“Sounds like a plan,” Jackson agreed and then stopped to look at me. “I was going to stop at the florist before I went home. To get something nice for Mav. Did you want to go with me to grab a little something for Dean? No pressure.”
No. Yes. Maybe.“Okay.” Damnit.
“You look like I just asked you if you wanted to go rob a bank, man. It’s just flowers.” Jackson chuckled and clapped me on the back. “Haven’t you ever bought flowers before? Maybe for Trish?”
I let out a slow breath. “Of course, I’m not an idiot. On our first date, I gave her a bouquet of carnations mixed with roses. For our wedding day, I sent her two dozen red roses. She told me it made her cry. And the morning after she gave birth to Cole, I had some delivered to the hospital. I made sure she had them for our anniversary, her birthday, Mother’s Day. I loved her. She deserved them every single day of the week.”
“But no one else?” Jackson asked as we started walking again.
I shook my head. “No, no one else unless you count my prom dates, but that sort of thing was just expected.”
“You’re shitting me.” Jackson’s mouth dropped. “No one?”
I shrugged. “I haven’t dated since Trish. It’s been nothing but hookups. Dean is the first one I’ve even been slightly interested in. This whole thing is scary.”
“And you want to date him? This isn’t a hookup for you?” Jackson asked as we slowed down in front of the florist.
I chewed on my bottom lip. “It’s not. I’m scared out of my mind, but I can assure you that I like Dean more than just a friend. More than a hookup.”
“Okay.” Jackson grinned and opened the door. “Then let’s get your man something nice.” He waved me inside the store and followed me inside.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dean
Iwas sitting on the couch with Cole as he gushed over his new friend-slash-pen pal when the sound of the door unlocking pulled my attention away from him. Beau walked inside the apartment holding a bouquet of red roses, white alstroemeria, and miniature pink carnations mixed with assorted greenery wrapped together in clear cellophane. He smiled at me as a blush crept up his neck and cheeks. Was that... No. Had Beau bought that for me? That was impossible, wasn’t it?
“Hey, Dad.” Cole hardly looked up from his phone. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”
I could hardly look away from Beau as he walked toward me, his blue eyes full of happiness. My breath caught in my throat as I climbed to my feet, and he held out the flowers.
“I wasn’t sure if this was something you would like. I hope I didn’t overstep, Dean.”
“No one has ever bought me flowers before,” I whispered. Tears burned my eyes as I stared at the bouquet in his hand.
Cole’s head shot up. “Holy shit.”
“Language,” Beau warned. “And these are for you.” He pulled a bag of Hershey Kisses from his jacket pocket.
Cole grinned. “Sweet! Thanks, Dad!” He grabbed the bag. “I think I’ll leave you two alone before it’s too gross in here.” He jumped up and hurried out of the room with his candy.
“Pink? Is this too much for you? You’re just staring at me like I just grew a second head. I can give it to my sister if—”
I grabbed them out of his hand. “No!” I exclaimed, crushing them to my chest. “They’re mine. Thank you.” And they smelled amazing.
“You’re welcome.” Beau gave me another shy smile. “I’ll be honest, it was Jackson’s idea. He wanted to get something for Maverick and suggested I do the same for you.”
I still had my nose stuffed in the flowers. “It was a good idea. No one has ever done something this nice for me before.”
“I probably have a vase for you to put them in.” Beau started to move toward the kitchen, but I reached for his arm to stop him. “Thank you,” I said again.
He nodded. “It’s the least I could do, Pink, after being such an asshole and ignoring you before.”
He leaned down to brush his lips over mine, and when I opened my mouth, his tongue slipped inside. Beau wrapped an arm around my waist to pull me closer, our tongues tangled together, and I couldn’t stop the low moan that escapade my throat. When we pulled apart, he pressed his forehead against mine and stared at me, his pupils blown wide.
“I don’t know what we’re doing, but I do know that I like you.”
“I like you, too,” I assured him. I liked him way too much, and I was scared of what was going to happen when Beau decided he was done with me and moved on.
