Page 3 of Flowers Near Me

Such a simple app for the users but monumental for Demeter’s Bounty because of one glorious piece of tech:dynamic tracking of users’ location data. It was an absolute gold mine and her pickaxe was diamond sharp.

Persephone put a hand over her heart. “Well, I’m honored to promote the app. I know it’s precious to you and its success is a top priority for me.”

Eurydice nodded as she pulled up the contract on her tablet’s screen, Persephone’s signature already inked and dated at the bottom. Holding her breath, Persephone watched Eurydice drag her finger to sign.

“You turned around the changes quickly,” remarked Eurydice. She smiled, but kept her eyes averted from Persephone’s.

If either party backed out now, Eurydice would have to wait a year before she could shop for buyers and Persephone would be back to square one. And for as big as Olympus was, news traveled fast, and rumors of bad business traveled even faster.

As they ate their meals, they discussed their shared love of gardening. Working with someone with a common interest had Persephone imagining how fun it’d be to show each other their latest planting triumphs. What a sweet idea for Eurydice to turn her hobby into a business.

“I’m so glad I got to you first before someone else tried to snatch you up.” Persephone gave a light laugh, but Eurydice shifted in her seat as she looked at her phone.

Persephone cocked her head. “Are you alright?”

“I’m so sorry, but could you excuse me for a minute? My dad keeps calling and sent a cryptic text.”

“Of course.”

Eurydice sighed audibly. “Thank you.” Standing up, she pressed her phone’s screen, then brought it to her ear. “Hey, is everything…” Eurydice’s voice faded into the buzz of the crowded restaurant as she walked off.

Suddenly, the temperature in the room plummeted, the scent of leather and cedar curling through the air. Beside her, a deep voice murmured, rich with wicked amusement, “Persephone. Caught at last.”

As she turned to the god standing next to her, Persephone’s gaze jumped from a tapered waist, up past broad shoulders covered by a tailored suit jacket, and landed on a stubbled jawline and gray eyes. Her eyes narrowed on the enemy she’d avoided meeting in person for years.

Hades.

CHAPTER TWO

A SEAT AT THE TABLE

PERSEPHONE

She’d been warned countless times, “Don’t meddle with the gods.”Immortal. Powerful. Vengeful. Capricious. Even her mom could throw a fit that would scare the bravest mortal. And no good ever came from a god’s flirtation.

Persephone followed the length of Hades’ arm, where his hand rested against the back of her booth. A bold move as if they werefamiliarand not business adversaries. If a god wasn’t being terrifying, then they acted insufferably. Restraining the quip on her tongue calling out his insolence, she wracked her brain for something less antagonistic to say.

She forced a grin. “You must be Hades.”

He lifted his head with a laugh, then offered his hand. The suit jacket moved with him as if the material was his own personal armor, accentuating a muscled upper torso and lethal grace.

“Persephone, it’s thrilling to finally meet you.”

Her racing thoughts shackled her to the seat. Never once did she imagine she’d be meeting him by happenstance. Certainly not like this without her mom around. For as much as their businesses competed in the same market, they’d never been at the same place at the same time.

She struggled not to spiral into the depths of her mom’s countless warnings of him. Never-ending acquisitions that turned into monopolies. Cutthroat lawyers with unlimited time and money. Iron-clad contracts that ruined business partners. Fates, even his own brothers had told her mom they avoided working with him, and Zeus and Poseidon were considered his equals.

He kept his hold on the booth’s frame behind her. The whole display felt like an intimidation trick, but she conjured the weak magic within her and masked her feelings with an unbothered expression. Her own defense.

She extended her hand, keeping her back rigid. “Yes, nice to meet you.”Not at all.

With a firm yet surprisingly polite handshake, Hades released her hand then slipped into Eurydice’s vacated booth.

It was disappointing to see up close how picturesque his features were. A slim, strong nose that fit perfectly with his wide-set jaw and sharp features. As a child, her mom often reminded her that the most dangerous gods were always the most tempting.

“I was beginning to think we’d never meet.” The silky quality of his voice and the way he kept his eyes locked with hers prickled her skin. She couldn’t deny she was intrigued.Is he using his power to draw me in?Better that than genuine interest.

She cleared her throat. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

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