Page 71 of Kentrell

The corners of my mouth curved before I could stop them.

Zoe

How did you know

Me

How I know what

And who sent you them flowers

I feigned dumb. But I knew exactly what she was asking.

I’d noted the dying bouquet on her desk the first time I came to her office. She was trying to hold onto it, like it still had life.

And atStone + Marrow, she couldn’t stop staring at the flower garden outside the patio. The calla lilies? Had her smiling like a little girl.

So this morning, without even thinking twice, I pulled out my phone, found the closest florist near the Riverwalk, and ordered three dozen. Had ‘em delivered before she even finished her second cup of coffee.

It was only 8:42 when I hit send.

By lunchtime? She’d probably be calling again.

Especially once her Café Vervé order showed up—withanotherfresh bouquet.

Kentrell, I thought you said we weren’t going to lie to each other.

That made me laugh.

Not just because Ididtell her that—but because she remembered.

Licking my lips, I merged onto Stony Island and continued south, the thud in my chest picking up as I typed back.

Aight ma, you got it

Yeah that’s what I thought

I let her last text sit while I focused on the road.

Didn’t even last a full minute before my screen lit up again.

What are you doing?

On my way to one of my buildings

I turned onto Halsted, slowing down as I scanned the block—old habits, muscle memory. Just as I eased through the light, her response came in.

Oh! Did you get my email?

I finished drawing up the paperwork.

If you want, I can file and we can get the ball rolling.

Business.

Thelastthing on my mind when it came to her.

I’d already told her that a few times—she just didn’t believe me. And I didn’t fault her. She had no clue why I really came into her orbit… or who sent me.

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