I must have said that line hundreds of times since I opened the shop last year, but today it feels different. There’s more hope in my words than confidence. I’d like to see him again, even if it’s just for the innocent banter when he orders Wren Holson another bouquet.
“I have no doubt I’ll be back.” He flashes me a gorgeous smile. “I’ll leave you to work your magic. Thanks for everything, Athena.”
“Thank you, Liam.”
“I don’t hear that often,” he says, lowering his voice.
An ache settles somewhere deep inside of me from the rasp in his tone. “You don’t hear what often?”
“My name.” He pauses. “Most people call me Wolf.”
I tilt my chin up, taking another long look at his handsome face. “I like the name Liam.”
“Do you?” he asks with a cock of his brow. “I like your name too. What’s your last name?”
I give it up because a glance at the store’s website reveals that tidbit of information. “Millett. Athena Millett.”
“That’s beautiful.” He leans forward. “I’ve never met anyone named Athena before.”
I rub a hand over my forehead, suddenly aware of what I must look like to him. I’ve been at work since six a.m., and it shows. My long golden brown hair is cinched up in a tight ponytail, but a few wayward strands have fallen loose. The black liner I applied around my blue eyes has to be smudged by now, along with my mascara. My soft pink lipstick found a new home on the metal straw of my water bottle.
I drag myself back to the reason he’s here. “I should get started on Wren’s arrangement.”
He steals a glance at his watch. “I need to get back to my office. Thanks again.”
Shoving a hand through his hair, he turns and walks out of my store, leaving me with the task of creating something beautiful for his girlfriend.
Dropping my gaze to the counter in front of me, I realize he left me with something else.
His credit card.
It looks like I’ll see Liam Wolf again very soon.
CHAPTER TWO
Athena
Wren Holson staresat me with her big green eyes.
A toss of her dark brown hair over her shoulder only adds to her attitude at the moment.
My first mistake was barging into the middle of the mommy and son photo shoot that’s going on.
I can blame that on her assistant. He was on his way out of her studio when I showed up. The enormous floral arrangement in my hands didn’t faze him. He pointed at a pretty brunette wearing a teal jumpsuit and holding a camera.
I sauntered over with a big smile on my face and promptly sent the little boy nestled in his mother’s arms into a crying fit.
The flowers scared the hell out of him.
They’ve been a pain since I left my shop and hopped onto the subway to come here.
I poked more people than I care to admit as I swung the bouquet from arm-to-arm, trying desperately not to injure anyone.
Wren’s gaze drops to the envelope in her hands.
I got her to take that, but so far she hasn’t reached for the flowers. I shove them at her for the third time. “I’m sorry again for the interruption, Ms. Holson. I hope you enjoy these.”
She doesn’t make a move to take them from me. “Did Wolf send you here?”
