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Atlas: Thank you.
Chrys what now? I google to see what they look like, and then check where I can find some. I haven’t met anyone who loves white flowers before, which are traditionally funeral flowers. The chrysanthemums are pretty, though, classy and elegant, just like Natalie herself.
I can’t wait to give them to her.
After work Aries and I drive back to the clubhouse, where I shower, get dressed in jeans and a black shirt, and get all ready to pick Natalie up. I looked into that Sri Lankan restaurant she was going on about, since she said it was her favorite, and I stop and get the funeral flowers on the way.
She opens her door in a tight mid-length skirt, leather boots and a black top that shows just a little hint of her stomach. She looks stunning.
“Wow,” I whisper. “You are so beautiful. These are for you.” I hand her the flowers.
Red lips kick up at the corners. “Thank you. I love them.” She brings them to her nose to smell. “They are my favorite—how did you know?”
“I have my ways.”
She grins. “Come on in. I’ll put these in a vase real quick, and then we can go.”
I follow her inside and watch as she pulls out a vase from her cupboard and fills it with water, then arranges the flowers in it until they are perfect.
“Cara told you, didn’t she? I appreciate you doing the research.”
My lip twitches. “I didn’t want to show up with any old flowers. How was work? Did that guy say anything?”
“Cole was conveniently sick today and didn’t come in,” she explains, drying her hands and leaving the kitchen. “Which worked perfectly for me. It’s going to be so awkward when I see him. But I do love working there, so I hope he doesn’t ruin it for me.”
“He will lose his job there if he makes you feel uncomfortable again,” I assure her.
“How?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll lie, cheat and steal to make it happen.”
“Please don’t get involved.”
I sigh.
“Look, I appreciate and am so grateful you were there for me. Thinking back, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t there. I’d like to think I would’ve handled him, but I’m not sure. So thank you.” She comes and grabs my hand.
I bring her hand to my mouth and give it a kiss.
“But I need you to promise me you will not interfere with my job.”
I think about what she is saying before speaking. “Natalie, you are precious. And no one should ever make you, much less any woman, feel like the way Cole made you feel. I will honor your wishes—”
“Thank you!” She leans in for a kiss, but I pull back and she gives me a WTF look.
“But if I feel that you are in danger, I will do everything in my power to protect you. And if that involves your job, so be it.”
Natalie sets her mouth in a grim line and studies me. We stand like this for a bit before she leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
“I guess we won’t agree on this subject, but I appreciate your honesty. Now, where are we eating?” she asks as she heads to the front door.
“It’s a surprise,” I reply. “But I hope you are hungry.”
“I’m always hungry,” she says, as I open the passenger door to my black Ford Mustang, letting her in. As I drive to the restaurant, she tells me all about the case she’s working on right now.
“So you only do criminal law?” I ask.
“In my last firm I was kind of doing everything, but now I’m just doing criminal, yes,” she explains. “I mean, not only does it make sense for when I need to help the Wind Dragons, but it’s what I’m most interested in. Some days are harder than others, but it’s never boring. Like the new case I got yesterday. I can’t really tell you any specifics, but it’s a domestic violence case.” She pauses and adds, “You’d be surprised how many of those walk into the office.”
