An hour later, I stand and gaze into the windows at the front of Wild Lilac. Athena is inside talking to two women.
She’s smiling in that way that melts every heart within a thousand miles. I’ve seen it when we’ve been out for dinner or during her classes.
She puts everyone at ease. Her voice is soothing and calm. It’s impossible not to fall in love with her, and I swear to God, that’s what is happening to me.
I should go in and sweep her off her feet.
I doubt like hell that anyone inside the store would mind if I gathered her in my arms and kissed her senseless.
I want to.
She made my night last night. She’s made my year. Hell, she’s making me imagine a life where I can be happy every day. A life where the past doesn’t matter and the future is brighter than I ever imagined it could be.
My phone’s alarm sounds in the pocket of my jeans.
I don’t need to check it.
I fucking know what it is.
I tear myself away from the beautiful vision in front of me and take off down the sidewalk.
Chapter 32
Athena
I skipped through my weekend with a smile on my face. No one knew what that was about. When I went to Jeremy and Linny’s brownstone for dinner last night, they both shot me looks. Neither of them asked why I was happy. They assumed it was because business has picked up at the store.
It has.
I arrived to work early on this Monday morning because I had a flood of online orders come in yesterday. Leanna is on her way in so we can tackle them together before Al shows up to handle the deliveries.
My life is falling into place in a way I never dreamed it could.
My business is picking up, and I’m seeing an incredible man.
I slept with that man on Friday, and my body is still thrumming from that experience.
Who the hell knew that sex could be that good?
I look up when I hear the bell ring over the shop door. Expecting Leanna, I wave a hand when I see my older brother walking toward me.
“Jeremy?” I push to stand. “What are you doing here?”
Holding out his arms, he motions for me to embrace him. I do.
I’ve always found comfort in my oldest brother’s arms. He was the anchor that held me steady when my mom and his dad were sent to prison for stealing from the clients of the investment firm they ran together.
Jeremy took my brothers and me in and made sure we knew that his home was our home.
We fought through our mutual pain to build a strong sibling bond even though we’re not related by blood.
I take a step back after we hug. “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?”
He looks around. “I’m here to buy my wife flowers.”
I know him better than that. When he wants flowers for Linny, he texts me and then insists I meet him somewhere for lunch with the bouquet in hand. Ever since I moved out, he’s been worried that I don’t eat enough.
I play along because when he’s ready to tell me why he’s really here, he will.