Elias' POV

After turning the sign on the door from OPEN to CLOSED, I go back to the computer at the register to see what orders I need to prep in the morning.

"Ugh. Looks like it's going to be another busy day," I mutter to myself, scanning the many names and mentally arranging the bouquets in my head.

The shop smells like a fresh spring morning despite it being mid-evening outside. Mom left hours ago, but because I'm somewhat of a perfectionist about my work, I stayed behind to handle a few last-minute details.

The more work I do, the less work I'll have to do tomorrow. Or at least that's what I've been telling myself. But even as I throw my all into it, my mind will occasionally drift to Clark.

Before Mom left, she'd asked me about him, and when I'd bring him around again. Nervous and surprised by her mentioning him, I stumbled over my words and crafted a lame excuse about his busy schedule.

I really hate how easy lying has become. And I hate how—after going through my mental list of pros and cons about my complicated situationship with Clark—clear the truth is. How clear it's been this whole damn time.

For the longest, I thought keeping my feelings to myself was the way to go. But after way too much overthinking, I realized I was wrong. This thing between Clark and me, this electric fucking connection we've both failed at defeating, is real.

The longer we deny ourselves what we want, the messier things will get. I don't want to run into another misunderstanding where things get so bad I'll end up permanently hating his guts.

So, I've been thinking, why not embrace our feelings and stop playing pretend? Why not give our "relationship" a real shot?

I'm tired of faking it and holding back, especially when he gets playful and touchy. I want to have him like that all the time, not just when we're out putting on a show.

Plus, once Ava's investment comes through and they close their deal, Clark won't have to worry about Ashford Technologies as much.

My heart races at the thought of us having something more than what we have now. Something real.

Shit, wait.

Does Clark even want something serious? Going off his past, he's not exactly the relationship type. I know he likes me back and is attracted to me, but is it enough for us to take it there?

I'm so lost in my head that I nearly jump out of my skin when my phone pings with a new text.

Clark: Look up.

I glance up to see him standing outside, his chiseled features brightened by the streetlights. There's a smirk on his face, his hands in his pockets, and damn if he doesn't look every bit powerful and sexy.

"Coming!" I rush to unlock the door, the CLOSED sign swaying as he steps inside. "Hey, what are you doing here?" I ask as we embrace, his cologne enveloping me. "Not that I don't, you know, enjoy your company."

His grin widens a fraction. "I can't surprise you at work every once in a while, like you do with me?"

"Of course you can. I just wasn't expecting a visit from you this late."

He laughs. "I don't have a bedtime, Elias."

"I know that, smartass." I shove him playfully as we head to the register. Clark leans against the counter, nodding at the computer.

"Working off the clock?" he asks.

"Something like that," I sigh, typing and clicking as fast as I can. "I'm almost done."

"No worries. Take your time."

As I wrap up, Clark wanders the shop. I remain hyper-aware of him, catching the little things like when his fingers brush against the delicate petals or when he leans in to sniff a flower that he's unfamiliar with.

Fifteen minutes pass before I log off with relief.

"Finished!" I announce. "You now have my undivided attention."

Clark strolls back over, his suit hugging him in all the right places. I can't explain how it feels to know he must have come straight from the office to see me.

"Walk with me?" He tilts his head toward the door, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Sure," I reply, my nerves fluttering as I gesture to the exit. "After you."

As I follow him out, my mind races with thoughts of what he might have planned.

I mean, he has to have something up his sleeve. You don't take an impromptu walk with someone, especially this late at night, unless you or they are about to reveal something deep.

The warm air wraps around us as we walk side-by-side, our shoulders brushing occasionally. We make small talk along the way, discussing the new flower shipment I'm expecting next week and Clark's latest win at work.

Streetlights light up the sidewalk and guide our path to the nearby park. Clark leads me to a spot near the water where we can see the moonlight dancing on the ripples. He takes a seat on the grass, patting the spot beside him, and I join him.

"So." I catch the shift in his eyes and notice how they're a softer shade today, more brown than green. "It's been a wild ride, hasn't it?"

I frown, confused. "A wild ride? What do you mean by that?"

"Us." He looks at me. "Our arrangement. It's been a wild ride, don't you think?"

"Oh. Um." I have to tear my gaze away. When I get lost in those eyes, my heart forgets its rhythm and I end up saying stupid shit. "Definitely. Yeah. Do you have any regrets?"

"None when it comes to you." His response is immediate, unwavering. "Outside of us, though, there are some things I might've done differently."

Heat rushes to my face, and I'm grateful for the shadows concealing my blush. Clark shrugs out of his suit jacket and lies back, using it as a pillow. After a moment's hesitation, I do the same with my arms, and we both stare up at the sky.

"I don't have any regrets about you either, by the way," I reply.

"I'm relieved to hear it, considering I haven't been the greatest at communicating these last few days." Clark chuckles.

"Water under the bridge." I wave my hand dismissively. "So, how are things with Ava?"

"Perfect." A contented sigh escapes him. "Contracts have finally been signed. Everything's official."

"That's great!" I exclaim, my excitement genuine. His success feels like mine, too, in some strange way. "I'm so happy for you." I shift onto my side, facing him fully. "How many months did it take for us to get here?" I joke.

"Too fucking many." He mirrors my position, his smile warm. "Wouldn't have happened without you, though."

"Nah." I roll my eyes playfully, even though part of me loves the acknowledgment. "I was just there to look pretty beside you. I did nothing special."

"You don't give yourself enough credit. She really took a liking to you."

"I like her, too. Along with you, she's one of the few rich people who aren't full of shit."

Clark's grin turns mischievous. "You're cute when you get all riled up."

"Hey, I warned you about the sweet talk, so don't even go there," I laugh.

"Why? Is it against the rules to compliment you now?"

His gaze drops to my lips, and suddenly, all I can think about is closing the distance between us to kiss him.

I want it more than anything. I want to tell him everything. "Hey, Clark." My voice trembles slightly, so I clear my throat. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

He blinks. "Good or bad?"

I smile. "It's good, I promise."

"I'm listening." A shrill ring cuts through the moment, ruining it, and killing my courage. Clark sits up, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Sorry. Give me a second."

"Sure. Go ahead." I turned to lie flat on my back again, mentally cursing myself for not doing this as soon as I saw him standing outside the shop.

Something changes in him as he listens to whatever the person on the other end of the phone is telling him. It's nothing good, I suspect. Not from the way his shoulders tense and a curse slips through his lips.

"I just can't believe it. Are you 100% certain about this? I need you to be 100% sure," he asks the caller, panicked. "Right. Fuck! Okay, send me everything you have...Yes, yes, all of it. Right now. No...send it to my personal email."

I sit up slowly, placing a hand on his shoulder as he hunches forward, cradling his head in his hands.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"No, it's not." He lifts his head, exhaling a deep breath. His expression twists with pain and anger. "Everything is far from okay right now."

"What happened? Is it something to do with Ava? Does she want to back out?" A worse thought strikes me. "Or... did the person who threatened you finally snitch to her about us?"

Clark meets my gaze, his eyes cold. "Mark, my private investigator, just gave me a name. I finally know who's been trying to come after us."