Page 9 of Knot My Boss

Fiora: What kind of man-meat?

Me: The six-foot-plus, paranormal variety. I bet one of them can rock your world.

Fiora: I’ll let you know.

“Can you possibly put your phone down long enough to help with the decorations?” Kali gripes. She’s petite and can’t reach most of the tree. The lot offereddelivery, so I got a massive Foxtail Pine. The cathedral ceilings in Dayton and Kyle’s house allow for the height.

“What’s the matter, shorty?” I tease.

I do it just because Kali is self-conscious about her height. Being just a couple of inches taller than her, at five feet seven inches, I should be nice.

Just as I start decorating again, the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it,” Kali calls out, already halfway to the door.

Soft muttering comes from the doorway, but I ignore it. Putting up the decorations is more time-consuming than I remember. But the house is starting to look very festive and is helping to improve Dayton’s demeanor.

“Ohh, who sent flowers?” Dayton coos, drawing my attention to the massive bouquet Kali is carrying. I can’t see her face, it’s that big.

“Not sure,” Kali says, setting the vase onto the coffee table with a slight grunt.

“That’s nice of Kyle to send you flowers,” I state dismissively, returning to my task.

“Uhm, they’re not from Kyle,” Dayton says hesitantly, causing my brow to furrow. “In fact, Darby, these are for you.”

“What!” Kali and I yell simultaneously.

Thoughts of decorating fly out the window as I approach the table. Looking over the flowers, there are roses, carnations, lilies, filler, and two other blooms that I have no idea what their names are. Standing there in stunned silence, my gaze moves over the bouquet, afraid that something is going to jump out at me if I get any closer to it.

“Who would have sent me flowers?” I wonder out loud.

“Is there a card?” Dayton asks from her spot in the chair.

“It’s buried in the center,” Kali answers, moving closer and fishing through the blooms. “Here.” She holds the card out to me.

My hands tremble as I take the card from Kali. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm myself down long enough to read the card.

My Dearest Darby,

I look forward to spending eternity with you.

Eternally yours

What. The. Fuck.

I drop the card and envelope, jumping away from it like it’s poison.

“Who’s it from? What did the card say?” Dayton asks in rapid-fire succession.

Nausea hits like a freight train, and I run for the bathroom. After losing what’s left of breakfast, I rinse my mouth and splash cold water over my face before returning to the living room.

“I don’t care,” Dayton barks. “Get home.”

Looking between Kali and Dayton, a look of confusion on my face, Dayton gives me a sympathetic look as she sets her cellphone on the arm of the chair.

“Kyle will be here in a little bit. Probably one of the deputies as well,” Dayton says. Ah, she must have been talking to her husband.

“Here,” Kali says, pushing a glass of wine into my hand as she ushers me to the couch.

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