Page 26 of Unmasking Mr. Crown

Where is he? Showering, maybe?

As she moved through the apartment, her nose picked up a strong scent. A distinct scent synonymous with her childhood home. With each step toward his bedroom, the scent intensified. When she pushed open the bedroom door, she froze. The entire room, literally every surface, overflowed with bouquets of her favorite flower—dozens of creamy white gardenias in full, intoxicating bloom. But Mr. Crown was nowhere to be found.

What the heck?

Natalie inhaled deeply, her gaze drawn to the bed. The bed that held their entangled bodies hours before was now dressed in fresh linens, and ready for round two. She took it all in, every petal surrounding her, shocked (but also not) that he'd remembered a tiny detail from one of their many conversations.

Let's see … if I had to guess, I'd say peonies, he’d said.

Close. My big sister loves peonies. I'm more of a gardenia girl.

She stood stone-still, recalling the feel of his fingers through her hair and on her skin and that deep final kiss. A kiss that challenged her laser focus, to the point of almost pushing off her Natalie & Co agenda indefinitely. Keyword: almost.

He’s a dream guy, no doubt about it. Smart and sensitive and sexy as hell, but you’re not giving up your dream for a few dozen flowers.

You can buy your own flowers.

She plucked a bloom from a large spray on his dresser, a tiny, fragrant souvenir of their special night. As she drank in its comforting scent, her phone pinged. A nudge from the universe.

United Airlines: Visit the United app to preview entertainment and beverage options for your flight to Chicago! See you soon!

She snapped a pic of the unbelievable display (photographic proof to share with Kate), then headed to his kitchen. Like the rest of the apartment, it stood pristine, with zero evidence of their breakfast. After some digging, she found a pen at the bottom of her purse and wrote her final farewell on the back of his note. She arranged it just so, along with her parting gift, then walked back to the elevator.

A hundred million women would tell you you’re absolutely batshit crazy to walk away from this guy. But goals are goals, timing is everything, and this just isn’t meant to be.

Turning back, she took one last look into his apartment.

"Oh, Mr. Crown … you’re going to make some woman very happy one day," she whispered, the excitement of her new life snuffing out the candle of her one and only one-night stand.

“Americano with a splash of cream!” a barista called.

Natalie repositioned her travel tote on her shoulder as she stepped forward to collect her order. “Could I get an additional cup? Just a small one is fine.”

With a cup in each hand, she walked up the concourse, weaving through the throng of travelers. Her flight wouldn’t board for fifteen minutes, giving her plenty of time to spill the recent and unexpected tea with Kate. At the gate, she settled into one of the last remaining seats. From her tote, she removed the gardenia bloom, wrapped with care in tissues she borrowed from her driver. She placed it in the empty cup, snapped on the lid, and tucked it back in her bag for safekeeping. A gate attendant made an announcement. Early boarding would start soon. Natalie texted Kate a second time.

Natalie: If you want to hear this breaking news, call me ASAP. Boarding soon.

She opened the notes app and jotted down a slew of ideas for the Nashville birthday-party-slash-soft-launch.

Two parties. One weekend.

Saturday: Celebration dinner at home with Pop and Kate.

Sunday: Surprise party/Showcase at Terrace Oak (check availability; linens provided = bonus!). Accordion-style business brochures. Cake from Beverly’s.

Kate finally texted.

Kate: Sorry! I’ve been in class. Let me step outside. Call you in one minute.

Natalie waited, her eyes focused on several couples with young children pushing their way toward the gate. The moment one woman pulled a baby from a stroller the tot’s ear-piercing wail rang out. A second baby’s cry added to the chorus. A loud sigh of annoyance slipped out as Natalie rolled her eyes to the point of injury.

Kate’s call came through.

“You hear that?” Natalie answered. “Crying babies. And we’re not even on board yet.”

“You used to be one of those crying babies. Pop in your AirPods; you’ll be fine. What’s the breaking news?”

“Stand by for a pic. Let me know when you get it.” Natalie texted the photo and held her breath, anticipating Kate’s reply.