“Sidney,” Kelly cups her hand over her mouth, turning watery eyes toward me, “These are perfect. So much more than what I expected.”
Relief floods through me, and a grin lifts my mouth. “You’re happy?”
“Happy?” She laughs, “More than happy!”
“I have a gift for you as well. Just wait here a second.” I dart back to my desk and pluck up the display I’d created for her. It’s just a little thank-you gift that doesn’t really mean anything, but it’s a miniature version of her bouquet, one she can put in her house or even dry out and display after the wedding.
“Is this a baby version?” She blinks as I hand them over.
“I always like to use the offcuts for this, saves throwing them out.”
I stand back and watch the group gush over their flowers, feeling a twinge in my chest. She’s about to have the happiest day of her life, surrounded by friends and family and the man she loves. It’s hard not to feel a little envious when that’s something I’ve been chasing for years. My friends are all getting married or having babies, stepping into that next stage of their life and I feel stuck.
After the girls leave, I close up shop. Tomorrow is my one day off a week, but Sundays are sacred. It’s a day to chill out, rest and rot in front of the TV or catch up on reading. Most nights I don’t leave until gone eight, even though the shop closes at five or six, but those few hours give me a chance to catch up on anything Ihaven’t been able to get to through the day. I love that my little business is thriving, but it’s a lot of work on your own.
I’d tossed around the idea of hiring someone; I just haven’t had the time to look or put out an ad.
Locking up, I pull my cardigan closer to my body and begin the short walk to Noah’s apartment. It’s only a few blocks away, but if he finds out I walked and didn’t grab a cab or call him to come pick me up, he’ll give me a lecture about safety.
At his apartment building, I greet the doorman and offer him one of the donuts Noah had delivered, and then climb into the elevator, inputting the code to take me up to the top floor. There are only two apartments up here, Noah’s and some other dude I’ve never met, but there’s so much space, it’s likely we never will meet him.
I let myself in, dumping all my stuff by the door and kick off my shoes before I go in search of my best friend.
“Honey, I’m home,” I sing as I walk further into the apartment, following the scent of food wafting through from his state-of-the-art kitchen.
I round the corner, expecting to find him at the oven, but I stop in my tracks when I spot the dozens of red rose petals scattered over the couch and candles lit on every surface, the lights down low.
“Noah?” I call, swallowing thickly. Did he forget that we have dinner tonight? Oh God, is he entertaining a woman!?
It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve walked in on something, but that was years ago, and Noah never forgets when we have something planned.
Suddenly music switches on, and the deep, soulful voice of Percy Sledge sounds through the sound system, andWhen a Man Loves a Woman,fills the silence. I take a step further into the room, but a squeak slips from my lips as I’m suddenly grabbed from behind and before I can do anything, Noah spins me and then dips me low, his hand on my waist, the other holding my hand.
He grins down at me, all charm and mischief, “Hi, cricket.”
Chapter Three
“Noah,” her voice rattles out of her as her wide, brown eyes stare up at me, framed by thick, long lashes. Splotches of color bloom on her cheeks, her lips parted in shock as her silky, dark hair falls out of the clip that had barely been holding it together. “What are you doing?”
I pull her up from the dip and begin to move us to the music, keeping my hand flat against her spine and bring her other to my chest, her hand so much smaller than mine. She follows my lead, too shocked to do much of anything else.
But I’ll be fucking damned if she thinks she should settle for anything less than extraordinary.
It’s no secret that Sidney doesn’t have the most successful track record when it comes to dating. She never picks the right ones; they’re all fucking morons and dumbasses not deserving of her. So here I am, showing her exactly what she deserves.
“Reminding you,” I tell her, voice low as we dance in the middle of my penthouse. Candlelight flickers, sending shadows over the walls, the warm light kissing her skin.
“Reminding me of what?”
I pull her closer, reveling in the little gasp that pushes her breath against the base of my throat. “That you deserve the world and a partner who will give it to you.”
Her lashes flutter before her plump lips pull into a breathtaking smile, “You’re ridiculous.”
“Is that why you’re blushing?”
“Stop,” she laughs. “You did all of this for me?”
“Of course,” I dip my chin.
