Page 176 of The Silver Fox Brother

Maya brings them to my office with a concerned look.

"These just came for you."

I stare at the roses.

"Throw them away."

"Winter—"

"Please, Maya. Just throw them away."

She takes them without another word.

By the end of the day, three more bouquets have arrived. I have Maya intercept them all.

On Friday, there are five.

On Saturday, I'm at home when the doorbell rings. I open it to find a delivery man holding an enormous arrangement of peonies.

"Winter Hayes?"

"Yes."

"These are for you."

I take the flowers and close the door. There are two notes. One is handwritten from Maya:

Winter,

These were sent to the office, so I had them re-routed to you at home.

- Maya

The second card says the same thing as the previous cards the day before:

"I'm sorry. Please talk to me."

-R

I set them on my kitchen counter and stare at them.

My phone rings.Kate.

"Hey," I answer.

"Are you okay?" she asks immediately.

"You've been quiet this week."

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine. What's going on?"

I sink onto my couch.

"Rowan won't stop. Flowers every day. Calls from different numbers. Texts."

"You need to tell him to leave you alone. Figure something out. Block every number he uses. Make it clear you're serious."