Chapter 65
Chapter Sixty-Five
Eva
I took the day off from BeLeaf in Love’s prime location to oversee the counter and flooring installation at the second location inside the Kessler Building.
Business boomed at an unexpected rate, for which I was grateful.
Avery and Hailey were now part-time employees, helping me at the flower shop.
Natalie LaRue recommended my services to her friends, so I’d taken on a few events.
The second shop was next to Mimi’s Healthy Eating some were created through awful circumstances.
“Still thinking about him?” He rubbed a hand on my back, reading my internal struggle.
“I can’t help it,” I said. “I know I should just forget it all, move past what happened, but I need to make sense of it.”
“Take your time.” Kain placed his hands on my shoulders. “You’ve been through hell in only a few months. Most would’ve locked themselves in at home, not wanting to deal with the world.”
“That’s because I have you.”
“And you’ll always have me. Come here.” He took my hand, leading me to a seating area by the large windows overlooking the street.
The potted plants on the floor and those hanging from the ceiling transformed the place with more colors and textures—and life. The warm, modern shade softened the atmosphere, making it more welcoming.
“You were trapped in that same dark place for years, but you didn’t turn out like him.” I sat on a long bench with a soft cushion.
“His sister was dying and needed a new heart.” Kain caressed my hand with his thumb. “Entirely different motivations between us.”
Motive was everything. Tony had one reason to keep going: to save his sister at all costs.
I could sit here all day, wondering what drove people to commit crimes, and I’d get nowhere.
I’d rather focus on what inspired people to achieve their dreams, what gave them hope, and what inspired them to love.
The search for Hawthorne and his followers was still ongoing. Kain and his friends had their team looking out and about. I didn’t want to waste my life worrying about what-ifs. Kain and I had each other, and no matter what came at us, we’d endure it together.
“Why are you always right?” I kissed his cheek.
“Because I’m older and wiser.” His eyes glinted with mischief. “I know everything, and that means you should obey my every order.”
“Dream on, Tattooed Titan.” I snorted and squeezed his forearm, wondering when I should ask him to ink me.
A serious expression tugged at his face. “We were destined to meet. Fate wove through our lives like a vine growing inside a forest, connecting and pulling so many things together.”
I’d thought about that many times. How he knew Grandpa, and how I was friends with Stori, who was the younger sister of his friend Hudson. Life could be magical, even if it sometimes didn’t seem that way.
“That’s a beautiful way of describing it. I’d like to believe we were meant to be together. You can’t get rid of me.” I kissed his cheek.
“I’d never want to.” He kissed me on the lips, then drew back.
“Your grandfather was at the flower shop picking up a bouquet of roses when I checked on the additional cameras. He invited us over to dinner at your apartment tomorrow.” He smiled.
“We’re back full circle. It all started when he invited me to your place for lunch, and now it’s dinner. ”
“I forgot to tell you he’s seeing Camila. I guess they fell for each other over bingo.”
“Does that mean he’s staying in Brookline?”
I nodded. “But he’s also keeping his home in New Hampshire.”
“Move in with me,” Kain said. “Then he can have your apartment all to himself.”
I considered his offer, studying his handsome face. Those intense green eyes that looked like jade were trained on me, and I saw myself in them. I saw my life with him.
I’d spent more time at Kain’s place than at my apartment. But was it too soon?
“It’s not too soon.”
I swore this man could read my mind.
“We’re in love, so it makes sense for you to make sure I’m not lonely in my penthouse.” He pulled our joined hands to his heart, pretending to look distraught. “I can’t live there all by myself.”
I grinned at his charm. “I’ll think about it.”
“If you say yes, I have some gifts for you.”
“Like what?”
“One gift is you get to look at my middle finger.” He winked and demonstrated its talent, making my core tighten. “It loves you very much.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing.
His proposal had run through my thoughts when Grandpa started dating Camila.
After my grandmother passed away, he didn’t want to see anyone for the longest time.
Now that he had a companion, I was thrilled for him.
With Camila around, I didn’t have to worry about him all the time.
My apartment was perfect for him because it was on the first floor.
“If you’re worried about his safety, don’t be. I bought your apartment building. He can live rent-free.”
“What?” I gaped at my insane boyfriend, buying random things just because he could. “Why?”
“What do you mean, why? I’m a savvy businessman. If I want to keep my woman safe, then I must buy her apartment complex. I’m installing new cameras all over the building.”
I didn’t want to waste energy arguing about what he should and shouldn’t buy. I just didn’t want him to lose money because of me.
“Thank you for always being a few steps ahead of me, thinking about everything.”
Kain had entered my life, showing me the potential of my heart and helping me achieve my dreams—my flower shop and love.
There was no other man who loved me like him.
He was the strong and protective partner I’d always wanted.
But he also had an adorable side that made me laugh.
Love and laughter were the accented pieces in a floral arrangement.
Without them, the bouquet lacked its luster.
“It’s because I love you.” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “If we live together, you have access to me day and night. We can have afternoon nookie.”
“You just want afternoon nookie.”
“Who wouldn’t?” He smirked. “My dream is to get some afternoon nookie from you every day.”
With warmth in my chest, I cupped his face, squished it together, and kissed him. “All right, afternoon nookie it is.”
“Wise decision.” Joy brightened his face. “Now, let’s look at your gifts.”
“What have you been up to?” I looked at him.
“You asked me to design some tattoos for you.” He took out his phone and opened his photos. “See if you like them.”
“You remembered.” Joy bloomed in me.
“I pay attention to my love.”
I studied the three intricate designs. The first image showed a beautiful passionflower at the center with pretty thorns around it.
The second artwork portrayed four passionflowers surrounding a black rose, with vines and thorns connecting them.
The last image depicted a passionflower with leaves and curly vines, simple yet striking.
“I love them all, but for my first tattoo, I want this.” I pointed to the art with the four passionflowers surrounding the black rose. “The art shows pain healing love, and love healing pain. Beauty in darkness. It’s us.”
“Where would you like it?” His eyes gleamed. “I can put it anywhere you want.”
“Not sure yet. Can I get the other sketches printed so I can frame them?”
“Sure.”
“Thank you.” I kissed his forehead, cheek, and lips. “Since you’ve been so accommodating, let me show you how I can take care of my man of a certain age.”
A roar of laughter erupted in The Marketplace. People glanced at us, but I didn’t care.
Smiling, I got to my feet, dragging him with me. “We can explore places that should be inked. What say you?”
“Hell, yeah.” His lips curled into a wicked grin. “This man of a certain age can’t wait to explore you. But first, you need to see your other gifts. Let’s go to the penthouse.”