“When you asked at what time I opened the store, did you mean something like, ‘At what time shall I begin making your life miserable?’”

“No, I wanted to walk with you,” I said.

“I’m sure you have work to do. You mentioned something like that yesterday.”

“Almost everything is done. Composed an entire song, picked up Hannah from her mother’s and drove her to school.”

“Tess?” She put on her coat. “Thank you for the tea.”

“She spent the night with a friend.”

“Uh-oh. How did that go?”

“I’ll talk to Tess. The next time she has a party, the answer is no.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re almost done with your day. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to start mine.”

I took her big tote bag and followed behind her.

“You remember inviting me to work with you, don’t you?”

“It was a suggestion, not an invitation. Go back to your life. The weekend is over. You passed the ‘let’s be friends with a female’ test.”

“What’s gotten into you today?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re a little grumpy like someone tried to douse your flame.”

“Mom’s back in rehab. Dad called me an irresponsible daughter.”

“What happened?”

“I wasn’t at home yesterday to receive my drunk mother, and she decided to visit my father instead.” She gave me a hard glare. “While he was entertaining important people. Needless to say, he forced her into rehab.”

“He can’t do that.”

“Oh, but he did. Which means that Mom’s going to come out again and lose her shit within months. Because I bet he made her believe that he still loves her.”

“It’s not your fault,” I took her empty hand and kissed it. “Your parents are adults. Everything they do is their own fucking responsibility.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t make it less painful. I swear Mom has a punch card at the rehab center. Next one is free. It’s just … what if one day she doesn’t look both ways when she’s crossing the street or does something stupid?”

“You can’t worry about things that are out of your control. That’s not something you can fix, sweetheart. Let’s concentrate on today’s deliveries. I might have a surprise for you.”

“What kind of surprise? Are you performing a disappearing act?”

“I won’t disappear, but I’m leaving at two.”

“What are you up to afterward?”

“Dad duty, which includes picking up children and driving them to numerous activities,” I responded. “And while Hannah is at ballet and Tess at acting lessons, I’m going to be recording with Jax.”

“You three are pretty artsy. That sounds like fun.” She opened the door of the shop and disarmed the alarm.

“Where’s Raven?”

“Mommy duties and cross fit,” she said, turning on the light in her office. “She usually arrives around ten and leaves at two.”

“Do you have someone working with you during the evenings?”

“No, I can manage alright by myself. Mornings are our busiest time.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“Are you serious?” She stopped and directed her attention toward me.

“Yes, I’m yours from now until two o’clock. What would you like me to do?”

She exhaled and stared at me for a few beats. “What’s your motive, Mr. Hades.”

“I love when you call me Mr. Hades,” I winked at her. “I can’t wait for you to scream it when I make you come.”

Her tanned skinned darkened slightly, her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

“You’re imagining it too, aren’t you?”

“You want to get fired on your first day, don’t you?”

“I’m hired?”

She tossed her hands up in the air and rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“Where do I start,” I paused, “Boss?”

It didn’t take long for her to set up her working table. She had me printing the orders, and then the cards that went along with them.

“Not a single note worth saving,” she complained when she had me read them. “No hall of famers.”

“What’s that?”

“My scrapbook. That’s where I put a copy of the good ones along with photos of the custom-made arrangements.” Sadie sighed, pulling rolls of ribbon out of boxes, her gaze wandering around the flower shop. “There’s a story behind every new order, and sometimes there’s a special note with such deep meaning that you have to save it.”

I never sent flowers. Sadie was my first, and when I got to the screen where it asked me what I wanted my note to say, I froze for several beats. It couldn’t be something ordinary. Your eyes are beautiful felt like another cheesy line from a teenager. In less than 400 characters I wanted to convey everything, yet sound different.

“Did mine make it into the hall of fame?”

“I’m still debating.” She twisted her lips, checked the list she printed, and walked toward the roses. “The picture of the flowers is in the binder, but the note …” She shrugged.

“What about it?”

Was it because it was something for just the two of us?

“You write lyrics for a living,” she spoke slowly, her attention on the stems of the flowers she was cutting with a knife. “It’s easy for you to throw together a few words, weave them into a line, and make people fall for you.”

“Only when it comes to music.”

She placed the knife on top of the table. Her eyes found mine. “How many times have you sent women flowers?”

“You’re my first, Miss Bell. The first woman I wrote a note to—twice.”

“Do you want to be in the hall of fame?”

“Nope, I only care about being in your life,” I confessed, feeling vulnerable, but safe.

There was no logic to the emotional state I lived in from the moment I set eyes on her. We shared something when I sang, and we looked at each other. Something inside me shifted. Different notes played inside my head, along with the words. She got one thing right, I know how to weave words, but only when I have the right melody. After Sadie though, I could scribble a thousand love poems with a single glance at her.

“You’re persistent, Mr. Hades.” She smiled and moved her gaze toward the flowers.

I had no idea what I was doing, but I didn’t plan on quitting anytime soon.

“I was promised emotion, joy …” I stopped to remember the exact words she said when she described her job but couldn’t remember them all. “Gratification?”

“You’re not a patient man, are you, Mr. Hades?”

“Stop calling me that, Sadie Bell. It makes me horny.” I glanced quickly at her. “You don’t want me horny while driving.”

“Why did I agree to bring you along?”

“I promised to drive while you worked on your bridal proposal.”

“That reminds me, stay quiet, sir.”

“So, how many deliveries do you have on average?” I asked while waiting for the green light.

She tapped her chin with the green mechanical pencil she was using. “Monday is our busiest day of the week.”

“Have you thought about hiring someone else?”

“Not yet. I’m trying to keep my costs low. So far, I’ve managed to handle everything with one part-time employee. But if you want the job, you’re hired …” she paused, and I wished I could take my eyes off the road because I could feel some teasing or bantering remark coming my way. “With no pay or breaks.”

“At some point, I’ll figure out some kind of payment.” I came to a light and turned to her. “You can pay me in kind.”

“Ooh, you went almost two hours without flirting. You were doing so great, Mr. Hades.” My last name coming out of her mouth was my favorite thing. It was music, sex, passion and some other emotions I had never experienced before. “We should have a sexual innuendo jar and charge you a twenty every time you say something inappropriate.”

“Babe, I never bet on anything I know I’m incapable of winning, so no. There’s not going to be a swear jar, teasing jar, or any of that fucked up shit. This is what you get.”

I remained silent for the rest of the ride. That prevented me from flirting or saying something stupid shit like, ‘the van is big enough to fuck in the back.’ I liked her company too much to lose her so fast. A couple of days ago, I didn’t care much about staying within the lines. Every warning and rule had become important. If I fucked up, she’d disappear. I wasn’t ready to let go.

As a matter of fact, I wanted to stay right beside her, watching the radiance every time she smiled. Feeling the warmth in my heart as she beamed with magic. I planned on sticking around as long as I could. At least, until she allowed it.

I needed to absorb just a little more of her light before I recoiled back into darkness.

“Ready for the next delivery, boss?” I parked the van and turned my attention toward her.

Sadie put away her sketchbook and pulled out her iPad, checking the list. “Hmm.” She pressed her lips together while reading. “I don’t like this one.”

“Why not?” I raised an eyebrow.

“I think he cheated over the weekend. He called to order my biggest bouquet of red roses. He paid extra to have it delivered before noon.”

She climbed down from the van and shut the door hard. I guessed she didn’t like cheaters.

“Why do you assume that?”

“The card says, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again,” she said opening the back of the van.

I picked up the arrangement and followed her wondering if flowers could make up for something like cheating. Maybe not the best way to patch up things after screwing other women?

“Hmm, never thought about sending flowers when I cheated.”

Sadie came to a complete stop and glared at me. “You’ve cheated?”

Those eyes stared at me with disappointment, and I could hear the silent, I knew it, he’s an asshole.

“Would it make it better if I said that Alicia did it first—with one of my bandmates?”

“Nope.” She shook her head. “If you don’t love someone, you call it quits before you hurt them. Taking the eye for an eye defense doesn’t make it any better.”

“It wasn’t like that. I assumed we were over and started doing my own thing.” I rang the bell.

“How did that work out for you?” She shot me a glare that I couldn’t understand.

“That’s when the divorce and the custody battle began.” I breathed harshly, looking down at the welcome mat.

I wasn’t proud of my behavior. Sadie was right. I should’ve called it quits instead of assuming, and before I hurt Alicia. Fuck, I shouldn’t have married her in the first place. We hurt each other with words and our behavior. She used the girls as weapons. After two years fighting her—and a lot of money—I got joint physical custody of the girls.

The woman who opened the door was in her mid-forties. She was dressed in yoga pants, a loose sweatshirt, and flip-flops. Her face was made up, but not overdone, and her long blonde hair was pulled back into a messy bun.

She stared at the flowers, then at me. Her green eyes were narrowed, rigid, and hard. “You can tell him to shove the flowers up his ass. If he needs to talk to me, he can contact my lawyer.”

“The flowers aren’t to blame for whatever happened,” I suggested, using the same voice I used when my daughters were distraught.

“You should accept them then, they’ll brighten your day,” Sadie suggested.

“I promise to refund his money. They’ll be a present from me instead,” I added.

The woman raised an eyebrow and studied me for several seconds. Then, she turned her attention to Sadie.

“Is this a joke?” she glanced outside her door toward the van, and then looked up street and down the street. “Where are the cameras?”

“Cameras?” I arched an eyebrow.

“This is a show, isn’t it? You bring a celebrity to deliver flowers and—”

“There’s no show, ma’am,” Sadie glared at me.

“He’s gifting me these flowers that I bet cost a lot.”

“He likes to give things away. If I were you I’d say yes, or he’ll keep coming around,” Sadie said.

“But you’re Kaden Hades, aren’t you?” She narrowed her eyes, studying me.

“Nope,” Sadie denied my identity. “He’s my new driver. Do you think a rock star would be spending his free time delivering flowers?”

Sadie sighed. “That’d be insane, he’d have to be a little crazy if you ask me.” She smirked with an air of satisfaction.

“Well no, I guess you’re right, but he could be his twin.”

“He could, but this one doesn’t have an ego the size of Texas.”

“Yeah, I heard Hades’ package is pretty big.” The woman stared at me below the belt.

“I was talking about his ego, but whatever.” Sadie’s eyes moved to my crotch for a few seconds and her skin darkened. “Anyway, keep the flowers.”

The lady sighed. “They are beautiful, but if I accept them, my husband is going to think that his behavior is okay. He bought a new car without consulting me. A mid-life crisis kind of car and you know what’s next?”

“He didn’t cheat?” Sadie arched an eyebrow.

“No, of course not. I would’ve shot him in the dick if he dared to even think about cheating.”

“How about if I leave the flowers out here. Try to talk this through. Sometimes it’s all about communication,” Sadie said, taking the arrangement away from me and handing them to her. “You two can share the car, talk about what he wants, grow together—not apart. But ultimately, of course, that’s up to you.”

“Do you mind if I take a picture with you?” The woman hadn’t moved her eyes away from me.

“Sorry, I’m not who you think I am.” I hid the sneer and sent a silent plea to Sadie.

Get me out of here.

“Well, thank you for choosing Hummingbird Flower Designs. Have a nice day,” she rushed the words.

Sadie waved at her, grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the van. “Let’s go, baby.”

“Baby?” I tilted my head, once I climbed into the truck. “We’re already using terms of endearment for each other, Pumpkin Bread.”

“Just trying out some of them, Sugar Plum.”

“That’s a girl’s name.”

“Awe, is Snuggle Bunny upset because he didn’t get something manly?”

“No, Honey Bunny. Me and my big ego are fine with a girl’s nickname.” I laughed when I noticed her chewing on her lip and looking outside. “The rumors are true. It’s huge.”

“I don’t want to know, Poopsy Doodle.”

“Poopsy Doodle?” I threw a quick glance at her. “I have to draw the line right there, Muffin Bun. But seriously, that back there was a little crazy, wasn’t it?”

“Kicking him out and filing for divorce because of a car?” She shrugged. “I wouldn’t know, but I guess if you’re going to make such a large purchase you have to discuss it with your partner. How did you handle it with your ex?”

“I’ve never bought anything big. So, I wouldn’t know.”

“You don’t have a big house, a private jet, luxury cars?”

“I don’t splurge. Almost every penny I receive goes to my investment accounts. My goal is to save money because one day I might not be able to play, and I want my kids to be covered. I don’t want to be old and poor.”

“Really, people swear that you live in a big ass mansion.”

“Nope, I live in a three-bedroom apartment. You already saw my truck which is five years old, and my expenses are pretty basic.”

“Your wife?”

“Ex-wife,” I corrected her. “Alicia lives in the first and only house we bought. A three-bedroom home in Capitol Hill.”

“At least she was conscientious with your hard-earned money.”

“Not exactly,” I disclosed. “Alicia never learned how much money I made back then, or now.”

I didn’t trust my ex. She had no idea of my net worth. Once I began to earn enough to save, I kept my expenses to a minimum and put the rest into investment accounts. Her lawyer was too stupid to check my assets, and my lawyer didn’t offer anything.

“Honestly, I have no idea how I’d handle it with Alicia. At least back when we were married. But it’s a car, I don’t see why she lawyered up.”

“Marriages are hard. We don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors.” Sadie sighed.

The silence between us lasted for several blocks. I was about to change the subject, but she spoke first. “Counseling. Did you think about that before the divorce?”

“We hated each other. I don’t think a counselor would’ve helped us at that point.”

“That makes sense,” she agreed with me, which made me feel like less of an asshole for cheating on Alicia.

While we delivered the flowers, I kept thinking about the way I handled my marriage and the divorce. It was a clusterfuck. We both made mistakes. The first one was marrying a woman I didn’t even know.

“When I get married, I’m going to suggest that we have couples counseling at least twice a year. Just to tune things up, you know.”

“Tune it up?”

“Yes, relationships need adjustments. People change. They grow. And when they are in a relationship, they have to also learn to accept the changes and growth of their partners.”

“That’s deep, Muffin. So, you’re going to put the marriage in someone else’s hands and subject it to their opinion, Shnookums?”

“At least once a year to make sure everything is working well, Sugar Booger.”

“Fine. Add it to the rules, Sexy Ass. We’ll go to a counselor to make sure we’re in tune.”

“We don’t talk about asses or how sexy they are, Babycakes.”

Before I parked at our next stop, I realized something. “You’re also a good listener, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You gave her a few relationship tips.”

“A simple suggestion, that’s all I did back there.”

“This delivery shit isn’t so bad, I’m going to make sure that I can fit it into my daily schedule.”

“Or not, Sugar Puss.”

“Cuddles, stop it right there. I’m not the one with the pussy. That’s you.”

“You’re crossing lines, Doodle Bun.”

“It’s hard not to, Sadie Bell.”

“Fine, Love-Cicle, but we have to agree that I won this round.”

“That’s a confusing nickname, and what makes you say that?” I parked the car at our next stop.

“Because I think I won, don’t you?” She turned her body toward me, her smile wide and bright.

“You’re adorable, Little Fairy.” I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Thank you for letting me spend some time with you.”