Page 61 of Where We Bloom

“I missed this face,” I whisper against her lips.

“You saw it just yesterday.”

“Still missed it,” I repeat before pulling back. Now that I get a good look at her, I can see the fatigue in her eyes. She reaches up to press on the tension on her neck as she turns to her employee.

“This is Emily,” she says, turning to me. “And this is Connor.”

“Hello,” Emily says with a polite smile. “I know you sent the flowers to the boss lady here, but I’m taking some home, so thanks for the flowers.”

I nod and shove my hands in my pockets. “Enjoy.”

“Oh, we are,” Emily says, walking off to return some books to a shelf.

“They won’t all fit in my house,” Billie says. “So I handed some out. But I’ll have you know, I kept my favorites for myself.”

“As you should. Are you all right then,mo rúnsearc?” I brush the pad of my thumb under her eye, and she leans her cheek into my palm, closing her eyes as if she’s exhausted. “We don’t have to do dinner. We can simply relax.”

“You’re going to deprive me of carbs?” She narrows her eyes, clearly teasing me. To my surprise, she takes my hand in hers and kisses my palm, sending a jolt of awareness up my arm and down to my cock. “Absolutely not. I’m hungry, Mr. Gallagher, and you promised me pasta.”

“Then I best feed you.”

Christ, I’ll give her the moon if it’ll make her happy.

She smiles softly and turns to Emily and another woman I didn’t see before. That must be Tiffany.

“Ladies, I’m heading out. Have a good day off tomorrow.”

“You too, boss,” Emily says with a smile and a wave.

With my hand on the small of Billie’s back, we walkto the front door and step outside. Miller stands in front of my SUV and nods at us as we step onto the footpath.

“We’re going to walk to the restaurant, Miller,” I tell him.

“Hi, Miller,” Billie adds with a smile. “Are you having a good day?”

My right-hand man cracks a smile and nods at Billie. “Yes, thank you, miss. I’ll be parked in front of the restaurant when you’re finished.”

But he doesn’t climb inside the SUV. He walks behind us down the block until we’re safely inside the restaurant.

“I’m Casey, your server tonight,” we’re told as we sit. She writes her name in crayon on the white paper and passes the menus. “Can I get you started with something to drink?”

“I’ll start with water,” Billie says.

“Same for me,” I reply and nod as she walks away.

“I have questions,” Billie begins, setting her menu aside and leaning on the table, giving me her undivided attention.

And Iwanther undivided attention. All the damn time.

“That makes two of us,” I reply. “Go ahead. Ask away.”

“First of all, do you want to get what we got last time and share?”

“And do you remember that, angel?”

She purses her lips. “I have an excellent memory.”

“As do I. That works for me.”

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