Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Their faces fall as they look around.
“You can stay in the shop with us, you can sit here on the couch and read a book or you can go out the back to the office and hang there. Hell, you can even work and learn to serve customers if you want.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
I smile. “Jonty, meet Stefan and Philippe. They are going to hang out in the store with us from now on, and this is Helene.”
“Hello.” Jonty shakes their hands. “I guess, welcome aboard.”
“Merci.” Philippe smiles, he seems embarrassed and unsure what to do.
“I’m making coffee,” Jonty calls as he heads out the back.
“I can do it,” Philippe calls.
“Or I could,” Stefan offers.
“Yeah, okay, come and I’ll show you where everything is.”
They head out the back with Jonty. “What’s going on?” Helene mouths.
“Edward and I got back together last night. He professed undying love.”
“He did?” Her eyes widen in shock. “He actually said he loved you?”
“Uh-huh.” I beam. “I’m quietly optimistic.”
“You know I was a real bitch to him when you were away.”
I giggle. “I heard.”
“Great, so now he’s going to hate me.”
“He’ll warm up.” I smile as I look around the store.
“So what’s with the guards in the shop?”
“I don’t know, but I can’t have them stand out the front any longer.”
I swipe through to the next invoice and glance at the clock on the wall of my office: 3 p.m.
Three hours until I see him.
I hear the bell over the front door. “I have a delivery for a Miss Alora Sorenson,” I hear a voice say.
Huh?
I glance up from what I’m doing, who’s that?
“Oh my god,” Jonty gasps. “I’ll go get her.”
His head pokes around the corner. “You have a delivery.” He laughs as he twists his hands together in excitement.
“She’s going to freak.” Helene laughs out loud.
“What is it?”
“Wait until you see.” He hunches his shoulders and I poke my head around the corner to see a delivery man with the biggest bunch of red roses I have ever seen.
“Alora Sorenson?”
“Yes.”
“These are for you.”
“Oh my.” My mouth falls open in surprise. “What the hell?”
“Sign here, please.” He gives me an iPad and I digitally sign for them. He passes me the giant crystal vase and I struggle to hold it up. “Have a nice day.” He disappears out the front door.
“Holy fucking shit. It’s a Lalique vase,” Helene cries. “The vase alone is worth a fortune.”
I put them down on the front counter and open the envelope to read the card.
From the day we met.
Edward xx
“Ahhh,” I cry as I hold the card to my chest.
“Fucking hell,” Jonty murmurs as he looks them over. “He doesn’t mess about, does he?”
I hold the card back to my chest. “My sweet Edward.” I glance over and see Philippe and Stefan smiling broadly as they watch on, oh crap, I forgot they were here. “You don’t tell him anything you hear around here, will you?” I warn. “You’re on my side now and anything that comes out of my mouth is top-secret information.”
“I won’t.” Philippe holds his two hands up with a chuckle. “Sweet Edward? You must have another Edward somewhere, though, because our boss is anything but sweet.”
I laugh as I look over the roses, huge, big heads with the most perfect perfume.
“How many are there?” Jonty asks as he counts. “Twenty-four.” He lets out a low whistle. “These would have cost a pretty penny.”
Gah…. I’m giddy.
I grab my phone. “I’ll be back in a moment.” I head out the front door as I dial his number.
“Hello,” his deep English voice answers.
“I just got a really beautiful bunch of red roses delivered.” I beam.
“Who were they from?”
“From this really hot guy I know.” I unapologetically swoon through the phone. “Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.” I can tell that he’s smiling too.
“It means a lot.” And suddenly I feel overemotional, teary even. For so long I dreamed about us and now it’s….
“I’ll be home to pick you up around six,” he tells me.
Home.
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
I practically float back into the store and read my card again and again.
From the day we met.
Edward xx
I feel like I’m in a fairy tale.
The day has been hectic and we’re here late, still moving furniture around to try and fit the large shipment of the furniture that arrived today.
The bell above the door rings and I glance up to see Edward, he’s wearing a charcoal suit and the look he gives me could set the place on fire.
“Good evening, Mr. Prescott.” I smile.
“Hello.” He kisses me on the cheek as he takes my hand in his.
Helene walks around the corner. “Oh.” She rolls her eyes in a dramatic way. “Hello, Mr. Prescott,” she says sarcastically. “Still don’t like me?”
“No.” He looks at her deadpan. “I don’t, actually.”
She smiles at his reply. “And how long are you not going to like me for?”