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Chapter Thirteen
Fredrick
My phone chimes.
Rolling over, I fumble in the dark, finding the device by the screen’s blindingly bright glow. I blink and squint at the message onscreen.
It's from Emma—no, she goes by Riley now—her message sending my heart to my toes.
Well? it reads, a simple question loaded with the weight of a decision I've yet to make.
Do I want to let her buy into the club? My club?
My thumb hovers, then presses down hard, erasing her words, her number, everything. Gone.
I'm sure she'll reach out again, but for now she’s not my problem. Putting my phone back on the nightstand, I roll over toward Lila, wrapping my arm around her ribs and cuddling in close. She shifts, a soft sigh escaping her as she wiggles, nestling into me.
Her black hair sprawls out on the pillow, a stark contrast to the baby-blue sheets, and her taste and scent cling in my mouth and nose.
Guilt is an unwelcome guest in my mind and heart. The emotion sits heavy, a constant reminder of what I had done and was doing to her. I knew she’d never have said yes without me dangling a carrot in front of her. I had to make an offer too good for her to refuse to get her to agree.
Not that I can blame her.
I had already sent off a message green-lighting the deal. Tomorrow, her life was going to look a lot different. But there was one more thing. I didn't think she'd realized that now, even though Alex's medical bills would be paid, Grace’s loomed ahead. She'd made progress, but she’d lost more ground.
As I lie in bed beside her, stroking her soft skin with the pad of my thumb, I try to debate my next options. Because I’m going to have to make a choice I won’t like. I want her to know that it’s going to be okay. But why would she believe me, especially now?
I’m part of the problems in her life, and that might be all I’ll ever be to her - another burden to shoulder.
“You’re going to be okay,” I whisper.
She doesn’t respond, locked in dreams or the darkness of sleep. But I don’t mind. I hold her close, inhaling her scent and trying not to remember the hurt I’d caused her.
I sit in my car thinking about the drive to her work today and how quiet we'd been. She hadn't said a single word to me other than thanking me for bringing her in.
I've been sitting here for about a half hour now. With a deep breath, I get out of my car and lock it behind me as I make my way to the front door of the flower shop. I can see heads turning as people recognize me and see them lean closer together, as if whispering secrets.
I don't give a damn what other people think.
The bell above the flower shop door jingles as I step inside, the scent of flowers flooding my senses. Despite the heat of the day, it feels much cooler inside than out, and I catch sight of Lila behind the counter, the phone to her ear.
“Can you... Yes, two dozen red carnations.” She scribbles on a notepad, a smile on her lips... until she glances up and sees me. Then her joy fades, leaving me hating myself a little more. But I make my way to the counter, undaunted, and roll up my sleeves.
“How can I help?” I ask, my voice eager, maybe too eager, but I need to be here for her.
“Look for Emma,” she says after hanging up, her light-blue eyes scanning the street through the front window where people seem to have taken notice of the unusual activity around the flower shop.
“Sure,” I lie, the word smooth and believable. But I know the truth; Emma's not lost. I know right where she is. Not yet, I tell myself. Now is not the time to share. I need to make a decision first, though I think I know where my loyalty falls.
The shop hums with energy, orders pouring in like spring rains. Lila dances between vases and plants, May always in the right place at the right time as they work. There’s a new skip in May’s step, and I catch her smiling at me every once in a while. That smile makes me uneasy. What has Lila told her?
Obviously, not the truth.
Lila clips, arranges, and smiles with genuine warmth at every customer, despite the shadows darkening her eyes.
“Looks like they really came through,” I say, trying to keep my tone light.
