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***
Blake Harrington walked through the sliding doors of the Mercy Street Women’s Hospital carrying the flowers for Rose. He had only thirty minutes to spend with her this afternoon since he had an important client meeting coming up. Here he was delivering flowers to Rose when his thoughts were on the pretty sales clerk at the flower shop. He knocked on the door of Room 106 on the fourth floor and saw Rose asleep on the bed.
He placed the floral arrangements on the counter beside all the others he had brought for her when the nurse walked in.
“Those are beautiful flowers, Blake. You really outdid yourself this time. Rose is lucky.”
“Oh, no. I’m the lucky one. She’s been a great family friend. I’d do anything for her.”
The nurse smiled and hung another intravenous medication for Rose before leaving the room.
Blake went over to the bed and kissed Rose on the forehead. She had on a beautiful red scarf tied on her head and wore a matching dressing gown.
Rose responded to his kiss and opened up her eyes. “Oh, darling. You’re back again.”
“You know I can’t keep away from you, Rose. I’ll be here every day until you’re sick of me.”
Rose gave a weak laugh. “The doctor says I could be out of the hospital by the end of the week.”
“That’s great news, Rose.”
“I know.”
“Just let me know if you need anything at all. Anything.”
“Blake, you’ve done more than enough. I really appreciate it, hon. But, really. I’m okay. You know me. I’m one tough cookie.”
“You’re a sweet cookie, Rose. You deserve the best in life.”
“So do you, sugar. Now what’s on your mind?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You seem a little distracted. Your words are here but your mind’s somewhere else.
Blake, I’ve known you way too long.”
Blake didn’t want to mention Jen to Rose. It would be wrong. What could he say? He didn’t realize that it was that obvious. Rose was always a mind reader.
“It’s nothing. Just business. I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut our time short today.”
“Ooh, sounds really important. Don’t tell me. You’re doing another one of your hostile takeovers.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“No, you’re too much of a gentleman with the women to admit that. But I know you’re a
real tiger in the boardroom. You’re only thirty-two and you own, what? Six businesses? You certainly do have a rep in the business world.”
“Don’t believe everything you read in those tabloids.”
“I believe every single word, sugar. That’s how I keep myself entertained,” she said, grinning.
Blake tilted his head back and laughed.
“Blake, you’re not cheating on me are you?”
“What?”
“You know. With another woman?”
“Do I seem like the cheating type?”
“You’re right. What was I thinking,” she teased him as she playfully punched his arm.
“I love getting all the attention from you, Blake. You’re a good man. You know that?”
“You’re a good woman, Rose. Now, hurry up and get better so you can get out of here fast.”
It was Rose’s turn to laugh.
“You know, Blake, I was just kidding about that cheating stuff.”
“I know.”
“Now tell me, sugar. What’s really on your mind? Who is she? I’ve seen you come in here before with business on your mind but you have a special glow to your face. Like you’ve just met Miss Universe or something?”
Blake wasn’t a man who was easily intimidated but Rose could easily be his mother. He sighed and shook his head.
“Do you really want to know?”
“I’m listening, sugar!”
***
The following week Jen was back in the flower shop arranging one of the floral displays, stifling a yawn. She’d been up the night before on the internet searching for a more permanent job that was full-time and offered benefits. Something she could really live on. She wished she didn’t have any debts or bills because she loved working around beautiful flowers—too bad the pay was terrible, especially with her being a part time employee. So much was on her mind that she hadn’t taken her usual morning stroll on the beach before coming into work.
