Chapter Five

Zion, despite my protests, brought me over some lemon bars and a slice of cherry cheesecake not long after leaving. He claimed with glee that he'd put the flower arrangement on the counter right by the checkout point, and already people were complimenting it.

He hesitated in promoting his own delicious goods but he gave me glowing reviews, and a significant portion of my sales were from word of mouth. From Zion's mouth specifically.

I told myself I wouldn't touch the lemon bars or the cheesecake. Instead, I tucked them into my personal fridge in the back and was tempted to throw a lock on the damned thing. I'd been eating so much lately but every time that big teddy bear of a man came in, I gobbled everything up as though I hadn't eaten in a week.

A customer came in and started looking through the cases. "Something I can help you find?" I asked. Learning what occasions brought people in always entertained me. Some came for apologies, like the lion before, and others had a monthly appointment. I loved to see their faces as they picked out just the right bouquet and had me add balloons for a birthday or a particular flower that their loved one desired.

Baby Showers. Weddings. Mating ceremonies and even funerals. I took care in every custom order.

"Have anything to brighten my grandmother's day? I'm traveling to see her in the next town over."

"You're Quinn, right? The healer?" I walked over and knew exactly the right choice. After all, what grandmother didn't like pink roses?

"I am. I haven't seen you before. You're Cicek."

I jutted out my hand to shake his already outstretched one. "I am. Nice to officially meet you. I, um, haven't been sick or pregnant."

He chuckled. "I'm glad you're not sick," he answered, and I noticed he said nothing about the pregnancy. Like others, I assumed he thought all omegas should be in some stages of childbearing. "So, what do you think?"

I reached into the cooler and pulled out my Pretty in Pink bouquet. Magenta and light-pink roses. Champagne tulips and a bit of greenery for show. The vase was crystal and had a large satin rose-pink ribbon around it because I could. "This seems to be a hit with most grandmas," I said, handing it over.

"She will love this. Thank you. She is infatuated with her garden and all kinds of flowers."

Quinn also picked up a bejeweled chain for glasses and a card while he was there, and I threw in a lovely bag to make it all perfect for his visit. The extra touches made the difference and brought customers back. My uncle had taught me well.

By the time Quinn and a few other customers had left, the cheesecake was practically screaming my name. I snuck into the back and grabbed it along with a fork and sat at the computer, ending the workday as I tended to lately—by keeping watch on my ex.

He said he would never let me go without a fight, and I left in a way that would make most people a bit upset. He left for work one day and, while he was gone, I turned off the internet, so he couldn't see me on his cameras and packed everything and left, taking only the essentials.

Derek knew that my uncle's shop was in Oliver Creek, and there was only one florist in town. Me.

I wasn't hard to find.

I created a fake online profile to stalk him, watching his moves, making sure he wasn't traveling or making any posts about me. Derek had never been a physically abusive man, but some of his tactics were. In the beginning, I thought the keeping tabs on my whereabouts was protective and caring. Until he began to manipulate my every move. He started to complain about my friends, saying they were bad influences on me and he didn't want me to be in trouble. He didn't take me out anymore, claiming I had gained weight or he didn't feel well. Before long, I was trapped in a mating where my every move was watched. I even suspected my phone wasn't safe to use.

As soon as I left the city, I threw it into a dumpster outside a big-box store, hoping he'd find it there.

I scanned his profile, finding that he was in clubs and living it up as a single alpha but then a day later making posts about being so lonely and not understanding what he did to lose his mate.

He knew exactly what he had done to lose me. What a crock of shit.

I was closing up for the night when I saw Zion doing the same. Our shops held almost the same hours, and he lived above his store as I did mine.

Some nights, I longed to invite him over for a movie or just to talk, but I thought he might get the wrong idea. A man as sweet and loving as Zion deserved someone to give themselves to him fully. He would make a wonderful father, and a family was not on my agenda.

I turned the sign to closed and locked the door. Oliver Creek had the lowest crime rate in the state, so even if I didn't lock up, nothing would be touched, but why take a chance.

Now, to stop myself from flirting with the cute bear next door. That held far too much risk for us both.