Page 66 of Flowers Near Me

Persephone’s mouth pressed in a flat line.That seems like a reach.

Behind them, Cerberus panted loudly, but Charon drew Persephone’s attention back before she turned to look.

“No. You can actually see me in the background here.” She pinched and zoomed in on a woman looking down at her phone. As her eyes adjusted, Persephone could make out the outline of someone who looked a lot like Charon. “I was behind them. They kept a fist on the other’s back.”

“Hm.” How had Charon remembered that detail? The woman was thorough, but that kind of memory was otherworldly.

Minimizing the photo, Charon typed in Persephone’s name in the search bar and pulled up an image from yesterday’s lunch. “I know it’s not the same because you two aren’t posing for a camera, but there are a few things I noticed.” She pointed at Hades’ face. “See how he’s smiling here? Remember it because I want you to picture it when we look at some of these other ones.”

“Okay…”

In the photo Hades had his hand on the back of her chair. She didn’t know he’d done that until she’d seen the pictures later. It was taken shortly after their kiss, and it was hard to ignore how happy he looked or how seeing his delight now made her flush.

Charon was back to the original search and scrolled deliberately down the page. “Not smiling here… barely a smile… looks almost angry… looks…”—she squinted her eyes then laughed—“drunk, to be honest. Then… yes, this one. He’s smiling and they’re dancing.” She pointed to a lithe woman mid-spin. “That’s my cousin, Marin. Her boyfriend hated that she worked for Underworld Unlimited. He even said some nasty things about me. But this was taken shortly after she broke up with him. I asked Hades to stage this as a goodbye message.” Charon turned, smirking with a glint in her eye.

“Oh my… you nymph,” teased Persephone. “I’ll have to tell Laura about that one. She’ll get a kick out of it.”

“Think that’s good? Wait ’til you see this other one I coordinated.” Charon skipped down the page, and Persephone inched closer until their arms touched. “Here.” Persephone leaned in to get a better look.

Suddenly, Hades’ deep voice provoked a clipped scream from each of them, sending Persephone hopping away from Charon, and causing Charon to drop Persephone’s phone onto the floor.

He purred, “You two look cozy.”

“Fuck the Fates, Hades. Where did you come from?” Persephone picked up then clutched her phone to her chest.

He stepped close to her and answered, “I portaled here.”

“How long ago?” Charon asked as she took her coffee cup towards the kitchen.

“Well, good morning to you too. Did I interrupt an important meeting?” He cupped Persephone’s shoulder.

“I came over with groceries,” Charon called from the kitchen. “We’re figuring out Persephone’s dress for the gala.”

Hades smirked at Persephone. “Find one you like?”

“We’re working on it.” Fates, she hoped he hadn’t caught any of her conversation with Charon.

“Great. I’d like to see it once you have one picked. My suit should be coordinated around what you wear.”

With a quirked brow, Persephone followed Hades into the kitchen. “Won’t you wear a tuxedo?”

“Yes, but there are details that should complement what you’re wearing.”

“Other than the color and fabric of the dress, do you need to know anything else?”

“I guess not. But I’d still like to see you in it when they do the fitting.”

Persephone sat down at the counter next to Charon and said, “Hades, you’re not going to the fitting.”

“What if the dress is too restrictive?”

“It’ll be a gown, of course it’s restrictive. I won’t be exercising at the gala.” The parties of the gods could be elegant, bordering on stuffy or downright debaucherous. Would it be the latter? Her head went dizzy at the thought of having to pretend to be a doting girlfriend at a party like that.

“Fine, but don’t fault me for trying to help.” He winked.

“Yes. Trying to help yourself to a free show,” she quipped and heard Charon’s stifled giggle beside her.

Moving around the counter, Hades stepped up behind her chair and laid his hands on her shoulders. “Is there a paid one? Because you know I’m very wealthy.” He put his head right next to hers and her back stiffened. “Name any price, love. I’d spend everything I have on you.” The sound of his inhale faded as he removed his hands. “But I bet you want it to be a surprise.”

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