“What's strange?” Monique asked.
I started the engine.
“Nothing,” I muttered.
Or maybe it wasn't nothing. Maybe I was imagining things. Then again, maybe I wasn't. But there was something about this floral shop that deserved my attention.
“So,” Monique said as she buckled her seatbelt. “What do you think of the florist?”
I stared at the shop for another second before putting the vehicle into drive.
“I don't know,” I admitted.
I didn't know what to think about Blossom. Didn't know why she seemed so nervous around me. Or why her associate had glared at me like I’d broken one of their luxury vases. I didn't know why parts of her reminded me of Juliet, while other parts felt completely off.
What I did know was that Blossom had piqued my curiosity. I needed to know more about her. I needed to confirm my lingering suspicions or fully expel them. Either way, I wasn't letting this go until I found out if Blossom from Blossoms and Vines was my Juliet With Curves.
CHAPTER TWENTY
BLOSSOM
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Rome Cattaneo had just been in my store.THERome Cattaneo.TheRome Cattaneo with the deep, swoon-worthy voice. The one whose dick I'd seen countless times through our private video chats.
And a big dick it was, I might add.
The Rome Cattaneo I'd touched myself in front of while he’d jacked off as he watched me, instructing me on how to pleasure myself. The Rome who wouldn’t quit mentioning how he couldn’t wait to meet me face to face.
The Rome I couldn't stop thinking about, and had even said I wanted to give him a massage. The Rome Cattaneo who’d stayed up with me last night watching an anime and discussing the episodes.
The Rome my heart had given itself to, despite my brain’s warning.THATRome, the Rome I was supposed to be avoiding, had just been standing a few feet away from me, breathing the same air I was.
He’d stared at me with those dark eyes and made me feel tingly all over. If only I’d noticed him sooner, maybe I could’ve reacted better. But I had a habit of only focusing on the brides when they came to my shop.
There had been too many occasions where brides, in bride mode, got upset if they thought their florist was talking to their fiancétoo much. Or, if they caught their fiancé staring at the florist with interest, they blamed her, not the man.
To avoid that, I focused only on the bride. That’s why I hadn’t been prepared when I’d looked up into the dark eyes of the man who made my heart race and my pussy wet.
“Pinch me,” I told Ivy. “Ow!”Damn!Rubbing my arm, I glared at her. “You didn't have to do it that hard.”
“I wanted to see if we were dreaming too!” Ivy mumbled, still staring out the door.
I followed her gaze to make sure Rome had actually left. His vehicle was gone.Good. I still couldn’t believe he’d been in my store. I stared down at my hands that were trembling slightly. This encounter had me all shook up.
I couldn’t handle any more customers right now. Not when my emotions were all over the place. I flipped the sign to CLOSED and locked the front door. Then I turned toward Ivy, who seemed just as shocked as I was.
“Ivy, follow me into the back room.”
Nodding, she turned and headed toward the break room. My heart was still racing like it was trying to beat out of my chest and follow Rome home. I couldn't believe I'd just been face-to-face with the man of my dreams and my nightmares.
“You're not moving,” Ivy called out.
I blinked and met her gaze. She was halfway to the breakroom. And I... well... I was still standing by the front door. I looked down at my feet. They were still planted in place. My gaze rose to hers.
“My legs won't move,” I whispered.
Shaking her head, Ivy started my way.
