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All In: The Price We Pay

Page 58

by Lili B. Wilms

“It’s great. Thank you.” I assure him immediately.

They both smile shyly. “The offer still stands, right? If you want to talk.” Carly glances at me encouragingly.

Nodding, I pull my phone out of my pocket. “I’m going to try to figure out who sent these first.”

“What’s all this commotion?” Simon’s loud voice booms over Ricky and Carly.

“You’re absolutely right, sir,” Ricky says immediately. He can handle any situation. “What a mess we have to deal with. And first thing in the morning.”

“Ah.” Simon glances into my office and furrows his brow. “An admirer?”

I wave it off. “Who knows? Maybe a wrong delivery. We’re in New York. Anything’s possible.”

That seems to be the most likely explanation to him. “You’re right. Let’s get to work.”

Carly and Ricky give me a quick wink and disappear. Luckily, Simon goes with them.

Finally, I open the message thread with Evan and send him a rose emoji.

Does that mean anything to you?

I wonder what he’s doing right now. He has a game in Vancouver tonight.

Even as I’m still holding the phone, the dots start bouncing.

Did the delivery arrive safely?

I have no idea, but if you mean five absolutely enchanting spring bouquets and a single rose that makes my heart melt, then yes. The delivery arrived.

Evan replies with a heart and is typing another response. Do you like them?

I let my gaze drift around. Do I like them? I can’t describe what the flowers do to me. Not only does my office resemble a spring greeting from a flower company, but it’s the gesture behind it. My hesitation is obviously taking too long for Evan.

He sends a ?

I love them. Yes. And they’re going to my head and . . . They make me happy.

The flowers don’t solve any problems, but they’re bringing us closer together.

I’m glad. I wasn’t sure if I was crossing a line or what your thoughts are on getting flowers.

I chuckle to myself. That’s Evan. Think everything through first. “They’re perfect,” I reply.

Good. My sister helped me pick them out. But the rose is all my idea. I wasn’t sure about the different kinds of flowers. They were meant to show how much you mean to me, but also that spring is coming and I miss you. Thanks to her, it all went smoothly. To be honest, that was also the safest way, in case they could be traced back. Joni’s idea. I think it’s a good idea.

My heart is racing. He talked to his sister about me. That’s huge. And he worked out a foolproof plan with her to send me flowers. That’s why they were delivered to the office. His sister wouldn’t even have my home address. The two of them thought of everything.

I’m completely at a loss. How am I supposed to get any work done today?

The joy over Evan’s move—that I’m apparently no secret to his sister. That he wants to make sure no one else finds out about us. That he’s going out of his way to show me that he misses me too and how much I mean to him.

Of course, the joy outweighs everything else.

I never would have expected this gesture.

How can I repay you for this?

Evan sends me a confused emoji and keeps typing. You don’t have to give me anything in return. I have everything I need.