The very last thing I need is to seek out out that I not get to spend time with him and to really feel like I wasted all of it on worries that don’t have to be high of thoughts at this second.

Someday, when he is doing and feeling higher, I’ll stage with him about my emotions for Emma. However not at present.

Chapter Twenty-two

Emma

I am sitting at my desk engaged on a case, after I hear a knock on the door. I assume it’s Clifton, although a second later I ponder why he’d knock.

It’s not Clifton. After I lookup, I see a supply man holding a big bouquet of gorgeous flowers; white Chrysanthemums with pops of colour from pink and purple daisies.

The supply man flashes a good-looking grin and asks me if I am Emma. I nod, and he walks over to put the flowers on my desk. “These are for you,” he says earlier than leaving the room as rapidly as he got here.

I am stunned – and curious. Who would have despatched me the flowers? I imply, Sterling thinks pink roses are actually the one form of flower in existence, so he’s out.

As I research the flowers, I am impressed. They’re lovely, colourful, and scent pleasant. I even have to provide kudos to the flower firm – the flowers are recent, elegant, and cheerful.

All of a sudden, I understand how to inform who despatched these to me. I seek for a card and discover one. The small, white card merely reads, I need to see you underneath the willow tree. Whereas the phrases could possibly be taken as an invite and even an order, I sense they’re truly a clue to who despatched them, and I do know precisely who’s at fault – Clifton.

There is no such thing as a signature on the cardboard, which is smart. There would not be as a result of he does not need anybody on the workplace to know that he despatched them to me. He’s preserving our secret whereas ensuring I really feel seen, beloved, and essential.

And it’s working.

As I sit with the bouquet that smells like spring, I ponder what to do subsequent. I’ve been shutting Clifton down, however not as a result of I am not however as a result of I am unsure what to do subsequent. The overwhelming doubt that I am studying him all mistaken and that plenty of his sudden heat stems from his father almost dying leaves me uncertain if what he feels is actual.

And I need to give issues a attempt between us however not underneath false pretenses. I might hate for him to really feel obligated to me for weaknesses he had whereas his father was doubtlessly on his deathbed. The factor is, if I’ll assume that his chillier habits needed to do along with his father I additionally need to assume his heat comes from the identical place. I don’t need that. I need him to make the selection to be with me with a transparent head.

Perhaps I’m being silly.

And as I have a look at the gorgeous flowers, that sensation grows.

“Lovely,” Melly says, peeking into my workplace. “Who’s your secret admirer?”

I carry each shoulders, although I do know who despatched them. “The cardboard isn’t signed,” I say, as a result of these phrases aren’t a lie.

She lets out a sigh. “So romantic. I want my husband would ship me flowers.” Regardless of her vivid laughter, I sense she’s holding onto actual ache. I make a psychological observe to succeed in out to her hubby and inform him to kick his bottom into gear. Or possibly I’ll ask Clifton to do it so it’s rather less bizarre. Or Anton, as a result of he’s so imposing.

“It’s romantic,” I say with a sigh, touching the mushy blooms with a fingertip.

I take into consideration how uncomfortable I’d been when Sterling despatched me flowers. After all, he thinks pink roses are the one flower in existence. However Clifton… he is aware of my love of flowers isn’t restricted to 1 type and colour.

Clifton is a unique breed; mild, type, and caring. And in addition my boss who has been fearful his dad goes to die at any time. Despite the fact that he is been respectful of my boundaries, my privateness, and my emotions, I nonetheless fear that this all comes from a spot of worry, not love.

“Perhaps sooner or later,” Melly says earlier than leaving.

Whereas I am certain she hoped for gossip for the rumor mill, I breathe a sigh of reduction that Clifton was sensible sufficient to not signal the cardboard. Believable deniability and all that.

I am so misplaced in my ideas that I do not hear Clifton stroll into the workplace we share. “Fairly flowers,” he says, and I smile over at him.

“They are surely.” My coronary heart does a somersault. Coming nose to nose with him, realizing that he despatched these flowers leaves me with an odd feeling of heat and closeness. I need to hug him.

I look on the door, realizing that it is closed and there isn’t any purpose to not give into the urge to hug him. So I rise up and stroll over to him, folding my arms round his shoulders.

“Thanks,” I whisper, wanting him to know that I’ve little question he is the one which despatched the flowers.

“You are welcome,” he whispers again.

“They’re beautiful. You’re too good at this. Who advised you?” I let him go and stroll again over to the flowers to the touch them as soon as extra.

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