Page 54 of Five Days to Be Mine

“Ketchup chips and spinach. I need coffee or I won't function in the morning. You?”

“Agreed, coffee is a must. Ketchup chips are gross. I don’t mind spinach. Cauliflower is fine if it’s raw. I’ll have the occasional glass of wine or drink when I'm out. I’m more of an early bird than a night owl.”

“How early do florists start?” I pop a piece of bacon into my mouth.

“Depends if you are working in a shop or doing something silly, like being a freelance floral designer.” Mara shrugs.

“It’s not silly. But what’s the difference between florists and what your former bosses did, what you do?

Mara takes a sip of coffee, smiling. “A floral designer is an artist who uses flowers and plants to create one of a kind pieces for events. Unlike your florist shop, we won’t re-create a design once it’s been used. It’s creating one of a kind of art pieces for a special event. I have a portfolio, but I don't have a catalogue of bouquets you can order.”

I know she has a profile from looking her up online. She’s a talented artist.

“I think I get it. You got a degree in this?”

She shakes her head, sending her curls flying. “No, I have a degree in horticulture and a degree in design.”

“I know your former employers did a lot of restaurants and corporate places. Are you doing that?”

“That was what kept them going day-to-day. I’ll take what work I can get at this point.”

Her tone is so wistful. I want to take out my contact list and get her work and I will, after I convince her to let me help her in that way.

Her phone buzzes on the table and she glances at me. “Is it okay if I take this?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

There’s a part of me that likes that she asked but wonders why she did. Did she ask to be polite or to ask my permission?

I clean the table, get up to rinse the dishes and try not to overhear.

“Of course I’ll come and help,” Mara says. “I have to figure out how to get over to you and then I’ll be there.”

She stands from the table, bringing over her coffee mug. “That was my friend Alex. She’s down two staff members and they have a nighttime wedding.”

“I have a meeting this morning. I was thinking we could have lunch together, but dinner’s fine.”

Mara tucks a strand of hair over her ear. “This is silly because I don't have a car. Instead of being whisked away in your carriage, I should have taken mine.”

“Hey, impulse is the best spice.” I lean down to kiss her. Her arms are folded across her chest.

“Take my car.” I rummage through a drawer in a small desk in the kitchen that I never use. “And here is a key to the apartment. I’m not keeping you locked away in the castle, Mara. Though I might want to.”

I press the keycard into her hand and nuzzle her neck.

“I can’t take your car.”

“Why are you going to crash it?” I gently run a finger along her cheek.

She laughs, the high and light sound that’s featured in my dreams since the night I met her.

“Evan, you can’t give me your super expensive car to drive.”

“Yes I can.” I take her hand and kiss it. “This is what being mine means, and you agreed for the next five days.”

“That you force me to drive an ultra expensive car?”

“This is me taking care of you. I get to show you that I want more of what we had…have.” I crash my lips against hers, kissing her hungrily.

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