Page 133 of Love Unspoken

"Yep."

Jax picked up the card that came with the flowers and read it out aloud.

"Amara, yellow roses are for friendship, for new beginnings, and for the promise that no matter what happens, I'll always treasure the bond we have. Lucas. P.S. Please unblock my number." He laughed softly. "Man, he's wooing you."

I snatched the card away from him and tucked it away into a drawer. I kept all of them, unable to throw them away. They were a part of Lucas, and like a lovesick simpering idiot, I even re-read the damn handwritten notes.

"He's driving me crazy. Isn't he still dating Kath?" I muttered and bent to check on the duck breasts slow-roasting in the oven.

"Technically, they're not dating. There has been no formal announcement. They have not been seen around town except for some social events."

I snorted. "Really? You think they're not sleeping together?"

"Yep."

I frowned. "I thought you were not Team Lucas."

"I'm not. The way he treated you was cruel and stupid. If I lost someone like you I'd be sending flowers too, along with jewelry if I thought it would work."

I frowned. "Jewelry is not going to work on me."

The doorbell rang, and Jax raised a hand, telling me he'd get it.

I had finally decided to invite people for dinner. Basil was visiting for the weekend, so it was the right time to throw a party. Since Emily and I had become friendly, she and Ace were coming along as well.

Gemma walked in, sniffing the air. "What smells divine?"

"Duck a l'orange," I announced and gave her a quick hug.

"You look…wow! What's going on?" Gemma demanded.

I quirked an eyebrow and then nodded. "I had a haircut."

"That's not it.

I gave Gemma a wry smile. "Maybe it's the wine." I raised my glass of a nice Bordeaux that Jax brought.

Gemma tilted her head, studying me with those sharp eyes of hers that never missed a thing. "Hmm, maybe. But it's more than that. You're glowing, girl. What gives?"

I opened my mouth to brush her off with some light comment, but the words caught in my throat. Was I glowing? I didn't feel it. If anything, I felt like I was teetering on the edge of chaos, thanks to Lucas's relentless attempts to…what? Win me back? Or just confuse the hell out of me?

"Is it Lucas?" Gemma prodded, leaning against the counter.

I could hear my other guests at the entrance of the house and wished they'd come in faster so Gemma would stop making me think things I didn't want to.

I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face. "It's definitely not Lucas. Or maybe it is. I don't know. He's been sending me flowers every damn day, and I can't figure out if it's sweet or if it's just another way to mess with my head."

Gemma raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Yellow roses. Not exactly a declaration of undying love."

"Yeah, well, maybe that's the problem," I muttered. "He's sending mixed signals. First, he says he wants to be friends. Then, he's slipping in little notes that make me wonder if there's more to it. And all the while, he's still with Kath."

Thankfully my guests came in through the foyer into my open-plan living room, kitchen, and dining area.

I hugged Ace and Emily in greeting. And then saw Basil, who'd just come in. He opened his arms, and I flew into them.

"I've missed you so much," I mumbled into his chest.

"Me too, Sunshine. Me too."