Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
ALICE
“Someone looks happy,” Leon says.
“Stop it.”
I trim a bundle of roses, wrapping them in butcher paper before moving them to cold storage.
“Just saying…you look happier than I’ve seen you look in a long time.”
“Could be because you gave me Saturday off.”
With the store closed on Sundays, it’s the only day off I take during the week. And before Declan and I got married, I used to come in to get ahead on orders.
This last weekend? It was the first time off I’ve taken in a long time. Well, at least since Vegas.
“Or it could be because you spent the weekend in bed with that husband of yours.”
My cheeks burn hot. “You can’t say things like that at work.”
“It’s never bothered you before.”
“Yeah, because we were talking about your sex life. Not mine.”
He elbows me in the side, grabbing the empty bucket off the work bench. “It’s more exciting when it’s yours because you never have any fun.”
“Hey!” I scoff. “I have fun.”
“Yeah, but not the sexy kind of fun. You’re way more mellow today.”
“Am I?”
I toy with the end of my braid.
“Yes. Clearly sex with your husband is good for you.”
“Okay.” I point a finger at him. “You have got to stop saying that. What if a customer walks in?”
“My store, my rules.”
“See if I stick around.”
He shakes his head at me. “As if you’ll go anywhere else. Besides, this place will hopefully be yours this time next year.”
“When I will implement a no-sex-talk-at-the-shop rule.” I laugh.
“Good luck!” he singsongs as he heads to the back to grab more flowers.
The whole reason I’m so happy is because of Declan and the weekend we spent together. I hated leaving him this morning, but between my job and him going for a workout session with the guys, our time was cut short.
I can’t wait to get to go home to him. Leon’s reminder that this place could be mine next year is why Declan and I are doing this.
Not that I need the reminder, but Enchanted Petals is what I’ve always wanted. Ever since Leon gave me the job, I’ve loved this place. More than anything else in the world.
So what if I was a workaholic? I have a fun life, regardless of what Leon thinks. But now there’s the added element of my husband. And not just my husband that I’m staying married to in order to buy this place.
No, there’s my husband whom I very much enjoy having sex with.
I don’t think of the added complications. There will come a time for that. Once heat on the league has died down around the personal lives of players, people will forget about our announcement. I’ll get my shop, and we can quietly divorce.
Why does that thought make me sick to my stomach already?
“Hey, Froggie.”
The door jingles, startling me out of my thoughts, and in walks my husband. Holy shit.
He is so damn sexy, it hurts.
How did it take me so long to notice this about him?
“What are you doing here?” I glance down at my watch. “I thought you were working out with the guys.”
“I am. Well, did. I thought I’d stop by on my way home.”
“Aren’t you a charmer?” Leon bursts out of the back room, wiggling his fingers in greeting to Declan. “I wish my husband would stop by more.”
“It’s that newlywed bliss,” he says, hopping up to sit on the workbench. “Leon, I owe you a thank you.”
“For what?” His gaze flits back and forth between the two of us.
“Declan!” I hiss.
He better not be going where I think he’s going with this.
“For giving Alice the day off this weekend. I appreciate it.”
Leon waves him off. “Alice works too hard. She needs to take more time off.”
I blow out a breath, leaning against the table where Declan sits. “I keep trying to tell her that, but she won’t listen.”
“Because we’re busy,” I say, trying to go back to work, but to no avail. “Someone has to take their job seriously.”
“Ouch.” Leon feigns hurt. “I happen to take my job very seriously. But I also have something called work-life balance.”
“Froggie is still learning about that,” Declan says, pressing a kiss to the crown of my head. “It’s why we love her.”
Leon bats his eyes at us. “You two are seriously the cutest.”
“Thanks,” Declan says. “While you’re here, we’re going to be having people over on Friday night to celebrate the wedding.”
“We are?” I ask. This is the first I’m hearing about this.
“Remember? We talked about it this weekend.”
“I remember a very different conversation.”
Warmth blooms up my cheeks. Although, I’m pretty sure that a dozen killer orgasms will push all rational thought from your head.
“I mentioned it to the guys today, and they were all about it. They’ll be over Friday night, so you and Jacob need to come,” Declan says.
“Sounds great.” Leon pulls his phone out of his apron. “I’ll put it in the calendar now.”
“Do you think you can give your best employee the afternoon off?”
“Best?” Leon laughs. “Alice has been employee of the month ever since she started, and I’m including myself in that. She can have as many afternoons off as she wants.”
“Good. I’ve got it all planned, so she doesn’t need to do anything.”
“Can I at least bring the flowers?” I ask.
“No,” they both answer.
“I will take care of that,” Leon says. “I do know a thing or two about what you like.”
“Ugh. Fine.”
“Don’t sound so excited, Froggie.”
“I don’t like when the two of you gang up on me.”
Declan presses a kiss to my lips. “It’s only because we love you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I roll my eyes at both of them. “Would you two let me get back to work so I can get some things done?”
Declan hops off the counter. “I’ll see you at home?”
“I’ll be home at my usual time.”
He wags his brows at me. “Don’t be late. I want a replay of this weekend.”
It’s that promise that carries me through the rest of the day.
Going home to my husband? I think I can find some work-life balance for that.