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“You don’t have to answer if you’re not comfortable,” he says, without answering my question.

Very lawyerly of him.

“If you’re wondering if I won’t do as good a job on them or something, that is not the case. I do my absolute best on every order.”

He takes another step, and this time, I can’t help it. I step back and hit the wall. Tension rolls off him, making it hard to draw a breath.

“That’s not why I’m asking,” Alden says and then holds my stare. “I just need to know.”

I sigh and look away from him before shaking my head.

“No. No, I didn’t. We hadn’t been dating long, and as you know…”

I lower my voice so Sam and Kai in the back don’t hear me. They are probably pressed right up against the wall listening.

“There are…were issues. I was done after what he did at your party even if he hadn’t…well…passed away. He kind of did me a favor by falling.”

Shit, I really just said that.

“I don’t mean that I’m happy, just that I no longer have to worry about having the breakup discussion again with him sober. That didn’t come out any better, and now I sound like an insensitive jerk. I’m sorry.”

Alden’s lip twitches ever so slightly, and I have no idea what that means.

He takes a deep breath, and the tension eases. Alden turns around and walks out from behind the counter, pointing to one of the largest self-standing display pieces I have set up.

“I’ll take four dozen of this style, white roses and calla lilies, with black and gold ribbons. Spare no expense. I want them to look stunning.” He pulls out his wallet and lays a platinum card down on the counter for me. “Add in delivery to my mother’s estate. The funeral will be held there.” His eyes find mine. “Once you’ve figured out how much it costs, you can bring me my card back.”

Before I can say another word, he walks out.

Kai and Sam comically poke their heads out from the back and look at me with identical, holy fuck expressions.

I reach for the card like it’s a precious gem.

“Holy shit…we could feel the sexual tension all the way back here. You two are…seismic,” Sam says.

I shoot her a glare, but I know exactly what she means. I need a fan and a tub of ice water.

“Seismic? He’s Rob’s older brother. He came in to order flowers for his brother’s funeral. Nothing seismic about that.”

“First of all, Rob’s dead, and honestly, we didn’t really like the guy, so good riddance,” Kai answers.

“Don’t speak ill of the dead. It brings bad luck, and it’s in poor taste to sleep with his brother.”

“I’m telling you all your suspicions about Rob cheating are accurate, so why let the fact that Alden is his brother stop you? Honestly, it serves Rob right for treating you badly. I hope that the guy is roasting his cheating ass in hell and watching with envy as you fuck his brother’s brains out,” Sam adds.

“And someone who doesn’t want to see you again won’t leave their platinum credit card and say, ‘Bring it to me when you’re done,’” Kai mocks in a male voice.

“Both of you are terrible influences. Don’t you have work to do or something?”

They leave, still laughing at my expense, but I don’t move. I stare at the credit card while my heart runs laps in my chest. Well, he either really trusts me, or this is a strange test. Three months ago, Alden didn’t even know my name, and now…things are looking up.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ALDEN

The moment that Emily runs the card, the charge shows up on my phone. This time it is for market value.

Good girl.