Page 44 of Finlay

I’d know. And like I said, I wasn’t that petty.

When it was done, I stepped back and sighed just as Reid walked back in. “What’s wrong?”

“What?” I turned my head in his direction.

“You sighed.” He gestured at the arrangement. “Is something wrong with it? It looks perfect to me.”

“It is perfect,” I said glumly. “One of my best creations.”

“Red roses, tulips, camellias,” Reid mused. “Someone’s getting lucky tonight.”

“Finn’s date,” I said sourly before stiffening. “Forget I said that, completely unprofessional.”

Reid’s brows shot up. “Wait, Finn ordered those?”

“Yes, and he’ll be here to collect them shortly.” I picked up the bouquet, taking care to not bruise any of the petals. I glanced back over my shoulder to see Reid scowling at the flowers. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He shook himself before giving me a tight smile. “Just confused about something.”

“Okay.” I sighed again. Any more of that and they could hire me to inflate hot air balloons. “Can you clean up in here for me please?”

Now Reid was the one sighing dramatically. “I see how it is. You make the mess, I clean it up. Just call me Cinderella.”

The bell went in the shop, signalling Finn’s arrival. “I don’t think Cinderella took two-hour lunch breaks.”

I didn’t wait for his response, striding through to greet the man who’d been haunting far too many of my sleeping hours. And my waking ones. Hopefully handing over this bouquet, knowing what it was for, would relegate him back to the box he should never have left.

The one marked ‘Do not touch or evenconsidertouching.’

“Hello.” I wasn’t sure which was falser—my cheery tone or my smile. “Your arrangement is ready for you. I hope your man is suitably…pleased.”

God, I sounded so fake. Could Finn tell?

That thought made me want to curl up and die. I could almost imagine him telling this story to the flawless man he was off to meet. The two of them laughingover my blatant jealousy and the ridiculous notion that someone like me could ever be worthy of Finn.

Finn’s gorgeous lips twisted up in amusement. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.”

I schooled my expression as I pushed the bouquet in Finn’s direction and told him the price. Just as with the first display he ordered, I added a discount. I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t good for business and I didn’t do it with anyone else.

Maybe it was my silent way of thanking him for making me feel a little more alive, even if I was too scared to do anything about it.

He tapped his phone on the card machine and I nodded when the payment was approved. “Do you need a receipt?”

“Nope.” Finn grinned broadly as he examined the flowers. I couldn’t help but wish he’d hurry up and leave. It was all very well taking the high road instead of giving in to my petty, jealous impulses, but did I need to have my face rubbed in what I was missing?

Like Finn’s chest. Or his thighs. I’d love to have my face rubbed in those.

“I’m certain he’s going to love them,” Finn continued, fortunately missing the fact I was now furiously blushing. Again. “Can ye talk me through the different flowers and what they mean please?”

I stiffened my shoulders and pasted on my professional smile. “Of course. I’d be delighted.” I came around the counter so we were both facing the bouquet. “I’m sure you’re familiar with roses.”

“Aye. I thought they were more for true love. See them everywhere for Valentine’s Day.”

“They can be.” I reached out to run my finger over a petal. “But they also signify desire. Carnal lust.”

I glanced up to find Finn’s hooded eyes on my mouth.

“That’s good,” he rasped, not looking away. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was transfixed. “What else?”

---