Page 40 of Love in the Time of Conversation Hearts

“Though I must admit, I thought you’d be dressed in something more festive. Seeing how this is your favorite holiday and all.” He smiles easily, as though the meeting on Wednesday never happened. As though none of it ever happened.

I bristle. Crossing my arms, I jut my chin toward the foyer, which is quickly being converted from a staging area to a welcoming entrance complete with a coat check and place cards directing our guests to their seats. “My diaper and archery set are waiting for me in the car.”

Adam snorts. Daphne’s frown grows theatrically deep.

I unfold my arms to point a finger at the bouquet in his arms. The roses are the deepest shade of red, with petals so soft they could be made of velvet. My favorite, though there’s no way Adam could’ve known. “Those for your date?”

“Actually—” Adam starts.

“Whoever wins your bid will be a lucky woman indeed,” Daphne interjects, pinching Adam’s bicep.

Adam steps out of Daphne’s reach so smoothly that no one could mistake the gesture as rude, though she certainly pouts like it was. Daphne tucks a curl behind her ear to no avail. It springs back onto her temple, unwilling to be tamed. Through the foyer, a gruff voice I immediately recognize as Dorothy’s calls out for Daphne, who turns to glance that way in mild exasperation. With one last glance my way and a lingering one spared for Adam, she sighs. “We’ll see, I suppose.”

Adam and I watch her walk away. Dorothy pulls her close and begins pointing one by one to the trays of canapes her team are unloading. Then, when Daphne isn’t looking, my friend tosses a wink in my direction.

“They’re for you, actually,” Adam says.

My gaze cuts to him. “What?”

He holds out the roses, their sweet aroma enveloping me in a rush. “The flowers. I felt you deserved some wooing?”

I take them gingerly, carefully avoiding brushing his skin in the hand off. “What if I don’t want to be wooed, Mayor?”

His answering expression is so confident, it makes me wish I liked him less. But my pounding heart refuses to submit.

“Bid on me, Cora. Hell, I’ll even give you the money to do it.” He reaches for his wallet, and it’s then that I have to suck up my reservations and grab his hand to stop him. His gray gaze lands on me, simmering with hope. And mischief. Because he wouldn’t be the Adam I know without it.

I jerk my hand back. “I don’t want your money. Let’s just… pretend this never happened, okay?” I push the roses back into his unwilling grasp. “I’m busy. There’s still a lot to do before guests arrive. And besides, I have a feeling Daphne will outspend even your cash reserves.”

I don’t wait for his response, or even allow myself a glance at his expression. My footsteps echo in the foyer as I make my way to the door and out into the snowy evening. Once I’ve changed into my dress, I’ll look as ready as I can for this evening. I can only hope I’ll feel that way as well.