“Sorry,” she says, grimacing. A firm confirmation that she did, in fact, read it. “I couldn’t help it.”
I smirk, plucking the card up and reading it.
I’m sorry. Can we start over?
There isn’t a signature, but I know immediately who sent them. My stomach plummets, thinking about what a mess he would’ve put us in had he signed it.
What the hell was he thinking?
Shelby looks at me expectantly, waiting to hear who sent them.
“My friend, Asher.” I shrug. “We had a bit of a falling out, and he said some things he shouldn’t have.”
I lie because I have to, but I feel bad instantly.
Shelby has been good to me, and here I am, blatantly lying to her face.
I despise keeping secrets and hate lying even more, but it can’t be helped.
This is one thing I’m not sharing with anyone.
“Well... looks like he has a massive thing for you,” she says, and my head snaps to her.
“What do you mean?”
She looks at me like I’m dense.
“Nobody buys an arrangement that size unless they’re in love.”
I pale at her words because this is anything but love. This is an act of buying my silence.
No. Love is definitely not a factor here. Guilt is more likely.
It’s also a ploy to ensure I’m not going anywhere because he knows he needs me.
Well, to hell with that.
I don’t want anything from him.
“Oh, boy, looks like the flowers aren’t cutting it. That guy must’ve really screwed up.”
I smash my lips together, knowing that isn’t the case.
“It was both of us,” I say, not wanting to tell one more lie.
This part, without mentioning who it is, I can share.
“We kissed when we shouldn’t have, and it ruined everything,” I explain.
She purses her lips, searching my face. Her eyes narrow in on me, and sweat builds at my temples. Does she know? Could she suspect? I’m about to say something when she shrugs and continues.
“Sounds like he has good intentions. Why are you still angry?”
I blow out a breath. “It was the wrong place to send me flowers. I don’t want to mix work and my personal life. He knows that and should’ve considered how embarrassed I’d be when receiving this.” I motion toward the offending flowers.
She chuckles. “If you don’t want them, I can put them in the foyer.”
“No.” The word snaps from my lips without a thought.