Page 7 of Knight's Desire

“The flowers,” Parker began. “I didn’t send them. I wish it had been my idea, but honestly, I’ve been too busy today to think about it.”

Hope’s eyes widened. “Oh. Well, maybe they aren’t for me.”

Kayla shook her head. “The delivery woman gave your name when she left them. They’re for you.”

A chill creeped up Hope’s spine, and she shivered. She was grateful to feel Parker’s warm palm on her back. “You know, Kayla, why don’t you just take those home and enjoy them? I always manage to kill any flowers or plants that come into my possession.”

Her attempt to lighten the awkward moment failed, but Kayla managed a slight smile as she moved the vase off the counter.

“Sure. I’ll take care of these. You guys have a good time and enjoy your dinner.”

“Thanks, Kayla,” Parker said before Hope could respond. He nudged her back as he looked at her expectantly. “Ready?”

“My shoes.” She quickly grabbed the heels and put them on, her aching toes protesting to being encased in the pointed pumps. Then she placed a hand on Parker’s arm, a sense of foreboding settling in the pit of her stomach. “Parker, can you give me a minute? I want to help Kayla lock up, so we can walk her to her car.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary—”

“No,” Parker interrupted, understanding that the secret sender of the flowers had spooked his girlfriend. “Hope’s right. It’s late, so I’d feel better if we made sure you made it to your car just fine.”

Kayla shrugged. “Okay. Well, we’ll be quick.”

Hope flashed Parker a grateful smile as she mouthed “thank you.” He smiled and squeezed her hand before she moved to help Kayla. She usually liked to put things in order and prepare for the next day’s appointments, but she didn’t want to leave Parker waiting longer than necessary. She would do as she told Kayla, arrive a few minutes early in the morning to ready the salon while still having time to spend on her designs. As she moved through the salon, tossing unfinished bottles of water left behind by their clients, she reached out a hand to caress her dresses hanging on the racks. Having them in her Shoppe felt surreal, and she had to touch them to remind herself they were real.

She looped her arm through Parker’s until they stepped outside, and she only pulled away for him to escort Kayla the few steps down the sidewalk to her car. Hope secured the door and turned to wait for him to return, her heart skipping a beat as he opened Kayla’s car door for her. She had been attracted to Parker from the start because of his gentlemanly ways, but that only grew as she learned how much the two of them had in common. Too many men she’d dated had tried to make her into something she wasn’t, but Parker was happy with her just as she was.

The foreboding appeared from nowhere, crawling up her spine to pop goosebumps on her skin. Hope’s smile faded as she wrapped her arms around her middle. She looked all around, noting nothing out of the ordinary. Most of the businesses had closed for the day, except for the two-story building next door. It housed a security firm, according to the store owner on the other side of her Shoppe, so there were people coming in and out of the building at all hours. Hope had barely noticed because they were unassuming and friendly enough if they crossed her path. Now she wished she’d paid closer attention.

Her eyes continued to scan the street, which had very little traffic at this time of the evening. None of the cars parked along the street seemed to have anyone inside, but still the uneasy feeling in her stomach persisted.

“Ready?”

She jerked in surprise, her hand snapping up to cover her heart where it raced in her chest. Then she smiled sheepishly at Parker, who eyed her with concern and bewilderment. “I’m sorry. Yes, I’m ready. The sandwich I had for lunch has long faded.”

He pointed across the street while placing his other hand against the small of her back. “I’m parked right over there.”

Once they were in his luxury sedan heading down the road, Hope relaxed against the plush seat and closed her eyes. The low jazz music from the car’s Bluetooth soothed her.

“Are you alright?”

Her lids slid open, and her lips curved in a tired smile. “I’m fine. I’ll be even better once you feed me something delicious. I don’t care where we go.”

“I had planned to take you to Mama Bella’s, but what if I get the food to go? We can eat at your place in front of the television and watch one of the cheesy chick flicks you like so much.”

“Italian food sounds amazing, but I don’t mind eating at the restaurant. It’s not every day my boyfriend surprises me at work after a long day for both of us. I think we could use the night out.”

“Alright. We can eat at the restaurant if you tell me what’s going on.”

“What do you mean?”

Parker looked briefly from the road to glance at her. Headlights from a passing car flashed in his eyes, making it seem like she was staring into a sea of melted chocolate. She loved his eyes, so warm and sharp, full of kindness.

“The flowers. How jumpy you were just now. I feel like something’s going on. You don’t have to tell me if you’d rather not. I’m just concerned.”

She sighed. “I didn’t mean to worry you. My imagination is overreacting, I guess.”

“How so?”

She started her story by sharing about the unusual scent of cologne in the Shoppe that morning, which had lessened as the workday went on, before moving on to the mysterious bouquet of flowers followed by the creepy feeling she was being watched as she left the Shoppe. All of that on top of her frustrating phone call with Mrs. O’Leary that morning and a full day of meeting with clients had set her nerves on edge.

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