Bloom

“Hi, yourself.” He takes a step closer to the table.

Brushing my hands over the front of my jeans, I glance at Leanna before I gaze back at him. “What are you doing here?”

“I missed you.” He shoves a hand through his hair. “I wanted to see your beautiful face.”

“Swoon,” Leanna whispers in my ear. “It’s break time, boss. Don’t hurry back.”

It’s not break time. It’s the middle of the afternoon, and she’s set to leave in less than an hour. I have two more orders to fill before Al shows up to pick her and the day’s deliveries up.

“I have a lot to do,” I say, glancing up at Liam. “Can we meet up later?”

“You have nothing to do.” Leanna pushes my shoulder. “I’ll take care of all of this. You take care of yourself.”

“Give me ten minutes, Athena.” Liam flashes me a smile.

How can I deny him anything when he’s looking at me like that?

“Ten minutes,” I repeat back.

“Make it thirty.” Leanna laughs before she lowers her voice and turns to face me. “Take him home with you, Athena. An afternoon quickie might be just what you need.”

I glance at Liam to find his eyebrows perked. When I look back at Leanna, she’s shrugging a shoulder.

“He heard every word of that,” I point out.

“Good.” She winks. “Have fun, and don’t hurry back.”

Chapter 46

Liam

Reading people is something I’ve

always been good at. It started when I was a kid, and my mom would sit in silence in her chair in the corner of her bedroom.

She’d pretend to be reading, but she bookmarked the same page for months.

I’d watch from my spot in the center of her bed where I’d sit and play with my toys.

She never turned a page. She rarely looked at the book.

She’d stare out the window for hours.

I didn’t know why until a few years ago. She’s never confided in me. Winola told me that sometimes people think they’ve reached a point of no return where their secrets have to stay buried.

That’s bullshit.

It’s never too late to admit your sins and cleanse your soul.

If the person listening to your confession loves you, they’ll steer you into the light of forgiveness.

I want to do that with my mom but she chose to hide behind the truth she created in her mind.

Athena is hiding something too.

She hasn’t said a word since we left Wild Lilac.

I strolled next to her, holding her hand while she looked off in the distance.