Page 33 of Flowers Near Me

“I don’t like to exercise in public, but I hate treadmills more.”

Hades inclined his head. “Don’t enjoy dealing with admirers?”

“I’m not a fan of sweating and heaving in front of others.”

After sipping his drink, he cleared his throat. “I disagree. Those two things are better with others.”

Her traitorous cheeks blushed. “You know what I mean.”

A server carried a tray filled with blanched vegetables, hummus, and cheeses towards their booth. Happy to see the lunch spread delivered to their table, her focus shifted back to Hades. With quick movements, he placed several items from the tray onto her plate. Little samplings of each thing, as if he wanted her to try it all and find what she liked. She already knew she liked everything on the board.

“You’re certain Laura and Peter won’t say anything about our arrangement?”

Surprised by his question, Persephone waited a breath to respond. He’d asked before, so why was he still worried? And from the way he’d carried himself yesterday with Laura and Peter, she swore he’d considered them new friends. “Never. Laura can keep a secret like no one else.”

“Even from your mom?”

Right. He’s worried about my mom finding out.

“Especially from her.” She laughed to herself. The things Demeter knew about Laura were only the things Laura wanted her to know.

Hades hummed in understanding before tilting his head. “Are you trying to hide the fact that you’re a goddess?” His brow pinched in genuine confusion.

“What?” She stared back at him, awaiting clarification. His question lacked the playful tone she was coming to expect from him.

Smirking, he replied, “You were made.”

The query was serious. “Yes, then born. Not created like you.” Even if Persephone was truly one of them—an immortal—she’d be at the bottom of the pack. Fates, even Demeter in all her power and glory didn’t have the same clout or godly lineage as the top three brothers did. Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon were set apart. Setabove.

Hades shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. If you’re made, you’re immortal.”

A rise of heat hit Persephone’s cheeks. There was no way she was immortal. Surely, she’d know if she was because her mom would’ve told her. She had a goddess mother but no father. At most she was a demigod—still a far cry from having power like Demeter or Hades.

“Why don’t I have powerful magic, then?”

Hades sat taller and crossed his arms. “Oh, you definitely do.”

She shot him an incredulous look, studying his face for any hint of jest.

“Friday night in Narcisi. You used it on me. You still have me in your thrall.” He held her with a heavy-lidded look.

The intensity of his gaze was too much so she looked out at the other diners. No one seemed to be watching them. “Stop. No one is paying attention, so you can dial it back. It’s beneath you.”

“Not much is beneath me. I live several stories underground, remember?” said Hades. “Besides, I felt it with all my senses. Why do you think I approached you in Narcisi?”

This line of questioning felt too personal for something between two business partners—even two who were faking a relationship.

One eyebrow shot up. “To intimidate me.”

He scooped a few items onto his plate. “No, I wasdrawnto you.”

“That’s the reason?”

He shrugged. “I could tell you weren’t charmed by me.”

What an insufferable god.He was so used to people falling at his feet that he assumed anyone who didn’t was magic. This was typical god behavior to expect anyone and everyone to gush over their power, looks, and wealth. “Did you use this spokesperson clause to prove that I couldlikeyou?”

Hades leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “I did it because I wanted to get to know you before others could.”

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