“And you are…?”
His facial features contorted. “No fucking way. Are you living here with Vee?”
I could blame it on the hard workouts today, but my brain was obviously processing at a slower than normal rate. A slow smile curled my lips. “Preston Clark, of the horse Clarks.”
“Thoroughbred. Is Vee here?”
“No.” I inhaled, deducing that the roses were masking the scent of manure.
Clark thrust the flowers toward me. “Give these to…” He pulled them back. “Fuck no. Forget it.”
“What is this?” Vee’s voice came from the direction of the elevator.
Clark and I both turned.
“Honey,” I called with as sticky sweet of a voice as I could muster. “You have a visitor.”
Clark turned his attention to Vee. “What the fuck happened? Why do you have a black eye?”
Vee’s fingers went to her cheek. “I was in a minor accident.”
Clark’s jaw clenched. “I’ve called and you haven’t answered or returned my calls.”
“I’m a little busy, Preston. My father just passed away.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I was worried.” He pushed the flowers forward. “I brought these for you. I thought…well, I didn’t want you to be alone.”
“She’s not,” I interjected.
Vee shook her head and gave me a side eye. “That’s very sweet of you.” She stood still, not taking the flowers. “I’m not alone. I am tired, and I want to end this conversation.”
“Is he” —he jutted his chin toward me— “living here?”
We answered simultaneously.
“Yes,” I replied.
“That’s none of your business,” Vee said and turned toward me, her lips pursed and green eyes wide.
I stepped forward, forcing Clark to back up a step or two. His retreat allowed Vee space to enter the condo. “Thanks for stopping by,” I said with a feigned smile. “We’ll have to do this again sometime.”
Clark set his jaw and stared at me.
I stared back, losing the fake grin as Vee walked into the condo. If this guy wanted to go a round or two, while I was sore, I was confident I could wipe the floor with him. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
The vase shattered as Clark dropped the roses at my feet, before turning and walking toward the elevator.
“What happened?” Vee asked, her hand on my back as she and I stared down at the shards of glass and tangled long-stemmed roses. “What an ass.” She bent down.
I pulled her back up. “Stop. I’ll get it. I don’t want you to cut yourself.”
“Okay. Let me get a broom and dustpan.”
Crouching down, my thighs yelled as I began gathering the roses. “Ouch.” I looked down at the drop of blood on my finger. “Damn thorns.”
Vee came back with the kitchen trash container. “Put them in here.”
“Don’t you want to keep them?”
