Page 137 of DeLucas After Dark

Smiling, she returned her gaze to him and said, "There were dozens of roses all over the bathroom. They were beautiful."

Oh, right.He'd forgotten he'd requested that.

"Was that your idea?" she asked.

"It was. I'm glad you liked them."

"I loved them. But why in the bathroom?"

"Wherever you go in this restaurant, even if you want to go to the kitchen to compliment the chef personally, you'll find at least one vase of roses."

"For me?" she asked.

"For you. My world bloomed once you entered it. That's why I want to make sure you see flowers wherever you go."

Eve burst out laughing.

"What's funny?" Enzo asked.

She laughed so hard that she had to clutch her side. "I'm sorry," she gasped, barely able to get the words out because she couldn't stop laughing.

"What's funny?" He was sure he'd said it right, line for line.

He'd found it on the internet when searching for romantic things to say to your Valentine. She took a deep breath, trying to reign in her laughter. One look at him had her laughing hard again. He must've said it wrong. Enzo gritted his teeth.

"Keep laughing like that, and you're going to hurt yourself."

She looked almost ready to fall out of her seat. Eve shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. Most motherfuckers didn't like looking his way, afraid that if they looked at him the wrong way, he'd kill them. Most motherfuckers didn't like talking to him, afraid that if they said the wrong shit, he'd kill them.

They definitely didn't laugh at him. That was a ticket to hell, for sure. But his Eve did all that. She stared him directly in the eyes and laughed at him like he wasn't the don of one of the largest crime families in the world.

To her, he was just Enzo. And that's one of the reasons he loved her so fiercely. Enzo handed her a napkin, which she used to dab her eyes and dry her cheeks as she slowly calmed down.

"Now, do you want to tell me what was so funny?"

Smiling, she took a deep breath and released it slowly.

"What corny pick-up lines site did you find those words on?" she asked.

How did she know? He started to deny it but thought better of it.

"How did you know I found it online?"

She chuckled again. "Because that doesn't sound like something you'd say."

"But it was sweet, right?"

"It was sweet," she agreed. "Corny, but sweet."

"It made you laugh, so it was worth it. I'm happy as long as you're happy."

Her smile widened. "You say the sweetest things."

"It's easy to do when I'm staring at the sweetest woman."

Her blush was beautiful. Enzo raised his glass. Eve followed suit. The clink of their wine glasses filled the air as they toasted to their love and the special occasion.

"Here's to a memorable Valentine's Day, my angel," Enzo told her. "May our love continue to grow stronger every day. I also read that online."

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