Page 33 of Divine

“He’s trying anyway.”

“If you’re pouting, then he’s doing a good job. He hasn’t done anything out of the way has he?”

“No. He’s the perfect gentleman.”

“I bet you just hate that,” Syre said with a chuckle as he closed his plate. “Let’s go to the back and blaze.”

“Lead the way. Between you and your employees, I need it.”

I followed Syre to my back door. When he opened it, he looked around before stepping out. “About time you got some flowers and shit out here.”

Before I could ask what he was talking about, I stepped out to see a tree flanking each side of the walkway leading out to my back sitting area. Droves of pink peonies were gathered at each side of the door.Liam. How long had he been working on this? It had been at least a week since I’d been out back, maybe two.

He didn’t even tell me what he was doing. That’s what I liked about him. If I said I liked something, he got it for me without me even asking or even thinking about it again. He was so much like my brothers it was crazy. I think that was why I was becoming so attached to him.

“Looks much better with some color, huh?” I asked as I followed him to the pool.

“Yeah. Now, you just gotta keep them alive,” he said as he plopped down in one of my lounge chairs.

“Just like a hater to say something like that.”

“I’m not hating. I like them.”

“Whatever. Fire up,” I told him.

My fave and I smoked in silence for a while. Since I only smoked on occasion, I was a lightweight. I only hit the blunt a few times before tapping out. I didn’t know how long I had been stuck in place when Syre stood and walked over to my side.

“Wake up, D. I think your new bestie just got here.”

“I want to lay here for a while. Let him know I’m out here.”

“He just walked up. See you later, baby girl.”

“Bye, Syre.”

I wanted to talk to Liam and apologize again for my behavior, but I was too high to move. I ran both hands down my face and took a deep breath to try to get myself together as I sat up.

“Didn’t know you smoked,” Liam commented as he stretched out on the lounge chair next to me.

“Mostly when I’m stressed out or when Syre comes around.”

“You stressed or just being social?” he asked.

“You know I’m stressed out. I’ve been trying to figure out what to say to you all day long. I’m so sorry for lying to you, Liam. I just know how Syre gets. I didn’t want him showing up and ruining my date.”

He scoffed. “Like I did.”

“The last time Syre found out I was seeing somebody, he came in and beat the guy within an inch of his life and fired my whole team. I wasn’t trying to get you fired. I was just trying to have some freedom.”

“What do you want me to say, Divine? I don’t give a fuck about Syre getting in your business. He hired me to protect you, not to spy. Am I not doing my job?”

“You know you are.”

“If I’m doing my job, then he doesn’t have any reason to have an issue with me or question what you have going on.”

“You don’t know how he is, Lee!”

“Fuck Syre right now, Divine.You and Ihad an agreement.”

---