Page 45 of Unbalanced

I take a deep breath and return her smile.

“I’ll make the adjustments. You will have the bouquets of your dreams, and they will be delivered next Friday as promised. Take that one with you so you can hold it next to your dress.”

The door opens just as Allie launches herself into my arms, squeezing the literal life out of me.

“Thank you, I know I’ve been a menace, but you really are the best.”

She gives me a wide smile as she pulls back, and a noise I can only describe as a squee, leaves her mouth.

“I can’t wait to tell Jason.”

Allie grabs her purse and practically races for the door.

Something tells me that Jason will not care.

Shaking my head, I look down at the table littered with options and quickly gather them up. I spin around and let out a scream as I ram right into Alden’s chest and bounce back.

His hand snakes around my waist to keep me from falling, but the ribbon, flowers, and color samples drop to the floor. I stare up at the man I can’t get out of my head. It doesn’t matter what I do. Alden looms like a shadow in my mind.

“Hello, Emily,” he says.

Two simple words, and all I see are his sexy lips moving.

“Hi.”

My heart hammers in my chest.

No. Stop this. I look away, step back, then drop down to pick up the fallen items.

Alden squats and grabs a roll of ribbon, twirling it on his finger.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you come in.”

When I hold out my hand, he places the ribbon in my palm. Everything he does feels like an inspection or a test.

“Do you need something?”

“Yes, actually I do.”

His eyes never leave my face, but it feels as if he’s stripping me naked.

I try for casual, but really, I’m bolting when I stand and walk toward my desk. We need to put some room between us. Those eyes, his hands, the heat of his body, me riding him…is it hot in here? I drop everything on my desk and quickly grab my water bottle. If I think stepping behind the counter that clearly states Employees Only will stop him, I’m mistaken.

There he is, blocking my way, hands in his pockets as if he belongs here in my space. The water feels like lava going down my throat.

“I’m hoping you’ll take on the flower arrangements for Rob’s funeral.”

Idiot. Of course he needs flowers. This isn’t about what happened in my apartment.

“Yes, of course. Do you know what you want and where the funeral will be held?”

He steps toward me, and I force myself not to move away like a crazy person.

“Emily, tell me something.” Alden narrows his gaze. “Did you love my brother?”

My jaw drops. That is not what I expect to come out of his mouth. I cross my arms.

“What…why do you want to know that?”