“Say hi to Hunter and Mia for me.”
“I will and thank you. For the flowers, and for checking out my vehicle.”
“That kiss was all the thanks I need, sugar,” he told me with a wink. I couldn’t help the smile that crept across my face.
Hunter came downstairs about ten minutes later, his hair still wet from his shower. Mia followed shortly after that and commented on the new flowers I’d gotten.
“King sent you more flowers?”
Hunter paused with a spoon of cereal halfway to his mouth and grinned, before telling her that King had delivered them himself.
“The doorbell woke me up, and then I heard him talking to Mom. He took her car to the MC’s garage to make sure it’s ready for the drive tomorrow.” Damn, the walls in this house were way too thin.
Mia tried and failed to hide her smile, and I scrambled for yet another excuse for why I was receiving a daily floral delivery.
“He wanted to thank me for having Sinner and Viking over for dinner,” I offered, then busied myself by pouring a glass of iced tea. I hoped they would drop the subject, but I should have known better.
“Uh-huh,” Mia said knowingly, and she and Hunter exchanged secretive grins, looking very pleased with themselves.
“The guy’s into you, Mom,” Hunter told me with a roll of his eyes, then stuffed another spoonful of cereal into his mouth.
“Yeah, Mom. He’s totally into you.” Neither of them seemed concerned or upset by that notion, and I willed myself not to blush. They both knew that I’d dated since the divorce, but I’d never introduced them to any of the men. I didn’t think it was fair to do that until the relationship was serious, and none of mine had gotten to that point.
I was saved from responding when Mia’s cell phone rang, and I made a quick escape to my office while she was squealing into the phone about the latest round of drama among her friends.
I forced myself to push Dante and my growing feelings for him to the side as I settled back in at my desk and focused on the work I needed to accomplish for the day. It wasn’t until I took a break for a late lunch two hours later that I realized there was a card included with the flowers.
I spotted the small envelope nestled in among the blooms and plucked it from the plastic holder. I grinned as I read the card, guessing that my dig about Bull had prompted it. “Larkspurs symbolize someone who’s fickle. Don’t be a larkspur, Ella. I’m the only handsome man you need to be asking about. Have a good day, sugar.” I felt the last of my walls crumble, and smiled when I realized that the idea of starting something with Dante made me almost breathless with anticipation. I was no longer wary about the idea. I was excited and eager to explore whatever this attraction was between us.
After a moment’s hesitation, I picked up my phone and sent a message to the man who had finally won me over.
Me: I’d hate to be accused of being fickle. The kids are spending the evening with their friends tonight. Any chance you’re free for dinner?
My phone rang just seconds later, and the sound of Dante’s voice made my pulse race when I answered the phone.
“There’s nothing I’d like better, sugar. What time can I pick you up?”
“I can be ready by six, but…how about you come here, and we’ll order take-out. That way we can talk a little more,” I suggested hesitantly.
“Is this a good talk?” Dante asked with a hint of suspicion in his voice.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at him as I replied, “Yes, I just thought we could get to know each other a little bit more.”
“Now that sounds like a perfect idea.” I heard voices in the background, and a man calling for him. He put his hand over his phone, and I heard his muffled voice tell the man that he would be right there. “Sorry, Irish needs me for something. I’ll be there at six. Can’t wait, sugar.”
We ended the call a moment later, and I spent the next few minutes trying to calm down. I had a date with Dante, and I was equal parts excited and scared to death.
I ended up shutting down my work laptop early, unable to concentrate as the afternoon wore on. Linc dropped my SUV back off a little after three, assuring me that they had topped off the fluids, but otherwise my vehicle was in tip-top shape for the drive tomorrow. Once he’d left, I snuck in a yoga workout to try to relax myself, then took a long shower and got ready to face Dante.
I took extra care with my appearance, finally deciding on my favorite pair of jeans that made my butt look good, and a pretty, flowy lavender top that dipped down just enough to showcase my cleavage nicely without looking slutty. I hada momentary flashback to the sight of Star with her bits and baubles hanging out on display. Then I took a deep breath and pushed her out of my mind. It helped when I reminded myself that it that’s what Dante wanted, he wouldn’t have worked so hard to pursue me.
Mia and Hunter left around five-thirty. They were both going to the movies with friends - different movies, but at the same multi-plex theater. I didn’t mention that Dante was coming over, and they didn’t seem to notice that I seemed nervous as they headed out the door with a promise to be home by eleven.
Dante showed up a few minutes before six, and I had to calm my heart rate as I heard the roar of his bike pulling into the driveway. I nervously straightened the throw pillow propped up in the corner of the couch before taking a deep breath and opening the door to greet him. He was holding a vase with a dozen white roses and looked me over from head to toe with an appreciative smile that made my toes curl.
“You look beautiful, sugar,” he said as he handed me the large vase. “Dorothy, the florist, tells me that white roses can symbolize new beginnings and hope for the future.”
I looked at the perfect blooms, with the petals just starting to unfurl. There were leaves and bits of greenery tucked in around the roses, making the stark white flowers stand out even more.
