Page 119 of From You to Me

He surprised me with a full-blown grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

“What?” I mumbled, confused.

He grinned harder as he cupped my cheeks, tilting my head as he brushed his lips softly across my nose.

It only made me more confused. “What?” I repeated.

“My girl is growing up,” he muttered.

Pinks tinted my cheeks, feeling my cheeks blaze as I pushed him away. “I’m a grown woman.”

“That you are but you love so fiercely that sometimes you fail to stand up for yourself. I’m glad you’re saying no, you should say no all the time. It drives me to try harder and do better. And if I have to do that for the rest of my life then I will.”

I watched wide-eyed as he kissed my cheek one last time and pulled away from me.

“I’ll see you soon.” He winked, crouching down to pat Strawberry before he dashed off from my apartment.

The breath I didn’t even know I was holding escaped from my parted lips.

What the fuck was that?

The sound of my keyboard laced with Tony Ann’s “Icarus” playing in the background while I added to the final word count for my submission tomorrow.

A knock on my door interrupted me as my fingers stilled on the keys.

Fuck, who was that?

But I think I had an inclination as to who it could be.

It was Jay’s never-ending flowers.

The whole point of me loving this job was the fact that I could work from home without moving around a lot. But with the number of deliveries that I’d been receiving, this might as well become my full-time job.

And the trips I’ve been making to the local shelters to drop them off were becoming ridiculous.

“Thank you,” I mumbled to the delivery guy, who must think I’m some sort of lunatic receiving all these flowers from a madman.

Though annoyed, I couldn’t deny the tiny hum in my heart wanting to read his note for the day.

Flower 834 out of 2230–I think these shades are the exact shade of pink on your lips. And no, I’m not talking about the one that’s close to your nose. Have a lovely day, sweetheart.

PS How about a date?

Fuck.

I couldn’t stop the blush that scorched my cheeks.

His handwritten notes melted my resolve like a candle on a heated day.

I slapped my palm across my face.Get it together, Evy. Focus and stay strong.

I returned to my work and grinned when I hit the submit button, and another knock rattled on my door.

I blew out an exasperated breath.

I was so done with this. I was sending back whoever it was and would stick with my original plan for tonight with no one else interrupting me.

Hot shower. Cuddles with Strawberry. Sleep.

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