Page 216 of The Heart You Kept

“Great, so now he’s going to hate me.”

“He’ll warm up.” I smile as I look around the store.

“So what’s with the guards in the shop?”

“I don’t know, but I can’t have them stand out the front any longer.”

I swipe through to the next invoice and glance at the clock on the wall of my office: 3 p.m.

Three hours until I see him.

I hear the bell over the front door. “I have a delivery for a Miss Alora Sorenson,” I hear a voice say.

Huh?

I glance up from what I’m doing, who’s that?

“Oh my god,” Jonty gasps. “I’ll go get her.”

His head pokes around the corner. “You have a delivery.” He laughs as he twists his hands together in excitement.

“She’s going to freak.” Helene laughs out loud.

“What is it?”

“Wait until you see.” He hunches his shoulders and I poke my head around the corner to see a delivery man with the biggest bunch of red roses I have ever seen.

“Alora Sorenson?”

“Yes.”

“These are for you.”

“Oh my.” My mouth falls open in surprise. “What the hell?”

“Sign here, please.” He gives me an iPad and I digitally sign for them. He passes me the giant crystal vase and I struggle to hold it up. “Have a nice day.” He disappears out the front door.

“Holy fucking shit. It’s a Lalique vase,” Helene cries. “The vase alone is worth a fortune.”

I put them down on the front counter and open the envelope to read the card.

From the day we met.

Edward xx

“Ahhh,” I cry as I hold the card to my chest.

“Fucking hell,” Jonty murmurs as he looks them over. “He doesn’t mess about, does he?”

I hold the card back to my chest. “My sweet Edward.” I glance over and see Philippe and Stefan smiling broadly as they watch on, oh crap, I forgot they were here. “You don’t tell him anything you hear around here, will you?” I warn. “You’re on my side now and anything that comes out of my mouth is top-secret information.”

“I won’t.” Philippe holds his two hands up with a chuckle. “Sweet Edward? You must have another Edward somewhere, though, because our boss is anything but sweet.”

I laugh as I look over the roses, huge, big heads with the most perfect perfume.

“How many are there?” Jonty asks as he counts. “Twenty-four.” He lets out a low whistle. “These would have cost a pretty penny.”

Gah…. I’m giddy.