Mathew turned, and that was when he saw it—the quick look River shot Emerson. The tiniest flicker of something warm on her face before she tucked it away and put her teasing smile back on.
Oh. Mathew couldn’t help but wonder if she’d seen the bouquet and said something to Emerson about it.
River laughed at Mathew’s expression, like she could read his mind. “Don’t be mad at Emerson,” she said lightly. “He’s not wrong about one thing. I’m notusuallya flowers kind of girl.”
Mathew pointed at her, the tension easing as understanding clicked into place. “Well, if you don’t want flowers, maybe one of these days, you’ll at least agree to getting coffee with me.”
“I don’t doubt you’ll keep asking,” she said, still smiling, before disappearing through the door.
Emerson continued to smirk at Mathew even though Mathew scowled back.
“Not cool,” Mathew muttered.
“Shedoeslike succulents, by the way,” Emerson called over his shoulder as he headed out of the building.
Over the nextcouple of weeks, Mathew was determined to show River just how serious he was about taking her out and showing her how she deserved to be treated.
The first day, he sent her a succulent pot with a note admitting it was better to have something that wouldn’t die. He only knew she received it when Rose texted him and made fun of him through a slew of messages.
The second day, he opted to send River a text message.
Mathew:Craving some ice cream. You bring the waffles?
River:I’m not going out with you, Mathew.
Mathew:Fair. Who said anything about going out? I plan on staying in.
She read it,but didn’t reply.
He sent her a delivery of ice cream later that night anyway. He’d just finished with a patient when his phone buzzed. It wasn’t a message, just a photo. A selfie of River eating straight from the tub, looking entirely unapologetic.
Mathew:Monster.
After that,he sent her another plant. He wasn’t sure it technically counted as a succulent, but it was a desert plant with thorns and flowers. This time, his note was simple.
This reminds me of you.
Soon after she received that, a text popped up.
River:Is this because you think I’m prickly?
When Mathew readthe text message, he smiled to himself. She was warming up to him.
Mathew:No. I sent it because you’re beautiful and resilient.
Again,she didn’t respond. But she didn’t tell him to stop, either.
His siblings started teasing him the way his cousins already had. He’d never shown this much interest in a woman—not even when he’d been with Victoria. It was different. And he couldn’t deny it.
By the end of two weeks, River had five new plants and three tubs of ice cream. And he’d stopped by her place with coffee twice after his shift. Today marked the third morning, and this time he knew he had her order right.
When he knocked on her apartment door, River opened it with a grin. Her eyes dipped to the cup in his hand before she folded her arms and leaned a shoulder against the frame. “You’re really not going to give up, are you?”
He held the coffee out. “Nope.”
She accepted it and inhaled the aroma. “Do I smell a hint of almonds?”
Mathew nodded. He’d never tell her that he had Rose do some recon. It was the least she could do since she’d been teasing him mercilessly. River liked her coffee with just a splash of almond milk. No frills. No fancy syrups.
