Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Eva
It was Friday and Valentine’s Day, which meant chaos at the flower shop. Sarah delivered all the orders except one, which consisted of three floral arrangements.
She went home sick, so I delivered the three floral arrangements to the Boston Harbor Hotel.
The curly-haired receptionist in a navy dress with the name tag Tonya signed for the flowers.
I put the arrangements onto a rolling cart, pushing it into the breathtaking banquet room filled with gorgeous centerpieces, chandeliers, and flowers hanging from horizontal displays secured to the ceiling.
Tonya helped me place our arrangements on the long table at the front of the room.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the spectacular centerpieces. “May I look at those glass bowls?”
“Sure.” Tonya beamed. “Aren’t they gorgeous? The charity is raising money for the Boston Children’s Hospital.” She leaned into me. “Each plate is fifteen thousand dollars.”
“What?” I gaped at her. “Wow. They must be serving gilded lobsters and diamond-crusted desserts.”
Laughing, Tonya shrugged. “That’s the billionaire lifestyle I’ll never get to experience. But I’m glad the money is going to a wonderful cause. Feel free to browse. I heard the organizer hired an interior designer for it. Take your time. No guests will arrive for another two hours.”
“Thank you.” I walked up to the glass bowl filled with glowing lights.
The bulbs brightened and dulled slowly, adding movement and life to the centerpiece.
I turned to a beautiful, tall vase holding several red calla lilies, creating an elegant presentation.
Inspiration surged as ideas popped into my head to fill my manifestation book.
The sound of wheels squeaking drew my attention toward the entrance.
Two people pushed trays of appetizers to the long table.
My heart raced when I noticed the man with the cross tattoo on his cheek.
Could it be the same guy, or someone who had the same cross tattoo on his face? Were face tattoos popular now?
My stomach churned as I watched him set the table. All of this was just speculation. I didn’t have any proof he’d done anything wrong. I couldn’t just go to security and report him based on my intuition. What if this man were innocent?
I walked out into the lobby and sat in a lounge area, facing the banquet room.
Mind your own business. My shift had already ended, so I could leave to catch up on errands.
But something urged me to stay. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.
Maybe I’d get a closer look at the man when he exited the room.
People arrived in tuxedos and designer gowns, and conversation filled the space.
My heart hammered when I spotted the man who’d asked me out.
He wore a black tuxedo, looking gorgeous and not as flustered as that day in the flower shop.
My eyes slid to the tattoo peeking out from his neck, rising close to his chin.
Why didn’t I notice this the first time?
I’d never dated anyone with a tattoo. They spelled bad boy to me.
It was judgmental, but that was the first thought that came to my mind.
He walked with a beautiful blonde in a red dress that enhanced her curvy features.
My puffy coat, jeans, and fuzzy boots felt out of place.
She smiled up at him, saying something that made him grin.
My loins tightened, remembering the dream from two weeks ago when I’d agreed to date him.
Not only that, but he’d also brought me back to his place for an unforgettably steamy rendezvous.
It appeared he bounced back quickly. Maybe he’d already been dating her when he asked me out, meaning he was exactly like my ex. I didn’t know Dennis was a married man until it was too late. Was I a magnet for jerks?
I didn’t understand the irritation rising in me. This man wasn’t my boyfriend, and I’d rejected him, so he could date whomever he wanted.
I rose to my feet and walked into the banquet room, looking for Cross Tattoo.
One last look wouldn’t hurt. In my simple attire, people would assume I was a vendor working for the hotel kitchen or part of the cleaning staff.
I didn’t care. Surveying the room, I didn’t see Cross Tattoo.
Somehow my eyes found the beautiful man talking to someone in a white tuxedo.
As though he sensed me, he turned in my direction.
His eyes brightened as though no one else were around.
He excused himself from the conversation and walked up to me. “Hello, Eva.”
Goosebumps rose on my body from the guttural sound of his deep voice.
He remembered my name, but I didn’t know his.
“Hi.” I glanced up at his towering height, which made my five-foot-four form feel so small. Gorgeous green eyes studied me as blue flecks glinted from the lights in the room.
Up close, I examined the intricate tats on his neck. I couldn’t tell if the tattoos were an abstract design or part of a larger piece. Did he have it all over his body? The thought intrigued me more than it should have.
Would it be awkward for me to ask for his name?
“Nice to see you, Kain.” A man nodded as he walked with his date in a sequin dress.
“Chat later, Roger,” Kain replied and turned his attention back to me.
But then I saw Cross Tattoo, and anxiety overwhelmed me.
“What’s wrong?” Kain asked, stepping closer.
“Something is off about him.” I jerked my chin toward the corner at the man in the black-and-white uniform. “The one with the cross tattoo on his face.”
Kain’s gaze followed mine. “Why do you say that?”
“I’ve seen him before.” I shrugged. “A bad vibe? I don’t know. I could be wrong, though.”
We both stood watching him move around the room. Then he pushed the cart through a set of doors.
“It’s probably me being paranoid,” I sighed. “Anyway, enjoy your evening. See you around.”
As I turned, an explosion erupted. Before I could react, powerful arms enveloped me as we both dropped to the ground.