“C’mon. Let’s go to the library and have a closer look at those books.”
“Sounds great.”
They walked together to the beautiful space, Honor’s presence comforting beside her. “So…Gabe.”
She sent her sister a sidelong look. “What about him?”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
It was her turn to blush. Her cheeks heated, and she knew they were brighter than her sister’s.
“I’ve seen the way you look at him too.”
“All right, matchmaker.”
“What? He’s nice to look at. A protector.”
She couldn’t deny either.
“He follows you with his eyes like you’re his favorite problem. You’re allowed to notice.”
“That’s the issue.” They entered the library and closed the door. “I’m not sure where he’s at in life. I mean…is he stickingaround the Black Heart? Or does he plan on going back to his sister’s?”
Honor moved to the window seat and sank to the cream-colored cushion bathed in sunshine. “I know how your mind works and I see how that’s a concern for you.”
“Exactly. The other concern is me. Where am I in life? My business is in chaos. I feel like an emotional mess. The last thing Gabe needs is me dragging him down.”
Honor’s stare softened. “What if he doesn’t see it that way? What if he sees it as supporting a woman who’s worth his time?”
She began to respond, but her gaze landed on a little cluster of flowers on the pillow she slept on the previous night.
Pale blue petals with tiny yellow centers, the stems bundled in a bit of thin twine.
Honor’s gaze fell on them too. Her back stiffened. “Don’t touch those.” Her voice dropped to a commanding tone Felicity had never heard from her little sister. “We need Gray—dammit. He’s in California. Okay—Carson.”
Felicity swung toward her. “Honor?”
Honor grabbed her arm, eyes wide. “Juliette got flowers from her stalker. Willow too. I’m not ignoring that pattern!”
“These aren’t from a stalker.” Felicity’s tone came out gentle, and she couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “They’re from Gabe.”
She froze. “How do you know?”
“Because it’s exactly the kind of thing he’d do.” She walked to the stack of blankets and the pillow at one corner of the sofa and carefully picked up the bouquet. “He’s…old-fashioned.”
Honor’s shoulders dropped as the tension flowed out of her. “Old-fashioned. Like someone else I know.”
“Honor.” The warning was edged with warmth.
“Let’s get a glass of water for them.”
They found a small juice cup in the kitchen and then Felicity arranged the flowers and set them on the mantel where the light caught the thin petals.
She wrapped her arms around her middle, examining the pretty blooms and thinking about a gorgeous man picking them for her.
Honor stood beside her. “Perfect. Now let’s go to dinner.”
She ducked her head to hide her excitement at seeing Gabe there. “I told Gabe I’d see him at dinner.”
