Page 15 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
I pushed it away and headed to my closet. I pulled on a fitted sweater that hugged my chest, paired with boyfriend jeans and heels. Simple but polished. I twisted my hair loosely behind my head and secured it with a clip.
My makeup was minimal, natural, just enough to enhance without drawing too much attention and I added gold hoops, small and classy, before I grabbed my bag, feeling ready for the day. When I made it to the parking lot, I grinned at my baby. I worked hard for my success which was why I didn’t mind indulging in one luxury, my car, a brand new Lexus, fully loaded.
It was an expensive investment, but one I earned. A silent reminder to myself every time I slid into the driver’s seat that I was good at what I did. I worked for this. I deserved it but when I reached my car that smile was wiped off my face at what was waiting for me. A bouquet of black roses sat on my windshield, a huge contrast against the silver paint of my car.
My eyes rolled hard as hell because I didn’t have to guess how they got here.
Emir.
I blushed at how beautiful they were. There was no way I should feel at ease knowing a man like him was watching me and my pulse damn sure shouldn’t have quickened with attraction.
But I did.
I approached cautiously, with eyes darting around the parking lot, looking for him, but I already knew he wasn’t here. I picked up the bouquet, letting my fingers brush against the silky petals before I inhaled deeply. They smelled fragrant and sweet which made sense because I recognized the red wax seal on the craft paper. Perfect Pick. He spent a lot on these. A small whitecard was tucked between the stems which I removed and flipped open.
Have an amazing day, beautiful.
I smiled big as hell before I caught myself. I shook my head because again, what the fuck was I doing? I slid into the driver’s seat, carefully placing the roses on the passenger side.
I had no business entertaining this insanity but I also wasn’t throwing them away. By the time I made it to work, I had pushed Emir and his damn flowers to the back of my mind and stepped into the office ready to tackle my day. The first person I noticed was Cami.
“Morning,” she stating from across the room, balancing a clipboard in one hand and a coffee in the other. “You’re cute today. What’s the occasion?”
She followed me into my office waiting while I dropped my bag onto my desk to get situated.
“It’s called having my life together. You should try it sometime,” I teased
“Now why the hell would I do that. I thrive by waking up everyday and choosing violence.” She grinned and pointed to my desk. “And roses. Pretty. You shouldn’t have.”
“I didn’t, you’re not my type, boo.”
“You’re cute for the denial but I’m definitely your type. I’meveryone’stype.” She smiled arrogantly. “Tae wants you to follow up with the Collins event. The client keeps changing her mind about the floral arrangements.”
I sighed. “Of course she does. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, I have to go. Doing supply inventory. Oh the joy of counting tablecloths and glass vases,” she sang and walked off.
I pulled up my schedule, finding the note Tae left me. The Collins event was a high-profile engagement party. The bride-to-be had expensive taste and zero decisiveness.
I dialed her number and waited.
"Baylyn! I’m so glad you called." Madeline Collins greeted me in her typical overly dramatic way.
I settled into my chair. “Morning, Madeline. I saw your latest request about the floral changes. You want to swap out the white orchids for roses?”
I released a sigh.
“Yes… but I’m second guessing it. I want something elegant, but also dramatic. Something that makes a statement.”
I resisted the urge to curse and rubbed my temples. “Well, we can always mix the two, incorporating the orchids for height and the roses for fullness.”
She squealed. “Oh, Baylyn, you’re brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?”
Because I’m the professional and you’re not.
“Glad you like it,” I said smoothly. “I’ll confirm with the florist and send you a finalized vision board and price change by the end of the day.”
That meant I would have to spend my afternoon at Perfect Pick because there was no way to get them flown in without blowing her budget.
