Not because of the money.
Not because of him.
But because something about the way he’d respected my no, then trusted me with a yes, made me want to see what happened next.
And that terrified me.
Because for the first time in a long time, the risk felt like it might be worth it.
Chapter Four
Asher
Agreement made. Terms clear. Juliet Mark didn’t strike me as the kind of woman who liked people circling her decisions, or poking to see if she’d bend. I respected that. I’d walked away clean when she’d asked for space, and when she’d called, I’d given her exactly what she asked for.
That was the deal.
It still didn’t stop my chest from tightening when I pushed the door open and saw her bent over the prep table, sleeves rolled up, hair pulled back, and completely locked into her work.
She didn’t notice me at first.
The bell chimed, soft but sharp in the quiet shop, and she startled just enough to tell me she’d been deep in concentration. She straightened slowly, turning toward me with a look that was cautious but not closed.
“You’re early,” she said. “Jackie and Jenna won’t be here for another two hours, so I’ll have to cover the walk-ins until then, but I’ve been working on the flowers for the ride.”
“No problem from me, doll,” I replied.
She nodded once and went back to what she was doing without another word. No awkwardness. No games.
Good.
Buckets lined the table, each labeled in her neat handwriting. Red roses. White ranunculus. Greenery, I didn’t know the names of, but recognized for how well it was green. There were small leather ties laid out next to zip ties and strips of rubber padding.
She’d thought about this.
I stood off to the side, hands in my pockets, and watched.
She moved with purpose. Every motion efficient. No wasted steps. She tested stem lengths, adjusted balance, wrapped bindings with care that told me she wasn’t just making something pretty, she was making something that would hold.
“That one won’t work,” she said without looking up.
I lifted a brow. “Why’s that?”
“Too top-heavy,” she replied, finally glancing at me. “It will bounce loose not even a block into your ride.”
I nodded. “Good catch.”
She snorted quietly, like she hadn’t expected agreement. “I’m not guessing. I mocked it up earlier.” She reached under the table and pulled out a handlebar mounted to a weighted base. The kind you’d see in a showroom or repair shop.
Clever.
She pushed her hair out of her face and smiled. “I made a pitstop on the way to work. I like to be thorough.”
“Mind if I see?” I asked.
She gestured for me to come closer.
I stepped in beside her, close enough to see the fine lines of concentration at the corner of her eyes. Close enough to catch the faint scent of greenery and soap on her skin. She didn’t move away. Didn’t lean in either.
