Eva:Any updates from the detective?
Kain:Not yet. Wanna meet up to talk?
Eva:About the case?
Kain:Yeah.
Eva:Okay.
Kain:I’m out of town on business. Will reach out when I get back.
Eva:Sounds good.
Eva:Sorry about last time.
Kain:Huh?
Eva:My grandpa was being overprotective.
Kain:Ah, no worries.
Relief settled in me.
Eva:See you soon.
Kain:
Butterflies tickled in my chest, brightening my mood.
When I walked back out to the kitchen, Grandpa asked, “What’s that smile on your face about, hmm?”
I didn’t even realize I was smiling.
“Just happy to enjoy dinner with you,” I said, anticipating when I’d get to see Kain.
Chapter Ten
Kain
I stared at the emoji I had sent Eva, wondering what the hell had gotten into me. Since when did I text a smiley emoji? What would be next? A heart emoji? I shivered at the thought. Those silly things were . . . too sappy . . . toocutesyfor me.
This woman could lure things out of me I didn’t know I was capable of. A part of me rejoiced at the change. Did I want her to keep coaxing new things out of me?
“Kain?”
I looked up at Malcolm Burton, the man partnering with me to promote my new tattoo parlor. His company produced tattoo equipment and products that Body Canvas used.
“Yes?”
“You were saying you wanted to change something with the marketing campaign. Then you stopped.” He gestured to the phone in my hand.
Oh.When I saw the text from Eva, I dropped everything to reply. This insanity had to stop if I wanted my business to succeed.
Chapter Eleven
Eva
The following three weeks flew by as I filled in for Morgan, who took time off to deal with her messy divorce. The stress had made her sick, and I wanted to do everything I could to assist her. As the manager of Happy Flowers, I had to make sure everything flowed effortlessly.
