears. “How did she even know about us? About the problems I’ve been having?”
Hendrix sighed. “Emily has always had a way of finding out things she shouldn’t. I’m afraid she’s rather vindictive when she doesn’t get her way.” His expression darkened. “We almost got married, remember, until you helped me realize she wasn’t the right woman for me.”
Hendrix cupped her face, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “You have nothing to fear from Emily. My past with her is over and done. You’re the one I want to build a future with.”
Warmth unfurled in her chest, easing the ache left by Emily’s cruelty. She smiled up at him, heart full. “I want that too.”
His answering smile lit up his eyes. “Good. Because you’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Hendrix bent his head, kissing her with a slow, simmering passion that stole her breath away.
