Page 25 of Flowers Near Me

Persephone gave a carefree shrug. “I love food.You?I’m not so sure about.”

Chuckling, Hades quipped, “Give it time. You may even end up desiring me more than you desire food.”

“Oh, Fates. There’s no way.”

Hades raised one brow in a challenge, and Persephone took another sip of her drink. She asked, “So tell me. How do you plan on using the tech inFlowers Near Me?”

His throat strained as he swallowed his drink and answered, “Same as you would have. Apply it to all e-commerce delivery, then use the location data for custom ads.”

She nodded, unsurprised by his answer but intrigued that he’d admit it so freely. “Must be nice to know you’ll regain your revenue lead in delivery sales.”

“Oh, love, this will definitely level the field between your mom’s company and mine. No… I take that back. Now that I have the app andyou, I’ve gained an immeasurable advantage.” His eyes bore into hers like a predator cornering its prey. “If only you’d stop living in Demeter’s shadow and cast your own.”

“I enjoy working for her.” Persephone’s reply was quick, instinctual. But was it actually true? Was Hades onto something when he said she lived in her mom’s shadow?

“Maybe, after some time with me, you’ll change your mind.” Hades sank back in his seat.

“Not sure about that,” said Persephone. “You are the villain who snatched me away from my thriving career.”

“Or maybe I’m the hero who rescued you from perpetual mediocrity?”

She chuckled. “I know a few salespeople who would love the way you think.”

Their first course arrived and despite the flitting in her stomach, Persephone had no issue savoring the roasted vegetable tart and its accompanying arugula salad.

Hades pulled her back to their conversation. “Your niece, Helena. Where does she attend school?”

Persephone’s spine went rigid. Why would he ask about Helena? He could find that information on his own if he really wanted to, so there was no point in lying or avoiding the question. But that didn’t mean she needed to say more than the school’s name.

“Mount Olympus Academy.”

“Great school.” Hades relaxed in his seat, his expression nostalgic. “I remember when it opened.”

Built several centuries ago, most gods still considered it a newer establishment. Odd that someone who looked to be barely a decade older than her had lived many of her lifetimes already.

As a server cleared their plates, Persephone scanned the bar through the mirror’s reflection. There were a few gods and goddesses she recognized from events her mom had hosted over the years. Of course, most of them hadn’t known who she was until recently.

She went to ask him a question but stopped when his face hardened at a sight behind her.

“Brother!” a deep rumble of a voice called before a tall, well-dressed god Persephone knew as Poseidon slid into the booth next to Hades.

“Poseidon,” Hades said in a flat tone. Any exuberance he had a second ago drained from his chiseled face.

Poseidon showed off his pearl white teeth that contrasted with his tanned complexion. “You must be Demeter’s daughter, Persephone.” He extended his hand across the table. Persephone went to return the handshake, but he tugged her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it.

“That’s enough.” Hades swatted at Poseidon.

“So Persephone,” Poseidon continued, “how’d you end up stuck working with him?” He thumbed towards Hades while keeping his attention on her.

There was a moment where Persephone wondered if Poseidon suspected she’d been unknowingly tricked into the contract. Even if he did, she doubted he’d be any help. So she gave a lighthearted smile and answered, “Olympus is only so big. It was only a matter of time before I ended up working for someone other than my mom.”

With a sly tilt of his head, Poseidon said, “If I had known you were on the market for a business partner, I would’ve snatched you up.”

Hades tugged on his sleeves. “Well, you didn’t and now you’re interrupting our pleasant evening. It looks like your date has returned and is looking for you.” He flicked his nose towards the bar.

Poseidon wrapped one arm around a frowning Hades. “I only just got here.” Poseidon beckoned the woman sitting at the bar. “Why don’t we join you two?”

Hades’ jaw flexed. Clearly outrageous flirting was a family trait of theirs, and she had no interest in chatting up two of Olympus’ major gods. The handsome one she now lived with was bad enough.

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