“Did you get my flowers?”
We step to the side to allow a couple to walk around us.
“I did,” I say. “They were beautiful and unexpected.”
“I realized that I didn’t leave my contact information on the card.”
This is true. Use it.
“Right. Um, I tried to figure out how to get in touch with you.” I shove a strand of hair behind my ear. “Marius, the flowers were beautiful, as I said, but I’m not sure why you sent them.”
“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman.”
Nate’s gaze is heavy on my back as I try not to fidget.
“I …” I take a deep breath. “I’m in a relationship with Oliver Mason, Marius. And it’s not appropriate for you to send me flowers or for me to see you like this.”
He looks puzzled. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. Are you sure about that?”
It only takes a second to look in his eyes and know he’s screwing with me. Why? Who knows? I don’t even care.
“It’s really none of your concern either way,” I tell him. “Thank you for the flowers and for coming all the way down here to see me. But I would really appreciate it if you refrain from doing either thing again.” I pause. “And how in the world did you know to send them here?”
I hold my breath and wait for his reaction. The coolness in his eyes scares me, but a smile spreads on his lips. It’s a strange contradiction that I don’t care to work out.
“I have my ways.” He grins. “I’m disappointed, but I respect your choice.” He slips a hand inside his jacket and pulls out a business card. He hands it to me. “In case you change your mind.”
I don’t know what to do so I take the card.
“For the record,” he says, leaning in close, “Oliver would be a fool not to see that you’re smitten with him.” He presses a kiss to my cheek.
“Marius,” I say, flushing, “I don’t …”
My voice drifts off as something pulls at my attention from the side. I look up and nearly drop the business card.
Oh. My. Gosh.
Ohmygosh!
Oliver is standing next to the door. His hands are curled into fists at his side. His hair is a mess, his eyes tired yet full of fury.
“Oliver!” I call out and step toward him.
He doesn’t move. Twitch. He doesn’t even smile.
His eyes stay on me, following me through the dining room despite Marius standing a few feet back. The closer I get, the depths of the emotions in his eyes become apparent.
It was easier just seeing the fury. It shatters my heart to see the sadness. The disappointment.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice sounding like I just ran a marathon.
Every cell in my body vibrates. The hair on the back of my neck stands. A franticness sweeps through me, and I reach for him, only to have him pull back.
He clears his throat. “I came to see you …” He looks over my shoulder and then back at me. “But it looks like you’re busy.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think, Shaye?”
He says my name like anyone else. Shaye. The warmth, the honey, the kiss that he usually puts on that one syllable is gone.
“I don’t know what you think, but—”
“Oliver, how are you?” Marius comes to my side.
The tension between the two of them is palpable. I can almost see the air scattering for safety.
“I just came to say hello to Shaye,” Marius says. “I hadn’t heard from her and I wanted to make sure she got the roses that I sent.”
Oliver’s jaw clenches. “Roses, huh?”
Tears lick at my eyes. My vision is blurry through the red-hot water rising quicker than I can blink it away.
“Thirty of them. Kind of hard to miss.” Marius laughs. “But she got them. No worries.”
“Marius, stop,” I beg, my body trembling.
“Stop what?”
“Shaye, don’t,” Oliver warns, his voice ice cold.
“I didn’t want your flowers. I didn’t even keep them.” I look at Oliver, imploring him to listen to me. “I gave them to Paige. She’s over there. You can ask her.”
“Perhaps not.” Oliver’s jaw flexes. “It’s clear that I didn’t read the room correctly at the gala. Again. My focus and attention didn’t satisfy you either. That won’t happen again.”
Marius steps to the side. “I think I’ll be on my way.”
Oliver steps in his path. “If I see you anywhere near her again …”
“What?” Marius asks, glowering down at Oliver. “She didn’t even tell you I sent her flowers. You think she tells you everything?”
Oliver’s face angers even more. His fist starts to rise.
I shrink back. Please don’t hit me.
Another step back.
Please, I didn’t do anything. Just don’t hit me.
Before I’ve taken a breath, out of nowhere, Nate is in my space. “It’s okay. I got you, Shaye.”
He puts his hand on Oliver’s arm, holding it down. Oliver’s head whips to see Nate begging him to say something.