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Alisha grabs the newspaper from the round coffee table, her face lighting up with delight. “The article and photos made it to the front page of the newspaper. You really put Venus on the map, Miss Brown.”
Pride swells my chest and warmth radiates throughout me. “Yeah.”
We both look up as the sound of the doorbell rings. A delivery man strides into the room carrying a massive bouquet of roses and a small box. “Miss Brown, I presume?”
When I nod, he hands me the bouquet. The soft petals brush against my fingertips while the sweet perfume of the velvety red and pink roses envelopes me. I thank him, and he takes his leave after placing the box on the counter.
“Who are they from?” Alisha asks, her eyes wide in anticipation.
My heart flutters as I pick up the card attached to a single rose stem and read the note, “Just because. Brian.” It’s been a week since our night together. We called and texted a few times, but we’ve both been caught up in running our businesses that we haven’t had time to see each other.
I open the box and find two dark chocolate brownies inside with a note that says,You taste so much sweeter.
My cheeks flush.
“Oh, the Fox is really putting on the charm,” Alisha jokes, walking up beside me with a smirk on her face as she takes in the presents.
I reply with a grin that reaches my eyes. I told Alisha everything about our situation the moment she came to work on Monday. Her response?
“Finally, it’s about time he got his head on straight and gave in.”
“Well, I’m off to see my husband,” she says, gathering her things then leaving, calling out over her shoulder, “Most men love red.”
I laugh at her not-so-subtle suggestion and answer back, “See you tomorrow.”
She hums as she exits, and I am left alone with my thoughts, in awe of Brian’s romantic gesture.
I grab my phone, ready to text him, but I don’t. No, this asks for a personal touch. With a wide grin, I walk through the store and grasp one specific item and put it in a bag before locking up the store and making my way home.
Two hours later, I look at myself in the mirror and assess my deep scarlet color dress, made from a lightweight, but smooth and silky fabric. It clings to the curves of my body and falls just above the knee. The neckline is modest but shows off the collarbone and the wide sleeves reach to the wrists and flutter slightly when moved. On my feet, red pumps with heels that are glossy and sparkly, with delicate straps that wrap around the ankle for a secure fit.Perfect. Time to surprise Mister Fox at work and thank him.
18
BRIAN
I glance at my watch, again, for the millionth time tonight. Nothing on my phone either.
My heart is pounding, and I’m overwhelmed with a thousand thoughts.Should I call her? Text her?
The florist said my gifts would be delivered in the afternoon. It’s already 10:00 p.m. My brows furrow and my chest tighten as I try to process what could have gone wrong. I’ve never sent a woman flowers.Maybe she doesn’t like them.Fuck that. I know she loves roses. So why hasn’t she contacted me yet? What if after having time to think about it, she’s put off by my heart condition and doesn’t want to get involved long term?I sigh in exasperation and glance at the clock again.
The days feel like an eternity since I last saw her. Though we texted and called a few times, it’s not enough for me. I want to see her face, hear her voice, touch her soft skin again; feeling it all summer under my fingertips. I’ve never been so obsessed over a woman. But then again, this is Amanda, who captured my attention from the moment we met. And now that I know what she tastes like and the sounds she makes when I pleasure her, I want more. So much more.
“Hey,” a familiar voice says, and when I look sideways, I find Nick coming my way. His usually kind eyes are narrowed, and his jaw is set in a tight line. It’s obvious something is bothering him, and I have a sinking feeling that it’s about Amanda.
“Nick,” I choke out, my body tense with both surprise and apprehension. “What’s going on?”
He stops in front of me, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. His mouth twists into a thin line as he looks me deep in the eyes. “Why haven’t you been honest with me about Amanda?”
I take an instinctive step back, my heart pounding hard against my chest. This is it—the confrontation I knew was inevitable.
“Look, Nick...” I start, struggling to steady my voice. “It’s complicated.”
He snorts, his eyes narrowing even further. “Complicated? There’s nothing complicated about lying to me about your feelings for my sister, Brian. I won’t let you treat her as just another one of your flings.”
I raise my hands in defense. “I swear she’s not.”
Nick studies me intently. “Then why didn’t you tell me? Why keep your true feelings for her a secret?”
